Pastor's Perspective for January

As we look forward to a new year, it’s a good time to take stock of where we’ve been and think about where God is calling us to go.        

It was exciting to see the newspaper coverage of our Nativity Scene which we put on in Peterson Park. This year we joined with other churches as way to reach out to our community through Nativity Scenes in the Park. I don’t know if it was our carolers or Janie the donkey that got us on the front page – but, whatever it was, it served as a gentle reminder to me that we must be doing something right!

As a matter of fact, there are a lot of things that we’re doing right. If I were to try to list them, I’m sure that I would leave something out. So let me just say that I am proud of the many ways in which our church is being faithful in ministry to what God has called us to do.

I wonder what God has in mind for us to do in 2012? I am sure he wants us to keep up the good work, but I would be surprised if he doesn’t also have some new things for us. We need to be flexible and creative to find out what those new ministries might be.

I once read a “Shoe” cartoon in the newspaper that reminded me of how easy it is to get into a rut. A gypsy is on the phone to Tech Support: “I’d like to speak to someone about a crystal ball on the fritz,” she says. “What seems to be the problem?” asks the technician. “My tomorrow is stuck in yesterday,” she replies.

It’s easy to get stuck in yesterday, and in order to break out we may need to think “outside the box.”

About this time last year I was watching the Tournament of Roses Parade on television when I heard the announcer say something unusual: “Coming up next is The Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band.” It took me a minute for this statement to register. “How can there be a Marching Band at the School for the Blind?” I wondered. But, sure enough, there they came! Each musician was accompanied by a sighted person. What an inspiration they were! Someone at that school was definitely thinking “outside the box.”

People’s needs do not change much. We have to find a reason for living. We need a community to belong to. Basic material needs must be met. People’s needs do not change much…but the way we address those needs may vary greatly as time passes and the world changes. How does our church connect with the people God has called us to reach in our community during this next year? Let’s approach that question with imagination and prayer and see what the answer may be.