Annual Report

Here is a preview of my 2008 Annual Report which will appear in the Annual Report Booklet for our Annual Business Meeting on February1 at 1:00.  This way you can comment if you like.

Another year has come and gone, and I find myself in disbelief that Tori and I are beginning our ninth year of service with you.  In terms of Pastoral ministry there are milestones of ministry that all pastors look to get past.  It is fairly common for many pastors to reach the three year mark and then for whatever reason, they leave and start over somewhere else.  Others may make it to five years, and again for reasons not fully understood by any of us, there is often a transition that takes place.  Still others make it to Seven years, which isn’t all that common in churches today since the average stay for a pastor at a church is between 5-7 years (depending on who you ask:-), and then begin to feel that 7 year itch to begin looking elsewhere for God’s leading.   When a pastor makes it past 7 years, there is statistically a very good chance that the marriage between pastor and church is a good one, and that they and the church will serve together successfully for a significant amount of time.  So what does all of this mean?  YOU’RE STUCK WITH ME!  Just kidding!  What I believe this means is that God has blessed the union of pastor and church in our case, and has brought not only tenure to the relationship, but growth as well.  Our growth rate increased again this year ever so slightly causing me to suspect that we have successfully corrected the slight movements toward recline over the last two years as our growth has continued, but slowed, and are once again moving in the direction of increased growth.

This is great news to me because I believe that the coming times will demand a strong church to meet the needs that exist and the increased needs that will exist as our country experiences difficult financial times.  During difficult times people tend to realize what you and I already know, that they need God in their lives to help them get through.  It is my hope that as people feel this need and come searching for him that they will come to Floyd and find Him, and that they won’t just be satisfied allowing God to “get them through” but that they will realize their ongoing need for relationship with their creator.  It will take a strong, selfless, Spirit filled church to minister in the coming months as people come looking for a Savior of their own invention, who will meet their needs and let them be, and show them by our actions and our words the REAL Savior who will help meet their needs, but requires His followers to “…put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me”. (1)

Let’s be that kind of Church in the coming year.  We have grown stronger in the past year both numerically as new people continue to come, and spiritually as we mature in Christ.  I have seen many acts of selflessness as you have given of your time, talents, and resources to meet others needs, and I have seen spiritual growth begin with many of you, and continue to grow in others as things like prayer, missions, and worship take on the high priorities that they should have in God’s house.  I have watched you welcome new people in with all of the love that you have been shown by the Savior, and seen examples of how you continue to invite those who have not yet come.  Let’s continue to be a strong, selfless, Spirit filled church in the coming year.

Good Marriages bear fruit (as Tori and I can surely attest to), but not just in the form of offspring.  Good Marriages also produce joy, peace, security, faithfulness, and many other fruits that make life worth living.  May God continue to bless this marriage between pastor and church, with the kind of fruit that will make our life as a church rich and full, and may He continue to bless each one of you as you follow Him day by day.