A Note from Dean: Time for a Revival
Dear Western Friends,
Your Session is reading the book, “Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice.” It is written by Joan Gray, a teaching elder (minister) and former moderator of our denomination’s General Assembly. Chapters 7 and 8 are our assigned reading forApril. I want to write about a topic addressed in chapter 8: “Spiritual Formation.”
This may be a term new to many of you. It can be a synonym for “Christian Education” if we think of that in its broadest terms. Christian formation is crucial in the life of congregations. It happens when we, as a community, engage in spiritual practices like:
prayer,
tithing,
testifying,
hospitality,
Bible Study for transformed lives,
challenging behaviors that are hurtful to the body of Christ, etc.
(These and more attributes of a healthy church are listed on p. 66 of “Sailboat Church.”)
Some of you have shared that over the years WPC has been neglectful of these spiritual disciples that healthy churches rely upon for life. The church has excelled in mission and outreach, but fallen behind in areas like the study of the scriptures, and hospitality beyond our wonderful coffee hours. Well, it is time for a Revival!
A hospitality revival like these efforts: The Deacons will soon be reaching out to all of the members inviting you to come to a small church dinner to build stronger ties among us. RSVP “yes.”
Many of the Deacons and Elders will be getting hospitality training from the Presbytery. Help them put into action what they learn.
A prayer revival like this: Starting on Wednesday night, April 10th , from 7:30-8:00, you will be invited to attend an online prayer group with me. Details will be forthcoming. I know I will only have three weeks before I leave Western, however, you do not need a pastor to be in charge.
A study revival like this: Susie Farr, the chair of the Session’s Spiritual Formation Ministry/Committee, has plans for starting a Bible Study used by Presbyterian Churches nationwide. You’ll be hearing from her about this. You don’t need to have a degree in the Old or New Testaments to join this class. Newcomers often bring the best questions and comments to the group!
Life doesn’t give a lot of guarantees, though Tax Day is quickly approaching. I can guarantee with confidence that if each of us makes an effort to work with others, in one or more of these spiritual pursuits, Western will thrive.
Indeed, you may want to let Susie know of your interest in working with her committee. Friends, this is an exciting time, full of potential
for the church, and you will want to be part of the new life to come!
Grace and peace,
Dean