Word from Pastor Paul
Grace to you, Christ Church family.
Missy and I are enjoying getting to know our church family. You have welcomed us with the warmth of Christ overflowing from your hearts, and we are thankful God has called us to serve among you. Please be patient as we connect names and faces over the coming months.
Here are a few matters I want to share with you this week:
Wednesday Nights During the Fall at Christ Church
On Wednesday night, September 7, the Christ Church family is invited to sign-up for a meal at 5:00 p.m., followed by Vision Night from 6:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. What is Vision Night? I will take time to share the vision surrounding the what and why of Christian discipleship as it relates to the Christ Church mission statement.
Beginning Wednesday night, September 14, the Christ Church family will gather in Seabrook Hall for a delicious meal from 5:00 till 5:55 p.m. At 5:55 p.m., I will share a brief word of edification, followed by a small group study. Our fall study will feature Dr. Sandra Richter’s study on the book of Isaiah. The format includes a book, study guide, and video segment.
We will seek to conclude small groups by 7:30 p.m. to allow plenty of time for children and students to get home and complete homework.
You are encouraged to sign-up to serve, sign your family up for meals, and sign-up for discipleship as we move into the fall season as the Christ Church family.
Updates on Disaffiliation
No matter where I serve as an ordained United Methodist Pastor, I would have to navigate the season of disaffiliation. As we move into the days ahead, I want each of you to be fully informed as to why we should disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church and why we should consider affiliating with the Global Methodist Church. To best keep you informed, I encourage you to take advantage of the following:
Read the book, Are We Really Better Together?
The little book, Are We Really Better Together is available to you free of charge at the Welcome Desk just outside of Seabrook Hall.
Attend the Town Hall Gathering(s). Date(s) will be announced soon.
Read through the entire Joshua Committee’s Question and Answer Document.
I am willing to come and share with your Sunday School class or Small Group. I have already had the privilege of being with several.
Listen to the upcoming podcast conversation between Grant Caldwell and me, which deals with the reasons for disaffiliation and each of the chapters in Are We Really Better Together?
Read through Pastor Paul’s weekly, Word from Pastor Paul, which will contain both church updates and information relevant to disaffiliation.
While I advocate for our joining the Global Methodist Church, we do have a choice. Our own Robert Montague is chairing a team that will provide information to the Christ Church family regarding these choices in the days ahead. There are four choices before us:
Joining the Global Methodist Church;
Joining the Free Methodist Church;
Joining a Wesleyan network of churches, or;
Becoming an independent church.
Just for Fun
As many of you already know, I enjoy studying history and astronomy. When the first images from the new James Webb telescope were published, I was a bit like a kid in a candy store. If you’ve yet to behold how “the heavens declare the glory of God” through these newly released images, take a few moments and go to this NASA LINK and enjoy.
I’ll see you this weekend to glorify God as we make, mature, and mobilize disciples of Jesus Christ by loving Jesus—and loving like Jesus—in the world.
For His renown,
Paul
