1The first of November is generally considered a bit early to be looking back to assess the year that is coming to a close. Still, with our last business meeting of the year looming, I wanted to share with you a snapshot of my impressions of 2007.
First, there are things to be encouraged about.
We have seen growth in virtually every area of the church’s life and ministry over the last year. Since January, we have added seven new members through baptism and nine through statement or letter. We have seen our financial income rise. October was the first month since January when offerings this year fell below offerings for last year. If things hold true, we’ll see a net gain for 2007 over 2006. Attendance has followed the same course. Weekly attendance is up a little over 9% for the year. All of these are signs of a stable, healthy church.
Numbers, however, don’t tell the whole story. In fact, I believe that they don’t tell the most important part of the story. Numbers don’t tell about the sense of hope for the future that is settling over the membership. They don’t tell about the warmth of feeling one gets from being among the people of SDBC. They don’t tell about the shared laughter and tears, of the meals eaten together, of songs sung in praise, of new ventures begun, of reconciliations completed. They don’t tell of prayers answered, of new insights gained, of new friendships forged. They also don’t tell of the hurt that comes from saying good-bye to old friends or the comfort that comes from knowing that we’ll be seeing them again. But, all of these things are also a part of the story of our church. Yes, there’s a lot to be encouraged about.
Then, there are things to be discouraged about.
Or maybe not, because I don’t find many. I’m a bit of a greedy person so I’d like to have more–more baptisms, more folks coming, more income to do ministry with, more of all the things that I find encouraging. But, God has been good to us this year. He has blessed us richly and I believe that He will continue to do so. I believe that because it is His very nature to do so.
In short, there is every reason to be believe that 2008 will be greater for SDBC than 2007 was. We just need to make it so.
Pastor Will
