APOLOGY AND EXPLANATION
Over the past year or so the leadership has been the cause of some confusion so the purpose of this communication is two-fold: one, to apologize, and two, to give an explanation we now feel free to share with you.
First, starting last winter we decided to have one service from December through February. We then went back to having two services and had just begun to settle into that when we announced we would be having one service through the summer. Two services started the third Sunday in September and none too quickly because we found ourselves really cramped for space. But then came our Anniversary and Day of Service and we thought it wise to do one service for those. Our intent was to go back to two services until the first of December when we would, once again, have one service through the winter months. As you know we are in one, and that was because it seemed silly to go back to two for 3 weeks and then switch to one. What we have created is a big ball of confusion for everyone-those who are regular and those who attend occasionally or are visitors. We apologize for that confusion. That was never our intent but we certainly ended up there.
Second, an explanation for our back and forth from one service to two. Dick & Vicki Hogan have been our Worship Team leaders since 2009. Week in and week out they have graciously served God and us with their tireless efforts to honor God with our worship each Sunday. Practice each week. Practice before we start. Two services. They have never complained and have rarely missed. But it was taking a toll on Dick’s hands to play. Many of you know what it is like to have “Arthur” visit. During the winter time our attendance generally goes down, so to accommodate that and to also show our concern for his hands, we chose to go to one service last winter. And every time we have gone to a prolonged time of one service (like this past summer), it has been for the purpose of caring and concern.
But at our leadership meeting this past Monday evening, we talked about our situation at length. There was a definite agreement that one service is constricting our growth, or at least it will. There are some who will sacrifice comfort for the chance to see everyone but we also have to remember that being a church is also about reaching others to tell them about Jesus and most visitors who come will not attend where it is crowded.
So we are making a decision and also asking a prayer request of you:
- The decision is that we will evaluate where we stand as we move into February and come the first of March plan to move back into two services permanently, except for Easter at Abram Farm and special events like the Anniversary and Day of Service. This will stop the time confusion but also give us room to grow until we can build the additional worship space we desire.
- The prayer request is one we ask each of you to bring before the Lord each day. Ryan and I talked at length with Dick & Vicki this past Wednesday evening after WT practice. Dick & Vicki want to continue leading and helping with the Worship Team but welcome new blood to play and then possibly lead the WT in the future. The leaders believe God has someone for us. We are praying for someone who has a committed relationship to God and His Word; is Biblical in their beliefs; has a heart of worship; and can lead and cooperate with others (especially the WT). We are not looking for an entertainer, but a lead worshiper. We ask you to please pray for God to lead us to that person or for Him to lead that person to us.
Again, we apologize for the confusion we have caused, but now you know where our heart is in making those decisions. But you also know how to pray so we ask you to pray urgently over the next few months for an answer to our prayer.
Thank you from your leaders: Chris Wainscott. Jeff Carlson. Phil Eckart. Wayne Akerson. David Robertson. Ryan East. Bill Grandi.
