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A Note From the Minstries Council

 

The Ministries Council, like many organizations, churches, and families today, has been asking some tough questions. A lack of resources forces any entity to evaluate its priorities and its systems for accomplishing those priorities. Specifically, beginning with the Day of Strategic Planning in October, we have been wrestling with three questions:

 

1. How do we reestablish relevance with local congregations?
2. How do we continue the current, ongoing scope of work mandated by the assembly?
3. How do we re-organize to efficiently move forward?

 

The first question is, by far, the hardest to answer. Before last years General Assembly we conducted surveys. We hosted the Day of Planning and invited anyone that was interested to attend. We have met twice since the day of planning. We are making progress, but don’t have any “thus saith the Lord” announcements. We honestly desire to be a resource to local congregations rather than a drain, but we have a variety of congregations with different needs and no one thing has risen to the top yet. We seek your ongoing prayers and input. Please don’t hesitate to contact anyone on the Ministries Council with your suggestions or questions

 

I am pleased to share with you that, despite these difficult economic times, the work of the Assembly moves forward. Although we are now operating without a State Pastor, Beverly and Estella continue to support and assist the various boards and committees in carrying out their assigned work and they also strive to keep me in line! We have downsized the physical office space to save on rent, and are striving in every way to be good stewards of the resources you invest. Please remember that the State Pastor’s salary did not come from our regular budget. Even though we eliminated this position, it does not decrease our budget need. I pastor a local congregation. I know we are all struggling and must make tough decisions. I just wanted you to have the facts as you make your decisions regarding state ministry.

 

At the General Assembly you approved an interim set of bylaws and a new manual of operations. We remain committed to the mission of the Kingdom and realize that sometimes we have a tendency of sustaining models that don’t necessarily facilitate mission. We continue discussions and sub-committees are currently evaluating how to streamline our structure. I hope to give you an update on this process in April at our State Ministers Meeting.

 

May God continue to bless you as you strive to serve Him.

 

Blessings
Tom Newell