Appreciating the Forest and the Trees in 2014

A common type of expression when we feel we have drifted from what is important or have lost sight of the greater plans God has for us is, "We've lost the forest in the trees." We attend to so many smaller matters in life that awareness of being involved in broader movements of the Spirit or being part of a greater Body of Christ is missed. We may feel disconnected or feel that our efforts are not contributing to a greater whole.

Regaining that sense of community can be a powerful blessing and multiply the benefits of our work in individual areas of ministry. Reclaiming a view of the forest or big picture can reveal the local beauty of our congregation.

Each year in preparation for Church Conference with our Kalamazoo District Superintendent through the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee and Coordinating Council we create our Congregation's Profile. It describes us with information about the direction of ministry, church reputation, Hartford community and schools, desired pastoral skills, and a 10-year record of membership, worship and church school attendance, church expenditures and Ministry Shares paid. This is a word-picture of our forest, the big picture of who we are and where we are headed.

I offer these portions of the Congregation Profile as a guide for 2014. I want to know what you think about this bigger picture of our ministry. I will be sharing more about these dimensions in future newsletter articles and leadership meetings.

Congregational Core Beliefs

We are a moderate to conservative congregation with emphasis on fostering a biblical world view. We are mission oriented, worship oriented, pay our ministry shares, and have concern about the need to help build a relationship with Jesus Christ. We emphasize community outreach. We seek to apply biblical standards to social issues.

The main focus of congregational life is reflected in goals for the near future and the order in which to address them:

1. Our focus is to bring people together in small groups in a learning and caring environment, and to equip them to be disciples for Christ – we want social connection between people.
2. Our focus is also to promote growth in Christian education for children, youth and adults.
3. Our focus is to continue supporting and sustaining Senior Services luncheons and programs.

Congregational Mission Statement

It is our mission to follow the Holy Spirit through prayer, and our growing knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, in creating a ministry that draws others into dependence upon Christ’s Saving Grace and a lifestyle that is both obedient and pleasing to God. As a means to this end, we as individuals and as a congregation will engage in evangelism, teaching, mission and service to those in need so that others will both hear of and experience the Grace of Christ. Further, we also recognize the need to join with other congregations of like mission to establish any or all of these ministries.

Our mission belongs to the greater mission of The United Methodist Church "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

May God bring us a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration as we love God, our neighbors and ourselves in this new year.