Pastor's Note

Dear Friend,

 

Thanks be to God for calling us to begin a new year in ministry together.

 

As a church, we thank those of you who have served in various capacities this past year. We welcome those of you who assume new leadership roles this year with Good Shepherd. Our United Methodist Book of Discipline establishes our church governance so that we regularly rotate leadership affirming the gifts of our members and sharing the responsibilities for administrative and program ministries. This regular rotation underscores an orientation of “servant-leadership” rather than concern for assuming, retaining and exercising “authority”. The end of this effort is to empower laity to do the work of the church and become a healthier, less person-dependent, congregation.

 

The beginning of the New Year is a good time to remind ourselves of our Mission: “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” (This is the mission of the United Methodist Church and our primary purpose as Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.) How a local church lives out this mission maybe articulated in a Vision Statement. So, Good Shepherd defines how we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ through emphases unique to us as we believe God is leading us.. Our Vision Statement affirms that we seek to make disciples of Jesus through growing our ministries to: 1) Children/Families, 2) Music/Worship and 3) Mission/Service. All that we do as a church is done in commitment to our Mission through service to our Vision.

 

Members of the Church Council seek to be “servant-leaders” who develop ministries and mission in keeping with our Mission and Vision. It is the Council’s role to keep us moving forward with accountability to our commitments to ministry. The Council consists of leaders from 5 Ministry Teams: 1) Hospitality, 2) Faith Development, 3)Worship and Music, 4) Stewardship/Finance and 5) Mission and Service. Each of these Teams works between meetings of the Council to carry out their respective ministries in service to the church, community and to world-wide missions.

 

Everyone who chooses to become a member of the church makes 5 promises: to uphold the church through one’s 1)prayers, 2)presence, 3)gifts, 4)service and 5) witness. May God keep us faithful to our promises and our ministry.

 

Peace,
Pastor John