AtomMore Than Numbers
“So, those who welcomed Peter’s message (about the risen Christ) were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2:41
If you are like me, when you look at an annual report, two things tend to happen. One, your eyes begin to glaze…
If you are like me, when you look at an annual report, two things tend to happen. One, your eyes begin to glaze because of all the information here that you are not sure what to do with, or two, you look first at the budget to see what the bottom line is. Did we finish in the black last year? If so, how much of an increase in budget can we really accommodate this year? In either case we may miss seeing the annual report as a report on “ministry” and changed lives touched by the Spirit of the Risen Christ.
So, as we sift through the numbers and percentages, just a few reflections on how the Spirit has used the ministries and the building and the generosity of God’s people to share the good news…
• Approximately 560 souls were fed through word and sacrament each weekend.
• 225 youth learned about the faith in our Sunday School ministry.
• 110 young people through grade five and 80 youth and adult volunteers celebrated and grew together through Vacation Bible School.
• 88 youth in grades 6 through 10 (and their families) focused on their Christian walk through confirmation ministry.
• 40 children in Wednesday Faith Friends learned about Jesus and laughed a lot.
• 29 fifth graders completed instruction with their parents and celebrated their First Communion.
• 45 families found a new church home with us.
• 30 children and youth who were baptized into the Christian community.
• 12 couples made their wedding promises with us.
• 25 families and their friends heard the promise of resurrection hope and were served by their friends and neighbors as they mourned their loved ones.
• Numerous community groups and agencies (Lutheran Social Service, Alcoholics Anonymous, Beginning Experience, Pre-School screening) used our space to implement their ministries in the community.
Of course the list could get longer…but I think you get the idea. You could add the several hundred adults participating in the various Bible Studies and learning opportunities and fellowship events offered. You could add all those finding ways to use their gifts through the various volunteer ministries of Christ’s church. The gist is this…God is using this place…God is using you to make a difference in Detroit Lakes and beyond! Thanks for all you do for the kingdom.
Finally…I thank God for the wonderful group of ministers I have the privilege of serving with: Pastor Dave, Pastor Jim (until he retired), Judy, Tanzy, Ardys, Candie, Joy, Twylla, Carol, Angie, Eric, Beth, Kari, Sandy, Mary T., and Mary B., as well as our talented music staff. Thanks, also, to Lynette Price, our congregational chair, and the rest of the Vision Council for their faithful leadership. There are countless others…choirs and musicians and drama team and puppet team members…worship leaders, leaders of the women and Action Corps, Altar guild and flower people, bus drivers and builders, and servers of food! I dare say that I will forget to mention someone…but thank you! It is a privilege to be one of your pastors.
Serving with you,
Pastor Wade
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