THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK...
Don't get side tracked!!
My denomination is in the throws of consternation on a couple of issues. Those issues are causing cracks and chasms throughout our group. My thoughts are should this be? Most of us have pretty set thinking on these dividing issue. I am not going to enumerate the issues because I believe the real issue is beyond these issues. {wow, that was a double talking thought!}
Our church (Presbyterian Church USA) has a Book of Order, in addition to the Book of Confessions, which governs our activity. Yes, there is some elongated parts but the real nuts and bolts is stated in the "Great Ends of the Church." These, which appear in the opening portion of the B of O, call us to ministry and to be a people of God. The rest of the B of O is the how and the why. The B of O speaks in clear statements and until changed it is the "law of the land."
At First Presbyterian, Mt. Vernon we are focusing on doing church as prescribed. Our Session will meet shortly to shore up some loose ends, our committees are progressing to do ministry and harness the potential of our people. As pastor I am even more committed that we deliver a service of worship that honors God but relates to the world in which we minister. To do so I am committed to practical, faithful exposure to the Bible, of which in the B of O we declare to be our authority, and to bring music and activity that makes one glad they came. Disclaimer: Church is not always a place of warm fuzzy. It is also a place of correcting our course of life.
Years ago in the days of early television Ronald Reagan was host of the GE Theater and when he advertised General Electric he used the byline "Progress is our most important product." At First Presbyterian we are seeking to progress and not be deterred by the fracturing issues.
Our church (Presbyterian Church USA) has a Book of Order, in addition to the Book of Confessions, which governs our activity. Yes, there is some elongated parts but the real nuts and bolts is stated in the "Great Ends of the Church." These, which appear in the opening portion of the B of O, call us to ministry and to be a people of God. The rest of the B of O is the how and the why. The B of O speaks in clear statements and until changed it is the "law of the land."
At First Presbyterian, Mt. Vernon we are focusing on doing church as prescribed. Our Session will meet shortly to shore up some loose ends, our committees are progressing to do ministry and harness the potential of our people. As pastor I am even more committed that we deliver a service of worship that honors God but relates to the world in which we minister. To do so I am committed to practical, faithful exposure to the Bible, of which in the B of O we declare to be our authority, and to bring music and activity that makes one glad they came. Disclaimer: Church is not always a place of warm fuzzy. It is also a place of correcting our course of life.
Years ago in the days of early television Ronald Reagan was host of the GE Theater and when he advertised General Electric he used the byline "Progress is our most important product." At First Presbyterian we are seeking to progress and not be deterred by the fracturing issues.
Posted by gene at 10:10 AM | Link | 0 comments
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