This is an intriguing book which I am working through. It sure does make you think! Today's gem:
"People need vision and they need hope. Their very souls seek some conduit for meaning." (p.41)
Vision, hope and meaning. I am challenged to see that our church is pointing people in a direction where they gain all three in a God honoring manner. SMJ
One of the books I am reading presently is "Church Unique - How Missional Leaders cast Vision, Capture Culture, and Create Movement" by Will Mancini. In it he says this: "On the needs-based slippery slope, leaders are constantly trying to meet people's needs and expectations within the church. With the leaders' cruise control set to "react," thoughtful leadership becomes unnecessary because there is always a persistent parade of needs to be answered. The vision of the church is reduced to making people happy."
Wow. SMJ
Each year at Christmas the elder board and I visit each of the widows in our congregation. It is such a pleasant time to sit and talk and pray with them. This year we had 15 on our list. That's amazing! It is almost 10% of our total weekly attendance. These ladies are so encouraging. I think that I get more out of visiting them than they do. I am blessed by their life stories, the recounting of their families or seeing their hobbies and collections. I recommend that you seek out and get to know some of the widows in our congregation! SMJ
Family Matters is where I will post (usually on Wednesdays) about things happening in our church family.
Well, my daughter has made the All-State Orchestra! Not only that, she has made the Symphony Orchestra, which is the higher of the two All-State Orchestra's. Now we just are hoping it doesn't snow the weekend of February 11-14 when we hope to be in Fort Collins listening to her perform. SMJ
