A New Resolve for an Old Resolution

     In less than a week my youngest son, Matthew, will graduate from University of North Carolina - Charlotte. Saturday's graduation celebration will set a significant milestone in an era of parenting for Sue and I as we will mark formally the transition of the last of our three children out of school and into a more independent future. We have willingly and lovingly sacrificed much to parent our children from infancy into young adulthood. The journey has been filled with wonderful memories as well as a number of sorrows.

    I share that story as a backdrop for this January newsletter article to give context to the direction that Messiah's leadership is choosing to lead as we begin a new year. In what I believe was a significant and very meaningful meeting, Dec. 15th, of the Board of Vision and Planning - a board made up of the Chairman of all seven of Messiah's Ministry Boards - it became more and more apparent during discussion that Messiah needs to get back to its vision of birthing a new church in Weddington. Or, to put it another way, we need to make a new (year's) resolution to get back to what we resolved over a year ago to do.

    Just like being a parent, birthing and nurturing a new ministry takes significant time, energy, money and commitment. Parenting is not an avocation or a hobby. It takes significant focus and conscious commitment. During those years of nurturing, parents make a number of sacrifices as they focus on what the child needs. So also, as Messiah commits to birthing a mission in Weddington, we will make sacrifices that will entail delaying major projects that we might want to do around here. The time will come, when the mission "comes of age" that we may be able to take up those projects again.  

As your Board of Vision and Planning debriefed the "Stepping Out in Faith Call to Ministry" results along with the congregational meeting December 7th, consensus of your leadership began to build around our focused support of Weddington. A letter has gone out to all those who made a SOIF (Stepping Out In Faith) commitment encouraging them to keep their commitment in spite of the need to alter the plan. The letter states that, unless otherwise designated, all monies will go toward our financial commitment of $140,000 to Weddington, after which time, all monies will go into a building fund to be used to construct needed facility expansion here at 8300 Providence road.

   Whether you have made a commitment to STOIF or not, I would like to encourage you to consider committing to the birthing and nurturing of the mission in Weddington. I would like to ask you to give of your time, talent and treasure, to give of your interest, attention and prayer. For those of you that would like to make a monetary contribution, there will be envelopes made available to you. And if you should wish to make a financial commitment, please let the office know and we will get a pledge card and offering envelopes to you as well.

   Now that our youngest child has grown into a young adult, Sue and I can begin to consider new directions for our time and energies. That holds some excitement for us but also some sadness. There is excitement in the freedom but sadness as we experience an ever decreasing interaction with our children. So also in birthing a new church, there will be times of excitement and sadness. May God gives us the heart of love and courage to see past the sadness and sacrifice to the joy of being a part of a new life.