Q and A

At the all-church meeting and vote on Sunday, April 6, 2014, I invited anyone with to write out their question.  I committed to responding to each question personally.  (One condition replied and that was any question submitted had to include a name. I explained that whenever I get anonymous notes, questions or complaints, I simply trash them because they do not allow for biblical or healthy communication).   I have now met with all but one to follow up with their question either in person or by phone or by email—depending on their preference. 

I have learned that one person’s question often represent that of others and so I thought I would share the questions submitted (there were one or two questions that were so particular to the individual that I will not share them because I do not feel they would apply to a larger audience) on April 6 (without the names) and share the response I gave them.

Question: What curriculum will the new children’s (K-5^th grade) be following? 

Answer:  Jerry and Susan Reynolds will be leading and the present children’s SS teachers facilitating the children through a hands-on, interactive learning time that will use the Bible and the Orange Curriculum.  This new format begins Sunday, May 4 and, as a parent, I am excited to see how excited my children are about it.  As a Pastor I believe that what Jerry and Susan are preparing will allow our children and grandchildren to connect with Jesus not only with their mind, but through all of their senses. 

Question: Are we going to do something about the lack of nursery care on Wednesday nights?

Answer:  We have done all we can do.  We have made the need known to our church family and the lack of response suggests that this is not something that we see as a priority at this time.  In addition, the “marble in a cup” vote that was taken on April 6 shows that our Wednesday night ministry only received 2 marbles.  The church family through this exercise said this was one of the lowest ministries priorities we have for helping a person to grow in their faith.   Therefore, I believe it is fair and faithful to the church family’s heart to say that we will NOT be putting more energy and resources into Wednesday night programming so that we can better put our resources into the other ministries that the church has said serve a greater need and purpose at this time.  In short, it would appear that Wednesday night ministry as it has been is coming to an end.  I am very proud of our church family for having the courage to give us permission to release what once was such an effective ministry to better help us do what is most effective now.  Your vision and heart in this again blows me away!  Most churches find it almost impossible to release any ministry no matter how much more effective it will allow them to be in other ways.  I am so proud of my church family!

Question: What about new believers?  How can we help them grow in their faith? 

Answer:  Each time someone indicates he or she has made a decision to follow Christ I send a personal note with a letter that shares what the Bible says about what it means to grow in one’s faith.  I explain that as with any relationship, the more you give to that relationship the healthier and more meaningful it will be.  So, I first equip them in personal Bible reading and prayer.  Next, I share how important it is to get connected with other believers past Sunday worship for encouragement, accountability, study and prayer.  I then list all of the opportunities available.  I then encourage them to find their place of service.  Every step of the way, I offer contact numbers and emails. 

I learned a long time ago in ministry that those who truly want to grow in their faith will pick up the phone or send an email when it is given if they really want to grow.  When a new believer does so, then the staff and I been over backwards to get them connected and growing.  And those who take that step always grow!

Question:  Why do we rope off the two side sections?  Why does it matter where my family sits?

Answer:  The reason is very practical.  Studies show that seating impacts the message we send to regular attenders and guests.  If we are over 80% full then we send the message there is not room for anyone new.  Likewise, if we are too empty feeling then the message, right or wrong, is that nothing is happening here.  So, we have been blocking off the side sections simply because at the present time they are not needed.  This allows us to fill in the center sections allowing us to be more connected in our worship.  Furthermore, on days when we need extra seats, ushers can easily direct people to the roped off section as “overflow seating.”  Finally, before I arrived there were plans to one day remodel the sanctuary to be in line with the remodel of the rest of the building.  The side sections are roped off because on down the road those sections would most likely be the sections most impacted by the remodel and so it seems to make sense to get us use to the potential change in seating now.

As to the second question, “Why does it matter where my family sits?”,  the person I met with was so great about allowing me to push back and ask in turn, “Why does it matter where your family sits?”  What is the heart behind this?  Why has a certain seat become so important?  Because, after all, a family can sit together in lots of other places, so why does that place matter so much?   So, why does it matter where any of us sit?  The point is not where we sit, but who we are here to worship and the fact that the point of worship is not to section off ourselves as families, but to connect with one another as a church family. I so respect this person for raising this question and allowing me to push back on their push pack.  This is the kind of person I want on our team!

Question: Who were the members of the nominating committee?

Answer: I appointed, with the board’s approval, Joe Tarantino, Ben Holloway and Victoria Pavlantos and then asked them to bring three people with them.  I gave them the expectations I have for board members and did not participate in the meeting so that it can never be said I only get my “favorites” on the board.  I only asked them to consider the counsel of General Superintendent, Jerry Porter, who encourages us to elect a board that reflects the face of the whole church.  In turn, they nominated about 35 people and of those 10 accepted based on the said expectations.

Question: Will the new child check-in security system have who is approved to pick up the child?

Answer: Yes.  The form the parents will fill out will have a place for parents to list who is approved for pick-up.  However, only the approved person with the child’s pick up sticker will be permitted to take the child from the class.

Question:  Is there any plan to reinstate community outreach through the music department (specifically through combined church choir events and Christmas/Easter cantatas)?

Answer:  1) Combined Choir concerts:  If our choir members would like to plan, organize and implement a combined choir concert with other churches as a community outreach, I would fully support their efforts.  I even believe this could be a great way to find a community need and do a fund raiser for it which would show our community that churches can work together for a common good. 2) Christmas/Easter Cantatas—I believe that time has shown that this particular ministry has seen its best days in the past. I use to be a Roman Guard in my home church cantata.  It was a great ministry for a season!  However, the reason I hear church after church no longer doing this ministry is because the people it was intended to reach with the gospel ceased to be reached for the most part and it seemed to become a venue where other church people from other churches turn out.  That being said, I believe the Cantatas taught us that drama and creativity in worship has a place in our corporate worship gatherings.  So, rather than offer creative communication at Christmas and Easter we will work hard to offer these elements every Sunday in some way or another to “by all means win some.”  So, if you have a heart for drama or have a creative side wanting to be expressed, please contact me or Pastor Dan and we will get you involved!

Question:  Why do we have hymnals if we do not use them?  Why not give the hymnals away to a church that might benefit from them?

Answer:  This question comes from one of our older members and I could not agree more.  I do not see the value in keeping hymnals in pews when we are not and do not plan to use them.  That does not mean I do not value hymns.  As you have noticed, we regularly and will continue to incorporate hymns in worship.  With all of our music selections, the songs are selected that go along with the Scripture and theme for each worship gathering. 

Question: What attention will be given to the preschool Sunday School classes? 

Answer:  This question I have to redirect to our Sunday School Superintendent whose vision has allowed us to make needed and excited enhancements to our K-5^th classes already.  Pamela Wagner is great and is always available to work with others to keep making SS ministry better. 

I hope you found this helpful.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Pastor Dan…ha! Just kidding!  I am always available. 

See you Sunday and we continue the 8^th Day series.  This Sunday, Melba Bixby will be sharing how God gave her a new day!