Pastor’s Quarterly Report - July 2016
As I write this
report reflecting on the weeks since our annual meeting I am confident that God
has a plan and is at work in the Boothbay Baptist Church family. The
disappointing series of events that led to a turbulent annual meeting and the
resignation of two elders has been a set back for our church, and has of
necessity turned our focus inward to seek healing and reconciliation. I am hopeful that if we choose God’s glory
above our individual will we can emerge stronger and more unified than ever.
We are in
agreement among the leadership that we need to sharpen the focus of our church
on our mission, “To know God and to make Him known.” It means that we need to
ask how every one of our ministries contributes to that mission. I am hoping to
access an online training/consulting ministry that will help us in this process
over the next couple of years (pending church approval). The key principle of this ministry is the idea
that the church grows most effectively not through “programs,” but through
people being equipped and motivated to reach out to the people in their close
“sphere of influence,” friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors [the Greek
term for “household,” oikos, can
reflect this idea]. It is an astounding statistic that 95% of people who come
to faith in Christ and who attend a local church are there because of the
influence of someone in their oikos. The
biblical model is that every member is a minister and each of us is called to
be a witness. There are no age
restrictions and no term limits. The only “graduation” from service is being
called home to glory. YOU are a vital part of God’s plan for this church!
We are thrilled
that God has prompted two individuals, recognized as sincere and godly men of
faith, to accept nomination to be put before the church for consideration as
elders. We are hopeful they will both be enthusiastically approved by the vote
of the church and will be able to join Sam Michael and me in the shepherding
responsibility of the body. In truth, both of these men have already been
active in serving the church for years. It is our hope that God, in His time,
will raise up one or two more men to join this board.
As the summer
season has come upon us we have seen some changes in our weekly programing.
Perhaps most visible is the “break” in our Word of Life Olympian ministry and
our teen group. The adults that led
these ministries are to be commended for their dedication and love for our
young people. We hope to see even more
“inter-generational” involvement as we plan ahead to initiating a young adult
group and a middle school ministry in the fall. These are a part of our
mission, both in helping disciple believing kids from our church families, and in
reaching out to some unchurched youth in our community. For the summer we have also decided to
combine our weekly prayer meeting and small groups in a “Church on the Go”
format that will allow us to gather for worship, edification, and fellowship in
different homes around the community. If you have not yet signed up to host,
lead worship, or give the devotional at one of these meetings please consider
how you can be involved!
My ministry
focus continues to be on preaching and teaching. The opportunities to teach
some classes in the adult Sunday School, to occasionally substitute in the teen
class, to teach the book of Psalms on Wednesday nights (yes, we have
finished!), to lead a small group, and to preach Sunday mornings has been a
pleasure for me. I am learning a lot as
I work with you through I Peter, and I am coming to understand a little better
how we are to live as pilgrims in a fallen world. Pastoral counselling also has been a
privilege, as I’ve been able to walk with couples and individuals through times
of trial or crisis and have seen growth in several as they respond
biblically. Let us faithfully, together,
carry out the mission He has entrusted to us. To God be the glory.
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while,
as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness
of your faith- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by
fire- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of
Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Your servants in Christ,
Pastor Steve and Mary Ann
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