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From the
Bishop...
This past week I
attended a meeting with Bishop Larry Goodpaster and the other clergy
of the Dothan and Montgomery/Opelika districts. In our meeting we
welcomed Bishop Goodpaster's return and celebrated our first four
years together. We discussed the recent damage of hurricane Ivan and
planned our responses. We prayed together. We worshipped together.
Of course, we ate together (Can you imagine a Methodist gathering
without the consumption of food?). Finally, we envisioned our future
together.
Bishop Goodpaster
reminded us that "the mission of the Church is to make disciples of
Jesus Christ" (Discipline - Paragraph No. 120). He then shared his
excitement over the vision of the Alabama-West Florida Conference
"to cultivate dynamic, thriving, congregations." He explained that
dynamic and thriving congregations tend to have certain
characteristics. He invited each church in our conference to examine
our identity along 10 hallmarks of dynamic, thriving churches:
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION
- A passionate
spirituality that is Bible-based, Christ-centered, Spirit-let and
warm-hearted;
- An inspiring
worship service where people encounter and experience the living
God;
- A clear, compelling
and guiding vision statement;
PERSONAL HOLINESS AND MATURING DISCIPLES (INWARD ATTENTION)
- An intentional plan
for equipping and empowering laity for ministry;
- An atmosphere of
hope and hospitality where caring relationships exhibit the love of
Christ;
- A vital small group
ministry for educating, nurturing, and growing disciples;
SOCIAL HOLINESS AND SERVING DISCIPLES (OUTWARD FOCUS)
- An evangelism and
faith-sharing program that is needs-oriented and people focused;
- A compassionate and
comprehensive mission program (local and global, financial and
personal);
INSTITUTIONAL STABILITY
- A functional
structure and organizational system where spiritual gifts are
recognized and used; and
- A connectionally-committed
United Methodist Church through participation and support.
I praise God that
the Hartford First United Methodist Church is a "dynamic, thriving
congregation." I praise God that we are answering God's call to make
disciples. I invite you to consider your place in the ministry of
this church. Are you helping us reach our mission? "The Hartford
First United Methodist Church is a family of believers, welcoming
everyone, spreading God's word, and meeting spiritual needs." With
your prayers, presence, gifts, and service our church can continue
to be vital, relevant, dynamic, thriving, and most of all, faithful.
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