Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Vision (08/03/06)
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TITLE: FRESH FIRE | Previous Challenge Entry
By Valerie Routhieaux
08/06/06 -
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Habakkuk 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
(KJV)
Pastor Michaelson looked at each of the board members. “Gentlemen, and Mrs. Brewer. Thank you for coming. We’re here to discuss a new vision.”
“What’s wrong with our present statement?” Mr. Douglas asked.
“It’s too broad. Look what it says.”
“It says that our mission is to preach the Gospel, and turn away no one who enters through our doors,” Mr. Brimley said.
“Yes. That statement was written when our church was founded during the civil unrest in our country. Times have changed. We need to change with it,” Pastor Michaelson said.
“We’re going to change our worship service?” Mrs. Brewer asked.
“Not just the service, but our name also. Resurrection Life is a good name. But if we are going to revamp the vision statement, we need to start at the root.”
“You changed the name of the church without consulting the board? I’ve been around since the beginning, and it was a fine name then, and it still is,” Mr. Brimley said.
“Resurrection Life speaks about what this church stands for, but it also speaks tradition. Traditional liturgy. Traditional hymns. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with the old hymns; after all they are the bulwark of Christianity at large. We’ve become set into a routine, and we’re not hearing from the Holy Spirit. When was the last time you saw a teenager come through our doors without their parents?”
“So what are you proposing? Steel guitars, drums, and-” Mr. Masterson asked.
“Have any of you listened to the contemporary music that is out there?” He looked around the room, and saw one hand go up. “Mr. Bridges.”
“I have a teenager at home, and I can tell you she grumbles and complains every time we come to church. She hates the fact that I’m on the board here. In fact until I got the call tonight I seriously considered turning in my resignation.”
“Then I’m glad I called this meeting. I’ve been meeting for the past several weeks with youth members, and had them take a vote on what they thought the church name should be and what kind of service would make them want to come back.” Pastor Michaelson pulled the poster easel to the head of the table and uncovered the first page. “Here’s the new name: River of Life Christian Center, and our new logo. It was a unanimous decision among the youth. There were a lot of ideas, but it was your Amy, Mr. Bridges that came up with the name, and everybody liked it. They also worked on the design.”
“She did say that something interesting was going on around here, and said I might want to take a look,” Mr. Bridges said.
“I’m not surprised. So to answer your question about the steel guitars, drums and other instruments, yes. I’ve interviewed quite a number of kids for our new music ministry. We’ve got a guitarist, someone to play keyboard, saxophonist, drums, violin, and flute.”
“I don’t know if I like the idea of a new name and a new kind of service,” Mr. Brimley said.
“Let me give you a taste of what we can expect.” He turned on the video player and the television screen came alive with a worship service with hundreds of kids praising God to contemporary music. “You’ll notice the upbeat music, and the enthusiasm on their faces.”
“And the way the kids are dressed,” Mrs. Brewer said.
“Look at their faces. See the enthusiasm? See the tears trace down their cheeks?”
“But the clapping, jumping, waving hands in the air?” Mr. Jacobs asked.
“Do you hear the words? Those young people are in tune with God. That’s what I want to see here: A fresh infusion of the Holy Spirit. Some fire that will draw people of all ages to our sanctuary, and then keep them coming back for more.”
“We’re going to need a dynamic vision that will attract everyone,” Mr. Masterson said.
“And that is why I’ve called you here. Not only do we have a new name. We also have a new logo, and a new music ministry. Now let’s have a new vision for our future.”
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