InIn10earsYears I
By Dr. John Cook
we are all so busy in the present. But any organization needs to be planning for its future.
There are some differences in our church that will be real- ized in 10 years.
• Some of us will be in glory. • Some of us will have moved residences or downsized in housing.
• Only a small number of us will be driving the same care we have presently.
• Many of our current church leaders will no longer be leading.
• Many of our current Sunday School teachers will no longer be teaching.
• Many of the youth in our current youth programs will be out of high school.
and possibly be married.
• The current pastor will probably be retired.
All this in just 10 short years! I am sure I could go on with this list. Perhaps you can add to it. But the point is clear that nothing stays the same forever. So, how do we as a church build for the future and prepare for the changes that come over time? First, I would encourage all of us to be in prayer for the fu-
ture (and present) of our church. We realize as Christians that the church. A part of our prayer life ought to be for the Word of God to bear fruit as it is proclaimed. The fruit is numerical and how the Apostles prayed for the church in the world. Second, I would encourage all of you to use your gifts and talents in the church. Perhaps you could team teach with someone to begin to learn how to use your gift/talent better. Perhaps you could help with Children’s Church or with some other program to learn how to teach or visit someone with an- other person to grow in your ability to visit or help behind the scenes with jobs that need to be done. There are many ways for Third, be a disciple and not merely an attendee. In order to be used by God, you need to be prepared and equipped. Every believer needs a place to learn as well as a place to serve. So, if you are not in a group, consider being connected to a disciple- ship group, a circle, a Bible study, or some other small group in which you can learn to study the Bible, pray, and serve. Finally, we all need to remember that the future of the church is still outside of it! We need to be telling others of the Good News of Jesus and inviting them into His Kingdom. And as this happens, we who are here as members need to welcome and life of the church. This is how a healthy Biblical church grows.
Rev. John Cook is a Retired ARP Minister in Second Presbytery. 8
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