What's New?

There are three things on my mind as I write this blog.  Well, there are really four, five, or six, but I will keep it to three.
    First, I have been asked on several occasions lately about the call process for a new senior pastor.  My answer has been the Call Committee is functioning.  In fact, this coming Thursday a candidate will be visiting Epiphany.  The schedule is simple.  The candidate arrives on Thursday and leaves on Friday.  The visit includes tours of the buildings and the surrounding communities, meals with a few members of the committee, a three hour interview with the whole committee, and a meeting with the staff.  After the candidate’s departure, both he and the Committee decide if the process will continue.  On the light side, I have wondered how the Call Committee is going to do all of this and have the new senior pastor at Epiphany by this Easter morning.  I have been told by one member of the Committee that he doesn’t feel the miracle of the new pastor arriving by this Easter.
    There is usually an apology connected with the question about the progress of the Call Committee.  The individual wants to assure me that I have done nothing wrong, that I am not being pushed out the door, and maybe he or she should not have asked the question.  There is great concern for my feelings.  Let me assure you that Epiphany and its disciples have been great.  For the health of Epiphany, the new senior has to come.  The question about the Call Committee is appropriate.  My feelings are in no way hurt.
    The second thing on my mind is two task forces that have just been formed.  One task force is addressing the ministry at the Austin campus.  This task force will answer the question, What will it take for Austin to be a growing congregation?  According to the Southern Ohio Synod, for a congregation to be self-sustaining it must have an average worship attendance of 125 per weekend to support ministry that meets the needs of its members and the surrounding community.  The Austin Task Force is current preparing a survey for those who worship at this campus.  The task force will also survey the community to determine the ministries that we can deliver to meet the needs of its neighbors.  I have asked Erin Halogowski and Jane Lane to think about how young people in confirmation can meet the requirements of this program at Austin instead of at Far Hills.  This report is due no later than June of this year.
    Far Hills will have a similar task force.  This task force will study the demographics of the communities that surround the Far Hills campus.  It will ask and answer the question, What are the ministries that need to be in place five and ten years from now so that the Far Hills campus will be growing as a result of meeting the needs of those who worship at this campus and those who live in the surrounding community?
    Finally, I am thinking about the fun I am having with the Lenten series.  While I believe serving the Lord is the primary reason behind what a Christian does, I believe thoroughly enjoying yourself in that service is an absolute plus.  It has been fun for me to revisit Mark and to share both old and new insights with you.
Pastor Pete