Pastor’s Report 2007

Annual Business Meeting,
Marbury Church of God, September 20, 2007

Highlights

Pastor’s History

We’re in the twelfth year; took up assignment in July 1996

Pastor Shannon Ordained

Our Music and Worship leader, Rev. Shannon Buehler, was ordained on November 19, 2006 in a ceremony here at the church.

Recent Gains and Losses

Decline in attendance, but new members being added; visitation teams started; finances stable.

Accomplishments

Much progress on the physical plant: boiler, roof, parking lot, doors, landscaping, steps, railings, carpets, bathrooms and more

New Compassionate Ministries

Food pantry, Closet of Hope

Renewal

Natural Church Development Survey; Coaching Cluster process

The Present and Future

Natural Church Development

Working with Coach and Vision Team to improve “Inspiring Worship”

Local Outreach

Focus on Compassionate Ministries; public awareness; booklet, newsletter, flyers; convergence with community connections; outdoor letter-sign on Trustees’ wishlist

Christian Education

Emphasis on Bible use, knowledge

Youth

Critical need to recruit leadership

Technology

Website, e-mail list, development of audio/visual capacities

Changes Past and Future

Milestones

In September 1996 when I brought my first pastor’s report, we celebrated the church’s 85th anniversary. Already some of us are talking about the 100th, which comes around in 2011. Many people look to the church as a place of stability in the midst of uncertainty and change; at the same time, it is our mission to change the world. Change is both difficult and exciting. The last two years especially have been times of change, much of it difficult, for our congregation. Many of our dearly loved elders have passed on. Others have relinquished their duties and some have become homebound. All this is part of the normal life cycle of a church, and if these losses by attrition were the whole story, no church would survive the passing of its first generation of leaders. A recent review has shown that of those now attending on a typical Sunday morning, most were not a part of this congregation ten years ago. Of those who were, even though each of us is ten years older than we were then, on average we are younger! The challenge has always been one of learning how to attract newer, younger members while upholding the faith and values that have been passed on to us.

Highlights - See sidebar

Local Focus,
Community
Ministry, Transformation

You may notice that I have quietly been promoting the vision statement adopted last January by the Church of God Ministries in Anderson, Indiana:
Transforming Culture by Being the Body of Christ
. Charles County and Marbury are changing around us, and with us. We have the opportunity to become known as a
Christ-centered, active, community church
, focused on fulfilling the
Great Commission
, to
go make disciples
of all nations, by living out the
Great Commandment
: to
love God with all our heart, mind and strength, and love our neighbor as ourself
. We’re going to be making a lot of effort in the coming months to be sure our neighbors know that we are here, ready to love them to life in Jesus’ name.