Weekly Reflections

Although adapting to change (small though it may be) has been a challenge. Personally, I am very grateful for the goodwill, cooperation, prayer, and enthusiasm that everyone has shared. But we are just at the beginning and the venture is still fraught. At first we thought that the 10am congregation may not be viable. As it has turned out both congregations have grown in similar ways. But the plateau happens very early in church planting and we are already on a plateau (albeit a bit rocky (see the graph). Both congregations are averaging around 45 each week.

What should we do about this? We have a few choices:

• Return to a single morning service at 9.00am
• Keep on challenging ourselves regarding the irregular attendance that plagues most churches (see the graph again)
• Pick up and act on some of the good “Bridging Groups” ideas  we thought of last year, and seek other ways to bring the gospel to others.

Are there ministries that you could be involved in, that would help build up this body of Christ?

Part of our preparation for the new congregations was getting a better understanding of being an inviting church.  We should give thanks for the opportunities we have taken to invite others, and for those who have joined us since September.

Let us continue to bring the gospel to others, and to work for the building up of this church. And let us remember that it is the Word of God and the Spirit of God that change lives – both ours and others.

Dale