The May 2005 Newsletter of the COMMUNITY PROTESTANT CHURCH of WEST YELLOWSTONE |
Steps in Transition
The Presbyterian Process of Calling a New Pastor
Ongoing_ Planning our transition (this goes on every day)
Search for an interim (serves for not more than one year (renewable) and is NOT eligible to become the next called pastor) Completed _Establish an interim “profile” for potential candidates to review -
AND sent out to Presbyteries across the country Interview candidates - emails, phone calls, letters going back and forth to points near and far SOON!!_Make an interim selection with the approval of the Committee on Ministry (COM) from the Presbytery.
Ongoing Arrange for pulpit supply until an interim is found. --
- Rev. Mike Japenga will be with us the next two Sundays
Mission Study: engage the entire congregation to some degree or another --
Ongoing_Mission Study team begins their work - Now is YOUR chance for input!
- Read On........ Your Comment is Requested & Valued!
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Your Comment is Requested & Valued!
May 8, 2005
The Mission Study Team was charged with developing goals to strive toward rather than recommending specific programs or activities. To that end we asked the Holy Spirit to guide our attempt to discern the dreams and desires that will serve as the foundation of all CPC does in the future.
Once again we emphasize the importance of your participation in this process---the first step in selecting new pastoral leadership for CPC. Every comment received will be reviewed and incorporated as it is appropriate to do so. Written comments are preferred and will be included with the final Mission Study that is submitted to the Pastor Nominating Committee.
With gratitude for your continued encouragement, prayers and support, we offer this draft of Our Vision for your prayerful examination and comment.
-The CPC Mission Study Team
Our Vision for Care of the Body
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
We have a purpose to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, personally and corporately. We ARE the church body and we have the privilege of sharing each other’s burdens and joys. We desire to become a healthy, caring and whole congregation and seek to:
Effectively communicate the special needs of the congregation; Provide pastoral care from both clergy and laity; Provide care to staff to help facilitate their work; Provide training to church leaders and lay persons on care issues; Conduct retreats and seminars for spiritual development and to build a sense of intimacy among the body; Conduct dynamic and diverse fellowship and social activities.
Our Vision for Christian Education
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Christian education plays a central role in helping us grow as disciples. The Holy Bible is God’s inspired word. Because it is trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our lives. The bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live.
We seek to:
Foster a Christian-based learning environment for people of all ages, outside of and within the congregation, that is relevant and appealing;Provide activities and programs for all ages that focus on spiritual renewal and personal application; Provide training in teaching, leadership and evangelism; Equip lay and clergy leaders to model and communicate an enthusiastic and positive message of hope about the programs and work of the church; Continue and support our Young Adult Volunteer (intern) program, enabling them to assist in the work of the church.
Our Vision for Missions and Outreach
Then Jesus came to them and said, “…therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20
CPC’s mission is a call to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all. By the Holy Spirit, we are gifted and empowered to proclaim the gospel message in works of compassionate service. We seek to:
Increase the emphasis on local and global projects, including adequate funding to see this through; Provide adequate funding to those in and outside the congregation who are in need of emergency food, shelter or transportation; Explore means of attracting the unchurched, especially the unchurched parents of children and youth involved in CPC programs, and to meet their spiritual needs; Respond to the Great Commission by exploring the connection between evangelism and outreach. Simply put, focusing on our individual identity as an outreaching person in the home, workplace, community and all other spheres of our daily lives; and then renewing and deepening our corporate identity as an outreaching community. Witnessing for Christ is central to who we are as a body.
James exhorts us:
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14
Our Vision for Stewardship
Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. Malachi 3:10 from The Message
Stewardship is about being faithful disciples, caring for and managing all that God has given us. Stewardship is the grateful response to God’s grace and goodness. It requires a consideration of how our choices affect others and us, of how we can be good caretakers of the created world and how we can best serve God. It is a pro-active plan that will support our current and future needs. We seek to:
Personally and corporately demonstrate responsible stewardship of our time, talents and money to glorify God; Develop and communicate strategies for increasing revenue; Control expenses by living within our means; Retire our long-term debt; Prioritize spending on the building and grounds, which will allow completion and furnishing of the facility, including paving and landscaping, and correcting acoustical problems in the sanctuary; Communicate clearly and effectively the financial needs and financial condition of the church; Communicate faithfully and regularly a comparison of budgeted and actual income and expenses.
Our Vision for Worship
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Psalm 95:6-7
A worshiping community is a gathering of individuals who worship God together in grateful and joyful obedience to his commands. A worshiping community invites and accepts the presence of the Holy Spirit through whom God provides opportunities for us to experience a new life in Jesus Christ. We seek to:
Offer appealing, inviting worship services that instruct and inspire; Balance our worship style between traditional and contemporary to touch the hearts of all; Increase the involvement of lay people in worship assistant roles; Utilize the expertise of guest speakers.
Please address your comments to Jerry Crabs at PO Box 90, Macks Inn, ID 83433 or use e-mail at jerry126@fretel.com
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