Beloved in Christ,

          If we’ve been paying attention over the past few weeks, we’ve been reminded how much can happen in a short time, when God is at work.  From piles of snow and icy driveways, we’ve gone to green grass, flowers, and budding leaves. 

          This month is, in so many ways, the month of new beginnings…graduations, weddings, celebrating the life God has given us through our mothers…the planting of the fields, and the beginning of summer activities.        

Newness of life is especially available to those who live with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  For in him is the promise of resurrection.  Always, and in all things, new life just around the corner…if we’re paying attention.

          In our churches, we are also looking forward to new life.  The results of our Natural Church Development surveys are in, and the discussion will soon officially be under way.  A summary of the results is available in your church, and I’m excited about the ways in which the Lord will use the results, to bring new life to our congregations…if we’re paying attention.

 I’ll be lifting up the surveys, and what they mean for the church, in worship soon.  There will also be opportunities for all of you to have input in how we use our strengths to build up our weaknesses.  For now, let me give you the basics.

          At Buck Creek, the highest factor identified was “Loving Relationships,” with the lowest being “Gift-Based Ministry”.  This, then, will be our focus.  So what is “Gift-Based Ministry”?  In a few words, this means that people serve the Lord and Christ’s church, in ways that best utilize the unique gifts the Spirit has given them. 

Delhi people identified two factors as being strengths:  “Need-Oriented Evangelism” and “Loving Relationships.”  The lowest factor was identified as “Passionate Spirituality.”  This is the close relationship individuals have with God, from whom the power comes to move forward in mission.  Because this was also said to be the weak area at Hopkinton, the administrative councils of these two churches will have a time together to initiate the process building up our spiritual lives.

          Natural Church Development has proven to be an effective tool for church renewal…if the people are paying attention…if the people truly want a new beginning, new life for the church.  Please pray for your church.  Ask the Lord to help us pay attention, that we may grow into the vision God has for the part of the Body of Christ in which He has placed you.  And please…participate.  Pray…attend discussion groups…pray…examine your own spiritual life…pray.  Remember, the last words of a dying church are usually, “We’ve never done it that way before.”

          In the words of the Lord, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18a).  God’s solution to that problem?  “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10a).  My prayer for each of us, and for Christ’s churches in Delhi and Buck Creek, is that we will listen to the Lord’s voice, and that excitement about the Lord’s vision will grow, as God reveals those visions to us.

          “Do not remember the former things,” God has said, “or consider the things of old.  I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19.  Indeed, the Lord is at work, bringing new life all around us…and through us.  Do you not perceive it?

                                                                   In Christ’s love,

                                                                   Pastor Lorraine