Moderator Report March 2025

 

Moderator Report

March 2025

 

One fourth of 2025 is in the books. That went by fast! We are observing Lent, gearing up for Palms Sunday, Resurrection Sunday, and Red River Presbytery.

Seek Justice. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Our standing committees have not met, but we have had activity in these functional areas.

Missions.

NTR. Note place in bulletin and announced.

Worship.

We should learn Whosoever Will. It would be a good selection for our Presbytery worship.

Education

NTR

Building and Grounds.

There is an assortment of B&G items in the B&G Mailbox that has been there for a while.

Food for thought.

·         We should make a few minor repairs in the sanctuary before Presbytery (does not have to be the long-term solution).

·         Pastor turnover might be a good time to replace the desk and workstation. The next pastor will also need a CPU & monitor or notebook. The office printer is over 15 years old and is surely due for replacement but it has given us a good run.  I would advise budgeting for these things for the FY 26 budget and then discussing what is needed with the next pastor.

Fellowship

We had a small but enjoyable fellowship meal on 2 February 2025. We need to decide what to do with fellowship meals going forward.

Other

May is Membership Month. Let’s coordinate to invite those who attend regularly or with more than the twice a year frequency to join the congregation. I am not talking about Tom making an announcement several times and hoping for the best. Let’s plan this work and work our plan.

Pastor Turnover. CIF Goal is 1 April; 2025. What you want in your next pastor goal is 1 May 2025. These are not dates to turn in the forms but to get the nuts and bolts established.

Sometime after Spring Presbytery, we (the session) should send a letter to the BOM and Committee on Clergy, Theology, and Social Concerns requesting to dissolve the pastoral relationship with me and approve one in which I am designated as Stated Supply. This keeps us in line with not searching for a pastor while such a relationship already exists. This would go to Presbytery in September for approval.

Since the last time you called a pastor, the Standing Rules of Red River Presbytery have been updated to require the Board of Missions to have a liaison during your search and for the BOM to review the pastoral contract. Note:  The rules do not say approve. The BOM does not have approval authority of who the church calls, but they are the committee assigned to recommend the minister receiving the call to Presbytery.

Therefore, I have enclosed a copy of a contract we reviewed at this month’s BOM meeting. I redacted only the pastor's name.

I suggest that each session member drafts their own verbiage before meeting collectively to arrive at a corporate synopsis. I would also suggest that the session have a “Define who we are” meeting following the scheduled session meeting.

I am on the BOM and can be your liason.

Annual Report. Submitted.

Minutes. Submitted.

Finances.

QR Code Link to Online Giving. Are we there yet? This item was moved to the report section of the agenda.

Projects in Search of a Champion.  

Dates for Planning Purposes.

Unfinished Business.

 

 

Balance

The life of the church is important to believers. We share the gospel, encourage and comfort each other, and do the things that God planned for us to do before we were born. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed. Sometimes we think that we should do more. I ask that you consider what we are called to do and what we are doing and see if we have some balance (not equality but balance).

We want to reach people and see them in worship, education, and fellowship activities, but we also know that through the ages, God has worked with a remnant. Sometimes we are to grow. Sometimes we are to strengthen what remains. We want to get it right.  We want the right balance. The session is likely the only place where balance is discussed much among leaders.

Let’s do a simple exercise called RAD (Recognize – Analyze – Divide) and see what we already know. You may want to grow the lists in each area. Let’s start with what we recognize.

Worship

Sunday Morning Worship X2

Wednesday Evening Worship (usually 1 time per month)

Summer Singing (1 time per month)

Thanksgiving worship and meal

Christmas worship and meal

Community Services (2 times per year)

CPC Birthday Worship & Fellowship Meal

 

Fellowship

5^th Sunday Meals (currently suspended for 2024)

Summer Singing (1 time per month)

Thanksgiving worship and meal

Christmas worship and meal

One Pot Meal + Activities X2 (sometimes X3)

CPC Birthday Worship & Fellowship Meal

 

Education

Sunday School

Wednesday Evenings (7 Months)

Occasional Bible Studies

Outreach/Evangelism

Walk A Block for Jesus (or other event/activity to reach those beyond our walls)

Hour of Power

Broadcast of services (can be a double-edged sword)

Online Posts – Life of the Church

Wristbands/Gospels/Other giveaway items for any occasion

Food Ministry

Take home supplies to give to Trick or Treaters

 

Reserved for Families (Typically nothing scheduled for the body other than Sunday morning worship)

Resurrection Sunday

Mothers’ Day

Father’s Day

Christmas Day

Days/Times Unique to  a specific family/families

 

Other Activities

Meetings

Committee/Commission Work

 

Worldly Competitors – Not saying these are good, bad, or ugly, but they are competitors for our time and energy.

