Pastor’s Corner – A New Season At Cross
This time of year is filled with change. The weather is warmer, school is drawing to a close and many milestones achieved throughout the year will be celebrated. Playoffs for many popular sports have recently concluded and baseball season has begun. And, lest we forget, the church year transitions from the penitential season of Lent to the celebratory tone of Easter!
This weekend we will host a congregation meeting to decide if we will enter a new season of ministry. On the ballot is a vote to begin construction on a Ministry Expansion project. In some ways, the idea of moving the school from the nearly 100 year old facilities is difficult. So many memories and blessings in our current space. In other ways, the plans allow our school facilities to remain an excellent place for students to learn and grow academically, socially and spiritually.
More than just a new and expanded school facility, this expansion will also include dedicated ministry space for children’s ministry as well as create space for our youth in grade 5-8. This is an exciting time for us to consider all that God has done and is doing in our midst. But change isn’t always easy, it often contains much that is unknown and requires a sacrifice of how things have been
Sometimes we are eager to let go of the old and reach for the new. Sometimes we cling to the past and dread change. Usually these feelings and desires are driven by internal thoughts about the personal benefits or losses. Our personal feelings are very important, God works through us to accomplish His plans for us and others. But our feelings are not the only thing to consider.
When it comes to ministry, God asks us to take one more thing into consideration. God asks us to consider the benefits the change will bring to His Kingdom’s presence here on earth. Sometimes we like the changes that allow God’s message of forgiveness and salvation to be shared with others. Sometimes we don’t like it because it requires us to change. All of this matters to God.
When we are willing to allow God to lead us to places that makes us uncomfortable or challenging we are fulfilling God’s calling for us to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Walking by faith is seldom easy but it is always rewarding. Walking by faith stretches us and transforms us into the people God created us to be. Walking by faith gives us a bigger purpose, and an eternal purpose to shine His light and share His hope with the world.
I do not know where God will lead us in the vote, many have asked. But, I do believe He is calling us forward into a new season, if I didn’t believe this, I wouldn’t be leading this. I am also eager to see how God is at work through you. I am confident that as we each are attentive to our own needs, and also to the needs of others, whatever decision we make will lead us forward on the path and plan He has for us.
Regardless of the outcome, it will be a new season. If we begin construction, it will be difficult, exciting and new. If we vote to not build, it will be difficult, exciting and new for a whole different set of reasons. Either way I pray for unity and faithfulness for our whole community of faith to follow where God leads and make an impact for His Kingdom sake in the community in which we live and serve together.
“…make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…” Philippians 2
His servant and yours,
Pastor Erik Gauss
Scripture Readings for Sunday, April 16, 2023
Genesis 1:1-5; 1 John 4:7-13; John 20:19-31
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