Wednesday, November 06, 2013

We're Building a Church!

We're building a church! No, not the brick and mortar church, that's a building. We're building a real church, with flesh and bone, heart and soul, zeal and compassion. It's hard work. It takes time, effort, creativity, desire, vision and a deep sense of mission...and prayer, let's not forget prayer.

For nearly 2 years we've met, prayed, studied, read, walked, until the fog began to rise and a vision be came visible.  Our hearts still race when we discuss what it means for our future. I pray that as we fully reveal the whole vision, it quickens your step as well.

God is preparing something exciting for Newburgh United Methodist Church. It's a vision to know Christ fully, love Christ wholly and serve Christ genuinely and become a true community of faith.

Read the whole Vision Document here.

There has been a Methodist influence in Newburgh nearly since its establishment, that's almost 200 years! And we would be remiss if we didn't recognize that we stand today because of visions others have had along the way! From those first families who started the congregation, to those who envisioned a larger building on Jennings Street; those who purchased farm land in the middle of nowhere and saw a church among housing developments; those who saw a larger sanctuary, a fellowship hall, a series of classrooms, gymnasium, ball field, shelter house and the list goes on. All of these were visions cast before a faithful congregation and they became realities.

But these successful ventures were not the true vision, rather the vision has been continuing through all these years and it's always been about people! It was the focus of Jesus when he came, not to reform the Jewish faith, rather to gather people to God; to bring a new reign of God to earth (he called it the Kingdom) and to send us out to tell others it had arrived!

That's the real vision. That's what Church Building is all about. That's what it's always been about.

I started participating in ministry more than 25 years ago for one simple reason, I wanted other to share in the Way, the Truth, and the Life in Jesus Christ I had discovered. It's still why I do what I do every day.

Jesus came to earth to reach people
          to reach me
             to reach others.

And he's reached you to do the same.

We're building a church...and it's bigger than just Newburgh United Methodist, that's only just the beginning of this vision.

Join in the journey of knowing Christ, growing in Christ and going for Christ!

Peace ><>
Pastor Chris

1 comment:

Doug Morrow, CFRE said...

Chris, it was good to see this solid "vision perspective" giving post. Hope you are well. I miss you, brother. Please give my greetings to Peggy. -- Doug