Youth Sports (Traditional boundaries of Sunday and Wednesday are nearly eviscerated).

Travel (We are a very mobile society)

Livelihood (You don’t work. You don’t eat or make the car payment)

  

Other Areas of Consideration

Salvation belongs to the Lord, but these belong to us:

Worship

Evangelism

Discipleship

Education

Fellowship

 

CPC uniqueness

Known for our grace

Connectional (among judicatories, generations, and institutions)

Connectional (among members. Campers, Presbytery meetings, Youth Retreats, and General Assembly help with connections)

 

Balance in the Body of Christ

 

We are commissioned to take the good news to the world. The subordinate missions are to make disciples, baptize, and teach the words of our Master. We are the body of Christ. We are letters and ambassadors from Christ. We are a family of faith.

·       We as believers are charged to put the words of Jesus into practice.

·       We are challenged to take his yoke and learn from him.

·       We witness to the lost.

·       We testify among believers. Sometimes, our testimony and witness use the same words.

·       We are to be good examples for others, salt and light in the world.

·       We carry our own loads and help those who need help with theirs.

·       We fellowship with one another.

·       We grow in God’s grace as individuals and as the body of Christ.

Our comfort zone is labeled Growing.

We as the session in our role as the spiritual leaders of this body must be aware of our balance in doing so many things, with so many others not listed.

Too much evangelism (if there is such a thing) at the expense of education and discipleship gives people the illusion that they have reached the finish line when our race of faith has only begun. Real and abundant life is just beginning.

Too much teaching and training at the expense of fellowship detracts from the assurance that we know as believers. We must always encourage one another, pray with and for each other, and just enjoy being family.

That doesn’t mean that we divide up what we do evenly. It means that we who have been called to this special form of ordained service observe, discuss, and take action when needed if we think we are a little out of kilter.

We are the keepers of the balance keys.  That said: Unto everything, there is a season…

There will be times for surges. Evangelism should be ongoing, but often it gravitates to events (Day at the Park, VBS, Backpack Ministry).

Fellowship should be continuous, but what once came naturally, is now challenged more than ever by the demands of the world. What do we do?

Discipleship and Christian education take us to and through difficult topics and issues if we are up to really hearing what God is saying to us.  Making disciples will cause friction with the world. If you haven’t read your Bibler lately, that’s a good thing.

As we do our best in our positions which God has called us to and to which we have answered the call, realize this. You are not here by accident. God knew exactly what he was doing when he put you here. Surrender to God’s leading. Put the gifts and talents that God gave you to work now. Produce good fruit.

What will that fruit look like?

·       Reaching more people with the good news.

·       Choosing wisdom over sentiment and jumping on the world’s bandwagon.

·       Helping those who truly need help.

·       Speaking the truth in love (not judgmental condemnation) not only to help those to whom we speak, but as a sign of our maturity in Christ.

·       Discipling a new believer by walking with them as we follow Christ together.

·       Enjoying doing what God leads us to do and enjoying each other in the process.

·       Living less as an organization and more as a family.

·       Trusting God over our own understanding more and more.

·       Being known as a follower of Jesus by our love.

Surely there are others that come to mind. Sometimes, the proof is in the pudding, aka, we know we are balanced when we are producing fruit by reaching the lost and enjoying the fellowship of the body while we do it.

Sometimes, we see where we should be producing fruit but we are not. Do we try another way? Do we continue with what we are doing but fertilize a little more and give something more attention?

Please think, pray, and meditate upon these statements, some of which may be provocative.

