A Word of Thanks

Thank you for the GPS!  I don’t even know what that stands for.  But it is a little device that keeps track of where I am better than I do.  Sue is no longer worried about my getting lost.  I am able to find places and then find my way back home. 

Speaking of thank you, Cliff Christopher gave us some pretty good advice at the “This is Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate” workshop.  He encouraged us to develop the habit of sending ‘thank you’ cards or notes.  He recommended 10 per week.  He said a lot of other things that day and I strongly urge you to get his book and have a discussion with a group of persons in your congregation.  I have included information from one of the slides in his presentation in this newsletter that relates ways to decrease giving in the church.   Often we promote the wrong message when desiring to strengthen good stewardship.  We speak out of a scarcity approach rather than one of abundance.  Instead of telling our story about doing God’s work we voice a desperate appeal of our needs. 

I have truly enjoyed the Church Conferences.  I get an opportunity to hear the stories of each congregation as well as talk about the future.  Sue and I have felt warmly welcomed.   We are just getting started and have many to go.  I have not been meeting with the SPRC at the time of the Church Conference because of the schedule of the Conferences.  I plan to meet with them January – April.  At that time we will train the new people on the Committee and spend some focused time on the Covenant between Pastor and SPRC and promoting covenants throughout the leadership in the church.

Ben and Rosalind Zander (The Art of Possibility­) help us by saying we need to replace the word “but” with the word “and” in our conversations.  I know this works.  It causes us to see possibility where we might be focused on downward thinking.  For example:  This is a beautiful time of the year [(but) (and)} it is raining.  You choose the word to use and see where it takes your thinking.

So then, …