Pastor’s Pen: [ September 11 ] Missions Celebration 8:15 and 10:45am Sanctuary
[ September 12 ] Upward Registration Begins [ September 16 ] Parents Night Out 6:00pm Gym
@fbcjc @fbcjcmo FBCJC FBCJC
Could we talk about change? It's coming. We have moved past the easy part of our visioning process, Imagine If. It was easy because dreaming doesn't cost us anything. Now, as we transition into the implementation of those dreams (called Setting Sail), some tough choices await us. We will all be called on to put on our big boy/big girl pants, set aside our personal comfort and preferences and choose the Kingdom of God. This may be startling news to some of you: The challenges facing FBC JC, namely reaching new generations for Christ and the Church, are so big that incremental change won't cut it anymore. Minor tweaks here and there are not enough. Major surgery is required. Will it be difficult? Yes. Will it be worth it? Absolutely! I read recently, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." Amen! Noted author and church historian Diana Butler Bass spoke last June at our CBF General Assembly in North Carolina. Her words were relevant to our congregation. She made three points: 1) Great journeys are often difficult ones. 2) With risk comes fear, and the only antidote to fear is courage, not anger or retreat into the past. 3) The best is yet to come, but we must redefine "the best." The best may not be the biggest (as in our halcyon days of SBC life in the 1940's-1980's). She encouraged us to let go of our sense of entitlement and when we fail, keep trying new things and new ways. Being the biggest, the most influential, the most successful--these things don't matter. What matters is following Jesus. I would add to her profound words that God is not bound to act as God has in the past. Our Creator-Redeemer is always working in new ways. I don't know about you, but I want to be in on that. So, FBC JC family, are we interested in reaching people--no matter the cost? Do we trust the Holy Spirit? Will we follow Jesus Christ? Or is that just talk? A personal note: An important component of any organizational transformation is consistent leadership. Some of you who are good at math have figured out that I will turn 65 years old on Dec. 31. Here it is in plain English--the Lord willing, I'm not going anywhere. I am blessed with good health, lots of energy and a genuine joy and excitement about what God is doing in this place. I plan to be your senior pastor for a long time. Sixty-five is just a number. I'm in this for the long haul. Will you join me? Grace,