Some time in 2013, Calvary will break through the 1000-member barrier. I note this--not because I am enamored of numbers or feel responsible for Calvary's nearly 100% membership growth over the past 7 years--but because Calvary's growth does mean something.
Since I have lived in Brownsburg (8 1/2 years) I have witnessed many facets of growth. My children have grown up and moved out (thank God?!) Chelsey was an incoming high school freshman when we moved here (now she is married and working as a special needs teacher). Logan was an incoming fifth-grader. Now he is a nineteen-year-old college freshman. Becky was a back-to-school mom (and we a single-income family) . . . and now, after four years of teaching science, she is a middle school principal and working a 60+ hour work week.
Growth. Change.
I've seen much growth at Calvary, too. And most of it, I feel, is the result of several factors:
* A great church staff
* A wonderful, welcoming congregation
* A spirit of unity
* A spirit of Christ's caring
I could go on. But I write this suggest that we are still growing. We are still growing up.
This past month Calvary organized a new "Transitions Team" to study Calvary's growth and envision the future. It is a wonderful team of people--a blend of newer members and fifty-year members, younger/older, parents and grandparents. In essence, the team represents the whole of the congregation.
Kendra Smith is our consultant/leader. We are blessed by her skills and commitment. Thank her when you see her! (And if you don't know Kendra, find your directory and write her a note!)
But we are still growing up . . . and we are still learning to be the church God is calling us to be. Calvary's size is a blessing . . . but our greatest blessings are not born of numbers or statistics . . . but the growth that leads us to ask:
"Why are so many people wanting to be a part of this congregation, Lord?"
"What are we doing well that is leading to this growth?"
"What do we need to change to be even more effective for your kingdom in the years ahead?"
And here's a question: What is YOUR role and responsibility in making Calvary a great people of God?
Since I have lived in Brownsburg (8 1/2 years) I have witnessed many facets of growth. My children have grown up and moved out (thank God?!) Chelsey was an incoming high school freshman when we moved here (now she is married and working as a special needs teacher). Logan was an incoming fifth-grader. Now he is a nineteen-year-old college freshman. Becky was a back-to-school mom (and we a single-income family) . . . and now, after four years of teaching science, she is a middle school principal and working a 60+ hour work week.
Growth. Change.
I've seen much growth at Calvary, too. And most of it, I feel, is the result of several factors:
* A great church staff
* A wonderful, welcoming congregation
* A spirit of unity
* A spirit of Christ's caring
I could go on. But I write this suggest that we are still growing. We are still growing up.
This past month Calvary organized a new "Transitions Team" to study Calvary's growth and envision the future. It is a wonderful team of people--a blend of newer members and fifty-year members, younger/older, parents and grandparents. In essence, the team represents the whole of the congregation.
Kendra Smith is our consultant/leader. We are blessed by her skills and commitment. Thank her when you see her! (And if you don't know Kendra, find your directory and write her a note!)
But we are still growing up . . . and we are still learning to be the church God is calling us to be. Calvary's size is a blessing . . . but our greatest blessings are not born of numbers or statistics . . . but the growth that leads us to ask:
"Why are so many people wanting to be a part of this congregation, Lord?"
"What are we doing well that is leading to this growth?"
"What do we need to change to be even more effective for your kingdom in the years ahead?"
And here's a question: What is YOUR role and responsibility in making Calvary a great people of God?
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