First a Word from Ron Degges

Ready.  Get Set.  Go.  These three describe where the church is today.  Four words explain it all.  If we can get these four words right -- okay, these two words and one phrase -- then maybe the church can find its way on this new frontier. 

The church has been under the same management for more than 2,000 years, something no governmental or business enterprise can claim.  It has been laying its foundation, expanding its outreach, adapting to cultural and demographic changes throughout the world.  As I see it, the first and foremost role of the church has been completed. It has laid its foundation.  It has made itself Ready.  Do not let anyone tell you that the church has arrived.  It has not. It has just taken its first step.  Two additional steps remain.  Thus all the confusion about where the church is in its journey. 

Before the church can ever Go, the fourth of the four words, it must Get Set.  It must prepare itself for this grand mission to which it has been called.  We are living in this Get Set time, in this middle time, where God is calling the church to get the Spiritual Enrichment Training it needs to propel it to the Go.  This middle stage of the church's life is an important one.  In this Get Set stage, the church is in formation and re-formation. 

The bricks and mortar of the Ready stage have given way to the need for spiritual provisions that will nourish the church on its continuing journey.  Study, prayer, fellowship, song, and service are the areas the Master wants to master in us so that we can truly Go where God calls.  So, like the novitiate, the whole church is in this time of spiritual preparation.  It is a time of questioning and learning, stretching and growing, listening and strategizing.  It is a time where we can be appropriately tooled in knowing the word, interpreting the word, living the word, and doing the word.  No one of these can stand alone. 

So, my fellow Disciples, let's Get Set for what it is God has in store for our future!….Ron Degges, President of Homeland Ministries

With the above focus talk in mind, let me tell you about Saturday’s Board Planning session.  The Board Planning session began with coffee, doughnuts and fellowship. All in attendance were in good spirits.  The group then gathered in the Old Fellowship Hall area were Vice Moderator Wade Guyon led us in group building activity that allowed us to get to know each other better.   Our Moderator Chuck Clary shared a devotion with us that led into a focusing exercise. He sought to show us that as a church we have ministry opportunities all around us, but it our duty to take up those opportunities.  The large group was broken into three smaller groups which met briefly.  We came together to share what we had discussed.  It was interesting how we had all heard the same prolog, but in our small groups had each taken it in a different direction.  But this goes to show the diversity of talents and gifts with which God has equipped our church.

At this point the group was split into our seven Ministry Teams.  Each one met briefly to format ideas on how to proceed with this year’s mission.  Chuck, Wade and I circulated to spend time with each Ministry Team, and those Ministry Teams that needed to spend some time working together also took this opportunity to do so.  I will come back in a moment to these ministry teams. 

Once the Ministry Teams had finished, we broke for lunch.  Everyone was still in high spirits and the fellowship was wonderful.   Immediately after lunch we proceeded with the January Board meeting.  End of the year reports were heard, as were plans from the Ministry Chairs for the coming year.  It was a very good start for 2010!  Let me share with you a few words about this year’s Ministry Teams and leaders.   

Christian Education will be co-chaired by Kathy Guyon/Lauren Schmoltze.  This Ministry Team has charge of running our Sunday School program, Bible and other study groups, VBS, and special events for children.   

The Evangelism team will be chaired by Carolyn McLean.  Having studied the book Unbinding the Gospel (twice), Carolyn has felt called to lead this group.  They will use the philosophy of that book that says all evangelism must start with prayer, with strengthening our relationship with God as a congregation, and with strengthening our relation with one another. 

The Mission Ministry will be chaired by Jim Hockman.  This group has charge of guiding our outreaching giving in the church, but also seeks to educate the congregation in the ministries they help fund.  Jim will also keep us informed of the ways in which our denomination is doing mission work all over the world.   

Nancy Merrill will chair our Nurture ministry.  The goal of this group is to enhance and enrich the fellowship life of the congregation.  Food is a big part of this, but not the only part.  As this group helps us grow closer, it aids our Evangelism ministry as well. 

Ann Bishop and Merle Slaton will co-chair the Property ministry.  Both these individuals have a long history with this group.  They will lead our effort to maintain our facility to be the best it can be.   

The Stewardship/Finance ministry team will no doubt help them with this mission.  It will be co-chaired by Chris Carawan and Herman Fuller.  In addition to forming the annual budget, this ministry seeks to educate the congregation in how it spends its money.   If we face

unexpected expenditures, this ministry team will propose plans to covers those costs.