Remember, that group thinking is improved many times over if preceded by individual thinking, and such thinking can help avoid the trap of groupthink. Remember that acceptance time takes time. That is, when you hear someone else’s idea and it’s just different, your first tendency is to reject it. If we give our minds some acceptance time, we might see value where we only saw difference before.

So do your individual thinking, Put this balance thing into your prayer life. Give the Spirit that lives within you a chance to speak to you. Let’s discuss balance at our July meeting.

 

F4 Finale for Spring 22

 Final F4 – 27 April 22

Here’s a suggested order

Here is the draft for the order of service (mostly fun and fellowship)

Doors locked until 5:45 pm.

6:00 – 6:30 pm  Meal

6:30 – 6:40 pm  Clean up and prep for worship

6:40 - 7:30 pm  Finale in Sanctuary

Worship Warm-Ups

Prayer

Memory Verses - Suggested

John 3:16-17

James 1:19-20

Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 3:5-6

2 Timothy 1:7

Joshua 1:9

John 13:34-35

Drama if possible.  I suggest Garrett and Robert do The 411 on the 316 again.

Instructions for the summer (VBS/Camp/Restart F4 probably on 14 Sep).

Energizes (if time available)

Prayer

Dismissal instructions

Committee Meetings 28 February 2021

 

Committee Meetings

28 February 2021

6 pm

 

It has been a while since all committees met.  Please take attendance and include it on the committee report.  We do a lot by text and phone, but having all committees meeting at the same time allows for cross-committee coordination. For example, Kendra may need to talk to the Education Committee about VBS. 

Below are some agenda items for each committee to prime the pump.  All should be discussed.  Not all require action.  Each committee will likely add other items.  Please capture them in your reports.  Please schedule your next meeting.  Not all committees need to meet every month.

 

Worship—Helping all participate in worshiping God

Songs we know

Choir Practice

Music for Songs in Hymnals

Training Acolytes

Weekly Email (traditional service)

Weekly Message (First Light)

Preparation of Sanctuary

Cross Committee Coordination

Next Meeting

 

Education—Curriculum faithful to biblical truth

Quarterly Reports from SS Superintendent

VBS Plans

Memory Verses

Coordinated Curriculum Jr Hight to Senior Adult

Vetting New Teachers

Cross Committee Coordination

Next Meeting

 

Missions – faithful to reaching people with the gospel

Walk A Block

Food Boxes

Town Celebration (Independence Day/October?)

Other outreach

Cross Committee Coordination

Next Meeting

 

 

Building and Grounds—caring for facilities now and planning for the future

Urgent Needs

Current Needs

Future Needs

Cross Committee Coordination

Next Meeting

 

 

Fellowship—enjoying and taking care of the body of Christ

Fellowship Teams

Meal Planning for F4

Cost Savings

Cross Committee Coordination

Next Meeting

Meeting Areas

Youth Exploratory – Tom’s office

Worship – Sanctuary

Education – Kathy’s Classroom

Missions – Sr Adult Classroom

Building & Grounds – Younger Elementary Classroom

Fellowship – Fellowship Hall

 

 

 

Our Standing Committees

 

Committees

Worship – In concert with the minister, prepares the order of worship, sanctuary, ushers, banners, and other aspects of corporate worship.  Selecting hymns and arranging for musicians or music from playlists, making sure liturgists know when they are scheduled, and arranging for special music and readings.  Also arranges for the training of acolytes, ushers, and arranges for choir practice.

Building and Grounds—Inspects the property of the church with eyes for maintenance requirements.  Identifies major areas requiring repair or replacement to the session, conducts minor maintenance, and proposes and coordinates workdays when needed. Contracts the Janitor.

Missions—Connects the body of Christ with the community through events, food, distribution of gospels, and other outreach efforts.  Missions work that you might know—Backpack Ministry, Chewy Tuesdays, food baskets, Walk A Block for Jesus, and more with opportunities for new missions.  The church was made for mission.  This committee organizes the bulk of our corporate mission work.  Such work can include mission trips near and far away. Think God’s Love in Action.

