We Can Do This

I am inspired after Saturday's presbytery meeting. I am inspired by the passion of Bob Bardin for integrity, of Michelle Henrichs for the scriptures, and the passion of Nikki Blanks for young people. Christian Boyd led worship with energy and creativity. Our keynote presenter and speaker, Rodger Nishioka reminded us that we can have congregations that reach out to young adults in our community, and that we are authentically relational. "We can do this! We are built for this!"

Fall is the time when congregations assess the previous year, and prepare for what God is calling them to do in 2015. They are gearing up our Christian Education programs, deciding our stewardship goals, opening worship calendars, and spiffing up the buildings and grounds of their churches. My question is, how many of us are setting goals? How many people do we want in the Sunday School? How many visitors do we want to grace our worship services? What do we want our membership rolls to look like at the end of the year? How much income do we want to raise in offerings, pledges, and tithes?

Many of our leaders are uncomfortable with setting goals. Although we have goals at work, at home, and even for our health, when it comes to the church, goal setting is often absent. Perhaps it is because we believe God will provide what we need. Or perhaps we think goals are too carnal or secular and have no place in the church. Setting goals in the church may seem impossible because we cannot control all of the variables; we cannot determine what people will or will not do.

I wonder if our resistance to goal setting is based on fear: we are afraid we will not achieve them. We are afraid we are going to fail.

The presbytery meeting gave me a glimpse of what it will take for us to have the courage to set goals, and achieve them. It will take individuals with passion. It will take leaders with vision who believe we can achieve what we strategically plan to do. It will take members who buy into the mission of the congregation, and are committed to giving their resources- time, talent, and treasure, to achieve that mission.

"People need a vision big enough to matter and small enough to achieve."

Pastors, we can do this! Sessions, we are built for this! Members, you have the passion to invite, engage, and connect people with your congregation!

May the Holy Spirit lead and guide each of our congregations as they plan with faith for 2015.

Rev. Craig M. Howard

(To respond to Craig, go to [email protected])