October 2011

TRANSTIONAL LEAD PASTOR’S UPDATE

TO THE CENTRAL HEIGHTS CONGREGATION

OCTOBER 2011

Warmest fall greetings to the Central Heights Congregation.

My last update was over the summer and it is certainly time to connect back with you.

I want to give you a brief update on what the focus has been going into this fall. It could be grouped under three areas.

Your Elders:

Communication is so important at all times and especially during times of transition like CHC is in. There was an Elders’ meeting on Thursday, October 20 and you will be receiving a summary on what was discussed and decisions made. This will be the first on a practice of providing this for the congregation following each Elders’ Council Meeting. The work load is growing and I am concerned for them and what these six men carry. We will be bringing 3-4 new names to you at the November 20 Congregational Meeting for the Membership to approve to add to the Elders Council.  The Elders have established a process to look at how elders are selected and ultimately chosen; this is such a crucial role for God’s church. Also, we have worked through the new Bylaws, Constitution and Core Values, which will come to you for your review at this meeting. I am reviewing the Governance Manual and after we have finalized, this will be placed on the church website, for your information.

Your Staff:

What a privilege it has been for Denise and me to be alongside your staff. There have been a few Team/Community sessions and we continue to align strengths with roles. As I mentioned when Cheryl gave an update, we are investing in your staff. One practical way has been to provide Cheryl with a strategic coach/mentor who has over 40 years experience in children’s ministry and has led a ministry of 400 young lives. Some of you have asked, “How are the staff doing?”, for this was a major concern when I first arrived. We talked about this at a Staff Team session this past Tuesday and it was such an encouragement to hear their positive comments. They have asked to share with you at the November 20 meeting.

Your CHC Vision & Search Process:

I have drafted a summary on vision for both the staff and elders, which they will be reviewing in November. When the ministry leaders and elders meet together on January 13 & 14, we will work towards a final draft. It is not complicated and builds off of where God has richly blessed and led CHC in the past, while including the good work done in the Refocusing process. We will then bring this to you at a future congregational meeting.

Some are also asking, “When will the search process be established?” For now, we are focusing on the vision, for this will determine what kind of leader(s) God will use to see this vision achieved.  I would like to see this in place, early in the New Year.

This is a brief overview for your information and also for prayer. When I spoke on October 9, I mentioned that this church will only be as strong as its prayer life. I do not know about you, but I find prayer takes hard work and discipline. Let’s together make it a priority, both in our personal time with God and in the various corporate times here at CHC.

Personally, Denise and I continue to thank you and thank God for you, and how you have embraced us into your lives; we do not take this for granted.

Warmest blessings and love in Him,

Pastor Bruce

Transitional Lead Pastor