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- It’s here...a new year...with a new theme, new decisions, new challenges, but the same wonderful Lord.
- This year our focus is on “Following His Lead.”
- We want to be willing, prepared, and obedient in following His direction.
- Our aim, our commitment for 2012 as a church family as well as individual believers reflects the message of the hymn: “Wherever He leads, I’ll go.”
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- THE THEME SPEAKS OF THREE ELEMENTS...
- 1) Following...
- It means it won’t be a year where we’ll focus a lot on our own strategies and programs, but on being ready at any moment to follow His direction, His lead...even if it means scrapping a program and beginning fresh.
- It means waiting until we know where He’s sending us, and THEN moving in obedience.
- 2) His...
- It means we have no intention of leading God, but following Him.
- It means we’re wanting to accomplish His will, whatever that is, and in whatever form that might take, rather than chasing our own agendas.
- And it means that all of us, including the pastor and ministry leaders, need to be followers first, then leading others only as we know where God is leading all of us.
- 3) Leading...
- It means as soon as He gives us directions, we need to immediately, boldly, courageously, and unselfishly move in that direction...laying aside our pride, any ties to “tradition only for tradition’s sake” mentality, and our own personal preferences, exchanging them instead for what will be most effective in accomplishing His purposes, His plans for us.
- AND EACH OF THE THREE ELEMENTS CARRIES ITS OWN SET OF CHALLENGES...
- 1) Following...
- Especially for those of us who are achievement-driven and have been brought up under the work ethic that says, “Don’t just stand there, do something,” it presents an extreme challenge to just stand / sit and wait until we know where He’s leading before we move..
- 2) His...
- Especially for those of us who have been leaders for many years, it will be hard to sit back and let God lead in His timing and His ways, both of which are not like ours.
- 3) Leading...
- This will perhaps present the greatest difficulty of all for many of us...because if He is leading, it means we must be followers, we must submit our wills to His will, our pride to His worthiness, and our goals and expectations, agendas and preferences to His goals, His desires, and His direction.
- But we CAN DO it through His power...and it will be a thrilling adventure when we do.
- LET’S DO IT! Together, let’s follow His lead in 2012.
- And in the meantime, know that I love serving as your pastor.
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