New Life Ministry Transitions

Thanks for taking the time to visit our blog to catch up on what is happening at New Life, especially with how things are transitioning after Pastor Fred's departure. I think the easiest way to do this is to break it down in categories: Worship, Children's Ministry, and Special Events.

Worship:
I have put together a Worship Planning Team to help with the planning and leading of our worship services. At this time we are not going to "hire" a person to be our worship pastor but it will be a group effort in which I will provide specific oversight. Including myself, the planning team currently consists of Janelle Daniels and Mimi Klotz. Andy Denniston was initially on the team but stepped down due to time commitments. We are also considering other individuals with an evident heart for worship to be involved in the near future, especially someone with the skills and heart for leading the choir.

My guess is there are some of you wondering just how this change will affect the style or tenor of the worship services. Our goal is to continue to plan and lead God-honoring worship so people can experience His presence. I won't mislead you, there will be a "younger" spirit to our worship times. By that I mean, we do plan to use guitars, electric bass, piano and even drums (should someone have the skill to play) in our worship services. The organ will have its place in our worship times too. You can't sing "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" with out the unique swell of the organ! Also, I think the "spirit" or feel of our worship times will have a younger character to it. Meaning worship times will be celebratory and participatory. Joy ought to characterize our worship and people should feel a sense of contribution and involvement to our services, not merely be observers watching others leading worship.

As a team we are committed to using any song-style or music form that will aid us in genuinely worshiping God. That means we will use hymns, choruses, and praise & worship songs to accomplish this. I think last Sunday's service is an indication of what our future services will be like. We sang a traditional hymn, a couple of praise & worship songs, and a well known older chorus. We can debate about how many hymns or praises songs ought be included but that would detract from the goal which is to honor God with what we offer in each worship service. I encourage you to prayerfully support our Worship Planning Team. Pray for God's Spirit to guide and inspire each worship leader as they plan and lead our times of worship. Pray that we will be a united congregation as we worship God together each week.

After writing all this I feel like words don't do justice to what I am trying to communicate to you. Jesus used to tell inquisitive people to, "Come and see." if they wanted to know more about Him and what He was up to. I invite you who are wondering what possible good can come from Fred's departure to "Come and See" for yourselves. I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised and delighted with what God will do through the persons He's gifted in our church to lead our worship times.

Children's Ministries:
An area Fred had given recent oversight to was the children's ministry. He and a team of dedicated church members restructured and refocused our Sunday morning children's program. The result is a program that is well tailored to spiritually build up and train our children. Sunday's children's worship center is fun, engaging and biblically based. There are no major changes planned, only the desire to continue the course it's on and modify when necessary.

The current Children's Ministries Team consists of: Jenni Sprague, Landi Moore, Joy Bauer, Leslie Galema and Pastor John Crump provides pastoral guidance and input. They also plan to include some more individuals on the team in the future. Jenni has done a stellar job of providing leadership and focus for our children's ministry since Fred's departure. We can be thankful for how God has provided capable leaders for our church. Again, please pray for the Children's Ministry Team members to be led by God's Spirit as they plan and staff our children's programs.

Special Events:
Of the three main areas of ministry Fred gave direction to this one is just in the beginning stages of being accounted for. My plan is to create a team of gifted and motivated persons to take charge of this unique area of ministry. As for now Patty Nicholas has been providing guidance to this area and has indicated she would like to continue to do so on a Special Events Planning Team. This would be a wonderful opportunity for anyone who enjoys planning and providing dinners, hospitality, and special touches to serve our church.

If you have questions or concerns please talk with me, pastor John Crump or the Steering Committee members (Joe Davis, Andy Denniston, Kelli Brooks, Belva Nylander, Gary Murray, Paul Daniels). We will gladly make time to discuss the life, ministry and future of our church with you.

I want to conclude by quoting the words God gave to Moses in which Israel's priests were to bless the people as they ventured into their new life in the Promised Land. May these words be true of New Life Community Church.

May--
"The Lord bless us
and keep us;
May
He make His face shine
upon us
and be gracious to us;
May
the Lord turn His face toward us
and give us peace."
(Numbers 6:24-26)

It's my pleasure to serve you,
John Klotz
Senior Pastor