Your Leaders Have Launched into the future

YOUR LEADERS HAVE LAUNCHED INTO THE FUTURE
 
Bethel’s leaders took a first step into our church’s future this past Saturday.  At a meeting of Deacons, Elders, and Managing Elders held October 1, we surveyed the things we are anticipating for this year.  Here is a brief overview of what we discussed:

• We affirmed that strong relationships will be our priority.  We did this by committing ourselves to the leaders’ covenant that we have been working on for the last year.  In essence, it says that in our work together as Council we will model the relationships of love that we want for all of Bethel Church.
• We made a plan to tackle a big issue:  We set November 9, as the date for a meeting to discuss the Bible’s teaching about same-sex attraction and ministry to same sex attracted people.  This is a delicate issue, and it is important that Council give leadership.
• We oriented ourselves to the Church Renewal Lab. Council members learned about how they will connect with the group of nine Bethel members who will attend the Renewal Lab seminars over the next two years.  We lovingly call this group our Dream Team since they will “dream up” ways to turn the Renewal Lab’s teachings into practical strategies for our church to grow deeper in faith while reaching out to those far from God.  All Council members received the book From Embers to a Flame. We will all read this as part of this journey of renewal. 
• We talked about Pastor Ryan’s future.  Ryan will be completing his seminary studies in April, and then will be available for a call to the pastorate.  We believe Ryan is an important part of Bethel’s ministry, so the Managing Elders are proposing that Bethel call him as our fully ordained, Associate Pastor. We look forward to further discussion about this with the Full Council and then with the congregation!
• We looked ahead to our anniversary year.  2019 will mark Bethel’s 40th anniversary year.  40 is a significant number in the Bible and we want it to be a significant year for our church.  We want to look to the past with appreciation, but we also want to look forward to the wonderful ministry God still has for us.  In the spring we plan to appoint the team that will plan our celebrations.  We also hope to appoint a Church Plant Team whose task will be to give us as a congregation all the information we need to make to consider partnering with our Classis to plant a new church in 2019. 

 
These are big plans, but we serve a God who is able to do “more than we ask or imagine;” so, we have every reason to look forward with great expectations.  --Pastor Tom
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