What Kind of Church
Shall We Be?
While I was on
sabbatical, Associate Conference Minister Hal Youngblood offered a workshop
here that was attended by about a dozen of our church leaders. However, the
information he presented, and the questions he raised are relevant to all of
us, as we decide what kind of church we want to be in the future. So for the
next few months, I’ll be sharing with you in condensed form, some of the
information he shared on church life, growth, and death.
This month, I offer some
final comparisons between survival system churches (those who are simply trying to
maintain the status quo) and growth/mission system churches (those who want
to thrive, grow, and live out the Gospel in the world. As you read each part
of the table, think: what kind of church has FCUCC been in the past? What
kind of church do we want to be in the future? What are we willing to do to
make that happen?
Letter from
Church World Service
Dear Friends:
I want to thank you for
your generous gift ($853.94) for as you know, the needs are great, but with
your help, so much can be done. We can provide food, shelter, health care,
and clean water to refulgees and others forced to flee their homes. With
your help, we can support impoverished communities as they seek to improve
their farming techniques, access reliable sources of safe water, and build a
more sustainable future....Thanks so much!
