Time does move along!
We have been getting to know each
other for a little more than three months.
You know that I am a fan of ministry
teams and the work they do.
I know that you value traditional
structure and “getting the job done”.
We have shared ordinary experiences
such as the first Sunday luncheons and
special occasions such as the Kirkin’.
Together we have rejoiced in seeing
new faces as our “saints from the South”
gradually gather in Franklin, as our family
members who are visiting join us, and as
short-timers pass through.
There are continuing activities which enrich
our experiences together such as a Bible
study and the class on “How Do You Spell
Presbyterian”.
We are also learning about each other
through our mutual investment in
congregational care.
We have much to look forward to with
the annual picnic and other summertime
activities on our calendar.
These occasions are the building blocks of
the ministry by both the pastor and the
church members.
Additionally, however, during this
transitional period a major focus is
preparation for the next chapter in the life
of the church.
This concentration
means seeking intentional ways to do
all we can to assure that the congregation
will be ready for this next chapter.
Therefore, in the coming months we will be
thinking together about the directions we
believe God wants us to go in the future and
about the kind of pastoral leadership which
will enable us to move in these directions.
To look to our future we must
consider our past - who we have been and
where we have been across the years.
As we prepare for the next season in
our church’s development it is important to
think of these earlier generations of their
faith, of the challenges they faced and how
they met them, and of how both their success
and their failures were used by Christ for
good purposes.
Some of you will remember that this
exploration of the past was done in previous
interim periods.
Church families are like our own
families - the stories of what happened
“then” are always being retold, and we
always reach understanding of the present by
reviewing the past.
In order to plan for us to take a reflective
look at our past to gain understanding for
the future, with the endorsement of the
Session I am establishing a Transition Task
Force.
It will be composed of
representatives of the church who came into
the church during the four most recent
decades, along with an Affiliate Member and
the Clerk of Session.
This six-person group will help in
the designing and implementing of a process
which will engage us all in recalling and
celebrating the history of our church and
reflecting on our current identity and
mission.
My thinking is that the first event in this
effort will take place toward the end of the
summer.
I can visualize gathering in Tartan
Hall to recall our history, to listen to
stories, and talk about the meaning of our
church’s 177 year history.
At the same time, I will be working
with the Session and our ministry teams to
look at some issues and concerns that
are important to be addressed prior to the
calling of a new installed pastor.
These involve procedures and
structures that need some fresh attention.
I
remain grateful for your continued prayerful
support as, “we strive side by side with one
mind for the faith of the Gospel.”
[Philippians 1: 27]