Where Do We Go From Here?

I wish there were some easier way to say this, but rather than beat around the bush, let me just come out and say it - It's time for our conversation to change.  

Over the first 100+ days I have been INCREDIBLY blessed to be your pastor, part of the great community that is North Cross UMC, I have been intentional about getting to know as many of you on a personal level as I can, hearing your stories and sharing with you ours.  I would not trade these first 100+ days for anything.  And I look forward to continuing these pastoral conversations with you over the next days, weeks, months, and years.

However, it's time for the conversation to move forward.  Now that we have had time to get to know one another, it is time for us to talk more intentionally about what it is that we are doing here.  You may have noticed at the top of last week's (and today's) e-mail the stated mission of the church - to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  It is this mission that must be at the heartbeat of any and everything we do as the community of North Cross.

The question that we must expect and demand to be asked and answered about all things within our community is, "How is this going to facilitate the making of disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?"  It's a question that will be asked of all our administrative and ministry committees, our leaders, our staff - everyone.  And it's a question that I hope and pray you will ask me.

There has been a lot that has needed to be done to get some things in place, some of which we have done, others (like I wrote about last week) that will be done over the next few weeks and months. Transitioning into these things will be a little interesting, and not without their hiccups, but keeping our eyes moving forward and bringing positive energy and positive conversation into everything will make these times worthwhile.

I'm looking forward to the clarity that will come as a result of our conversation shift from "Who are you?" to "What are we doing here?" and "How are we going to live it out?"  There is a deep personal and professional satisfaction that I cannot express which comes as a result of being in conversation with God's people about where God is leading us all.

Grace and Peace, Lamar