Christmas season will never be the same for me. Exactly a year ago we moved here! December 21st we arrived to London to start a new page in our lives and ministry. Today I am looking back at the year past rejoicing for the accomplishments of both churches in London. We have built relationships and discovered each other’s passion, strength and uniqueness.
Reviewing the past year I am encouraged to recognize that:
- we have empowering, directing and spiritual LEADERSHIP,
- we build loving, lasting and significant RELATIONSHIPS.
- we experience passionate personal SPIRITUALITY.
- we enjoy effective and functional STRUCTURES.
- we begin to develop and steward gift-oriented MINISTRIES.
- we WORSHIP in an inspiring genuine and participatory way
In the next 6 months we will begin to equip our congregations for
- Need oriented strategic EVANGELISM.
- Community development through HOLISTIC GROUPS.
Half a year ago we had began the Natural Church Development (NCD) Process only to get through the diagnosing part, and to begin our first implementation steps. However, much more remains to be discovered. The emphasis this year will be on learning biotic principles of growing healthy churches, learning to think and make decisions for mutual benefit.
As I look forward into the future I am encouraged to know that God is leading His People every step. Psalmist David reminds us that steps of the godly are directed and ordered by the LORD (Psalm 37:23)
We have met recently with the elders to discuss plans for preaching and leading the Church into 2006 and we agreed to set aside the first quarter to focus on understanding the changing world around us in order to reach the postmodern generation. Then for the rest of the year we will reaffirm what we believe by preaching and explaining our fundamental beliefs. We ought to be reminded that the Truth we believe is not an Abstract Idea, but the Real Person.
Even as the world celebrates the Birth of Christ we are reminded that the Mystery of Ages is not a philosophy or a worldview, but the Person, the Son of God who seeks intimate relationships with His Creation. “Truth” has no independent status outside of relationships and obligations we have with God and others. To BELIEVE is to BELOVE. As we grow in FAITH so will we grow in LOVE. As we continue developing strong Loving Relationships in our churches my main emphasis in my ministry this coming year will be Youth and Children of the Church.
