From Pastor Seth
(from the July/August 2010 issue of The Beacon)
It's Summer !!!!
What a blazer of a summer it has been. I normally do not complain much about the weather, but this has been a bit too warm even for me. Just give it a few months and I will be whining about the cold, I am sure.
Despite the heat, it has been an eventful summer for Ware's Chapel. We had a wonderful Vacation Bible School this past month and I could not be more pleased with the attitudes of the servants and the response of the children and families. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all who helped and supported this vital ministry. Can you believe that we, as a church led by the children, purchased 22 pens of chicks that will go out into the world and make a difference in the lives of the impoverished? This is what it means to be an active community of God. Wow, think of the dozens of lives, possibly hundreds, which will be changed because of your faithfulness.
The children's response to the Heifer International project has me reflecting on what it means to have the unwavering faith of a child. Jesus was very clear that to be true children of God, we all need to trust and love like children. Just watch your children and grandchildren when you have the opportunity. They love and trust with such innocence and passion -- is it any wonder that Jesus pointed us to them as an example of how to be Christian? We are also called to mature in our faith and learning. So, we are to love and trust as children, but learn and explore our faith as adults ... this Disciple of Jesus stuff is tough at times, isn't it?
The economic downturn has the entire conference strapped and in crisis mode, yet Ware's Chapel remains faithful in its attendance, mission, and giving. I am so blessed to be a part of this congregation. In the past few months, the West Ohio Conference has lost well over 40 full-time pastoral appointments. What this means is congregations are feeling the economic pinch and many are cutting back on staff and moving to part-time appointments for their pastors. I do not believe this is entirely a bad thing. Unfortunately, pastors can fall into the trap of doing just enough to get by as well. We are human. What this tells me, though, is that God is giving his church the opportunity to respond to the economic times with faith and ingenuity. How do we stretch our dollars in order to make the most impact on our communities and the world? How do we structure our worship, programs, mission, and ministry to most effectively reach the lost and the unchurched? These are the questions facing the entire church at this point, and we need to continue to respond faithfully as we have been, but also look to new ways to engage those outside of our walls.
The coming months will be exciting. We are starting a worship design team that will assist me in not only designing worship services and sermon series, but also looking at ways to more effectively connect those inside and outside the church with God. We will continue to spruce up some of our spaces. This started with the painting of the basement, and will continue with redressing spaces such as the overflow and LeFevre rooms. I look forward to all of your ideas on how to best utilize our spaces, design meaningful worship, increase our programs of Christian learning, reach out in mission and ministry, and make an inviting, engaging, and meaningful sanctuary to all who seek truth at Ware's Chapel.
God Bless You All,
Pastor Seth.
