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Moore's Messenger - April 1983

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From The Pastor's Study

We stand at the threshold of a new and significant journey that I believe we are about to make together. On April 17th we will have a Church Conference after the worship service to vote on the building program. I am sensitive to the fact that we haven’t voted yet, but I want to share with you the signs that I see that affirm our proceeding together in this work.

First of all, the program that is about to be put before all of us has received careful, thoughtful and thorough attention by the leadership of the congregation.  This is no sudden new idea, but an idea that has been generated from within the congregation for several years. As an idea, it has been one that has stirred many of your brothers and sisters to dream dreams of a future in which we proclaim our readiness to grow both inwardly and spiritually, and outwardly in terms of evangelism and mission. Also, as an idea, it has been worked with long and hard, it has been carefully debated, and it has matured into the sound and worthy plan that shall be before us on April 17th. We are indeed indebted to Phil Johnson and the Building Committee for their leadership, and careful stewardship regarding the plan. We can also thank our Administrative Council for the thoughtful time and attention they have given to the plan. We have laid a solid and conscientious foundation in our planning which is one of the good signs we need to recognize.

Another of the signs that point favorably to the affirmation of this project has been the response of the congregation. When I tell colleagues that we have received pledges totaling $45,000 of the needed $80,000, I often find surprise followed by compliments, that we have responded so well without the use of a well developed and organized financial campaign that is often used in other churches. This response is another favorable indication of our readiness.

Considering these two encouraging facts, I would like to direct your attention to one other aspect of what we seem ready to do. We bring to God careful plans and an enthusiastic financial commitment. Now we need also to submit ourselves prayer-fully to Him, for what He has in mind for us if we make this decision for growth.  It is not the growth that we have in mind that is crucial here, but the growth God has in mind. For surely the energy, devotion, and enthusiasm that has been stirred up in us is a gift from God and we need to give attention to its deepest meaning.  To help us focus on God’s will for our growth, I shall be preaching from the book of Acts, which is the best Biblical description we have of congregational growth that comes from God. The lessons, and the dates I will preach on them, will be listed elsewhere in this newsletter. I also invite you to join with me in the church on April 10th at 7:30 p.m. for a service of prayer concerning our building program. May God grant us wisdom, vision, and loving concern for each other as we approach this decision on April 17th.

Grace and Peace,
Mark Palmer