Pastor's Message
WHY I LOVE ...
Almost every morning I awaken looking forward to what the day will bring. (Yes, I do need a "mental health" day once in a while - everyone does.) But I can think of no other job I have had that brings me such excitement and satisfaction. Why?
IS IT THE STAFF I WORK WITH REGULARLY? Jan, who keeps the church "on task" in many ways, who handles many details, who helped make my transition as smooth as it was, who can be a wonderfully challenging intellectual foil? Marlys, who works intensely to make our blended service "work," and works with our choirs and their widely disparate emphases, and is passionate about
music? Dick, who watches our money "like a hawk," is knowledgeable about the intricacies of our finances, and is committed to money enabling ministry?
IS IT OUR CURRENT PROGRAMMING? Sunday School, Confirmation Classes (adult and youth), Missions in many aspects (10% of church income for missions, supporting One Family Under Guard, for example), Fellowship events, Airfare Assistance Fund for families of soldiers serving is Iraq and Afghanistan, the many ways we assist people in need, are part of who we are. Part of my joy is the meetings with people committed to ministry that help plan and implement ways we can Incarnate Christ.
IS IT OUR POTENTIAL? We are looking at reactivating a Stephen Ministry program which originally was part of the Monroe Presbyterian Church. Several have indicated an interest in participating in the program, and / or assisting in its redevelopment. (Stephen Ministries is a program of members providing crisis and long-term support for people in stress.) Also, the Search Committee for the Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministries has met, and has devised a way for the whole congregation to participate.
IS IT THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE FACE? How can I, as a person, and as a pastor, help people deal with issues such as, "Is now the time to end my mother's life support?" "Should I terminate this pregnancy?" "What can I / should I do with my child? (Behavioral issues and issues of orientation, for example)" "My spouse says he gave me a ‘social disease.' What should I do now?" And, of course, there can be many other ways in many other times one can try to be supportive, caring, and insightful.
IS IT OUR PEOPLE? We have such a diverse congregation! What a challenge! What a joy!
IS IT PREACHING, AND ITS PREPARATION? Every week I have the opportunity to prepare a sermon that, by God's Grace will help people in their spiritual journeys; every week, my spirit is enriched by its preparation.
YES, these are among the reasons I love ... BEING A PASTOR.
Sincerely, Dick Griffith