Vision for a Community

Last week and again tonight the pastor and the long range planning committee presented their vision for us as we seek to reach Sparta for Christ. The plan includes building and expanding our current facilities but will also necessitate expanded ministry offerings as well. One of the stated goals is to double in size over the next decade. I am against making congregation count an end goal for any church and pray that the pastor is looking at ministry and presenting the gospel rather than membership numbers as his goal. As with any initiative in a Baptist church we have to vote on it for it to be official. We had a very long business session and pretty much beat the horse for 1.5 hours tonight and will vote to approve or not next month.

I know that for the past 4 or 5 years many in the church have expressed a desire for a leader to step forward and lead us. Well, tonight we had the pastor step out (with the efforts of the long range committee) to lead us in his/their vision of where God wants to take us. Now, it is up to us to join in and do our best for God's glory or to sit still and be content with where we are now. And, while I am not excited about a church that is huge, I do want to get excited and step out in faith to serve where He wants me so that His message can reach everybody here in White county. If that means doubling in size, then praise God, because I know He can change my heart to be happy even in a large church.