It’s time for our Mid-Week Meet-Up! I wanted to continue my thoughts from last week’s email, following up on the Faith Forward Vision Retreat. I emphasized the fact that identity must precede behavior. Before we can decide where we’re going as a church and how we plan to get there, we have to understand who we are. Toward this end, the members of the Vision Team spent a large part of the retreat telling our most meaningful memories of the church, recounting stories of our “unsung heroes,” and talking about what makes FPC different from other churches in positive ways.
I’d like to share with you some of the things I shared during the retreat. As a pastor, I feel that one of my greatest responsibilities is giving people reasons to trust in Christ. This responsibility is also one of my greatest joys. I interact with a lot of people in the church throughout the week – conversations after worship, over coffee, at lunch, in my office, at a committee meeting, in someone’s home, in a hospital room, or just in passing. Some of my most meaningful memories at the church are when, during one of those conversations, I can see a light burning brighter in their eyes because their relationship to Christ is moving more from a place of belief and into a place of trust. In those moments when someone realizes that God is more than simply an idea to believe in but a person they can rely on; or when someone discovers the joy and wisdom of simply being present to God in prayer because God is becoming a person they love; or when someone gains new clarity about who God is and what God wants them to be doing with their lives – those moments are among the most meaningful moments I have experienced at our church. This is a church where people are growing in their faith, and that is a beautiful thing.
Another very meaningful memory for me was back in April 2022 when most of my family and I had COVID and some of the congregation brought us meals during that very stressful time. It is sometimes hard to ask for help. It is especially hard as a pastor to ask for help from the congregation I’m leading. Allowing myself to be helped and loved by this congregation was incredibly special. This is a church where people show their love and commitment to each other, and that is a beautiful thing.
There are many other memories I could share, and I know you have memories of your own. As I did last week, I encourage you to share your own most meaningful memories with a member of the Vision Team whenever you’re in a committee meeting, gathering for choir practice, chatting after worship, or at any other time. Your feedback will help the Vision Team as they convene for their second retreat on October 21 and 22.
Let’s continue growing in faith and in the love of Christ.
Peace to you,
Pastor Aaron