A CONTINENTAL DIVIDE?

We're coming up -as a congregation- on a big moment. This FCJ Weekend reminds me of a particular spot on a state highway that runs north and south just west of Lake Webster, where our extended family has had a cottage for more than 80 years.

The terrain isn't anywhere near as hilly and lovely as our neck of the woods, but it has its own charm. A sign at the edge of this nondescript piece of blacktop announces CONTINENTAL DIVIDE. All the rain that falls on one side of a small rise moves toward the Gulf of Mexico, and the rain that falls on the other side heads for the Atlantic Ocean. (I think that's how it goes...)

So, from a geographic point of view, it's a big deal. Although it all looks rather ordinary.

We're coming up on a moment that will determine which way our future "flows." Will this Christ-centered servant community thrive, reach out with renewed passion and focus, embrace a needy world and share the Good News of God's love in Christ, or will the patterns of the past 20-25 years continue?

Churches are often in the middle of a book study, a planning process, and even our own FUMCB went through a rigorous "strategic planning" (with congregational survey) approximately eight years ago. The results included great insights about ministry needs (hospitality, children's ministries, a ministry to college students, etc.), but there wasn't much of a strategy for moving forward. So as we approach this moment we may be tempted to shrug and say "nothing much will change." I believe, however, we are approaching a "continental divide" moment.

Paul, in Ephesians 4, speaks to a group of people like us. He encourages them to stay connected with God, to open their hearts and minds to what God is saying, and "renew" their thinking as the Spirit speaks to them. The missionary pastor invites them (5:2) to live their lives with love, "following the example of Christ." Whether they will take up this offer at new life, at a new way of being God's community, is up to them.

We're approaching a big moment. Everything in me says this will determine which way our congregation's life will "flow" for the next generation.

I invite you to pray. I invite you to have open minds and open hearts. I invite you to have faith in the God who works through ordinary men and women.

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Please note the listing of events for the upcoming FCJ Weekend Consultation.

You'll find in this email information about how you can help respond to the Ebola crisis in West Africa (bring your checks this weekend or go online to donate - see the details below).

Finally, you'll find out about our next series of messages and some very specific life steps we are inviting you to take in simplifying your life, giving to others, and growing your faith.

Be generous with the check you will bring this weekend for UMCOR-Disaster Response. Go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=_or7k0WqSHk to see about the United Methodist Committee on Relief's response to the Ebola outbreak, and go to  http://www.umcor.org/umcor/donate/ebolaresponse to donate today if you can't wait for Sunday.

God is good!

In Christ and for Christ,

Mark Fenstermacher