| Volume IX Issue 1 |
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January-February 2012 back |
Thoughts for the Way Forward By Acting General Presbyter Randy Webb Dear Partners: Shenandoah Presbytery is blessed to have a clear and theologically sound Vision Statement that appears in Chapter 2 of our Presbytery Manual. The challenge for us is always “How can we live more fully into that expression of who we are?” Building on parts of that vision statement (which appear in bold below) I’d like to share some thoughts and ideas that might stimulate our thinking and guide our working together as a Presbytery in the months ahead. Our Vision Statement affirms that Shenandoah Presbytery is a covenant body where: (1) Congregations are empowered to be centers for mission; My reading of this is that Shenandoah Presbytery exists for the sake of helping its congregations and mission communities carry out the mission that God has entrusted to them. I wonder, how many congregations would say that they are being empowered to be centers for mission by their involvement in our Presbytery? God empowers us by the Holy Spirit that works through God’s Word and the sacraments, so the Word should always be forming and reforming us. One specific thing we could do in this regard would be to provide the leadership, resources, and inspiration for a Biblically sound Presbytery-wide stewardship emphasis that could help us grow in our individual faithfulness to the scripture, help churches grow in their commitment, and help the presbytery to be stronger in its corporate witness and mission. Two key components of this initiative would be that it must be solidly Biblical and without pressure of any kind. (2) People of God are equipped to be Disciples of Christ in a challenging world; Equipping the people of God to be disciples of Christ is an ongoing task that is shared by pastors, congregations and the presbytery. At the heart of growing in our discipleship is staying connected to and dwelling in the Word of God, and sharing with one another the things that God is doing in our lives and in the lives of our churches. When we share these stories we grow in our awareness of the many ways that God is acting all around us, and it helps us to discern where God is present and acting in our own lives. The challenges we will face together should always be approached prayerfully and in dialogue with the scriptures, because to be more intentionally connected to the Word of God in our assemblies, committee work and deliberations would open us up to being formed and transformed by that Word into instruments suited for God’s purpose. (3) Church professionals are nurtured and strengthened for service; In addition to providing pastoral care, fellowship and continuing education opportunities, I propose an annual enrichment event such as a “Pastors’ Retreat” or “Professionals’ Conference” of two or three days that would offer a time of relaxation, inspiration, stimulation and fellowship with other colleagues, that could refresh and re-energize our church professionals. What other ideas do you have along these lines? Continued on Page 2 - Next -> |