Education—In concert with the Sunday School Superintendent, checks curriculum for soundness, coordinates VBS, recruits and vets teachers, and proposes educational events.  Think a workman approved for every good work.  Special attention is given to our children and youth.

Fellowship—Focuses mostly internally on keeping the body of Christ healthy and connected in many ways.  Meals on 5^th Sundays, funeral dinners, and just get-togethers that let the people enjoy being God’s children with each other.  Also looks for new faces during worship services, welcomes them, and invites them to other activities of this body. This committee should always be on the lookout for anyone who does not seem to be connecting.  We have no strangers within the body.  Koinonia, inclusion, and family are keywords to this committee.

 There are other ways to use your gifts and talents. Some are called and equipped to visit shut-ins. Some are prayer warriors. Many here have the gift of service. Whatever your interests or skills, there is a role for you to contribute to the church's mission. 

There is a place for you on one of these groups that plans and organizes, putting you right in the middle of the church's work. You do not have to be a member of the church to serve on a committee.

F4 & Other Wednesday Activities

 F-4 Activity Schedule

 

FALL 2021

8 SEP	WORSHIP
15 SEP	CLASSES
22 SEP	WORSHIP
29 SEP	CLASSES
6 OCT	CLASSES
13 OCT	CLASSES
20 OCT	WORSHIP
27 OCT	CLASSES
3 NOV	WORSHIP
10 NOV	CLASSES
17 NOV	FINALE

 

WORSHIP -4    CLASSES – 6   OTHER – 1  BREAK – 0

 

  1 Dec 21 - 1 Pot Meal + Activities

15 Dec 21 - 1 Pot Meal + Activities

SPRING 2022

12 JAN	WORSHIP
19 JAN	CLASSES
26 JAN	CLASSES
2 FEB	WORSHIP
9 FEB	CLASSES
16 FEB	CLASSES
23 FEB	CLASSES
2 MAR	WORSHIP	ASH WEDNESDAY
9 MAR	CLASSES
16 MAR	SPRING BREAK
23 MAR	CLASSES
30 MAR	CLASSES
6 APR	CLASSES
13 APR	WORSHIP	RESURRECTION SERVICE
20 APR	CLASSES
27 APR	FINALE

 

WORSHIP -4    CLASSES – 10   OTHER – 1  BREAK - 1

F4 Fall 2018 - Spring 2019

Here is our F4 schedule for the months ahead.

F4 Activity Schedule

Fall 2018

DATE	ACTIVITY	NOTES
12 SEP	CLASSES	ORIENTATION IN CLASSROOM – Team 1
19 SEP	CLASSES	Team 1
26 SEP	CLASSES	Team 2
3 OCT	WORSHIP	Team 2
10 OCT	CLASSES	Team 3
17 OCT	DO NOT MEET	FALL BREAK
24 OCT	CLASSES	Team 3
31 OCT	DO NOT MEET	TRUNK OR TREAT
7 NOV	WORSHIP	Team 1
14 NOV	THANKSGIVING MEAL	TALENT PARADE – Team 2 & 3

Totals:   5 classes              2 worship services                         1 special meal and talent parade

Spring 2019

DATE	ACTIVITY	NOTES
16 JAN	CLASSES	ORIENTATION IN CLASSROOM – Team 1
23 JAN	CLASSES	Team 1
30 JAN	CLASSES	Team 1
6 FEB	WORSHIP	Team 2
13 FEB	CLASSES	Team 2
20 FEB	CLASSES	Team 2
27 FEB	CLASSES	Team 2
6 MAR	WORSHIP	ASH WEDNESDAY – Team 3
13 MAR	CLASSES	Team 3
20 MAR	DO NOT MEET	SPRING BREAK
27 MAR	CLASSES	Team 3
3 APR	CLASSES	Team 3
10 APR	CLASSES	Team 1
17 APR	WORSHIP	EASTER CELEBRATION – Team 2
24 APR	WORSHIP	MEN AND WOMEN (1 & 2)
1 MAY	SPRING FINALE	DRAMAS & MUSIC - All

Totals:   10 classes                4 worship services               1 special meal and activities

Clean Up Teams: 
1 – Men and Younger Elementary
2 – Women and Older Elementary
3 – Jr/Sr Youth