The Spirit - July 7, 2022
THOUGHTS FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER
Rev. David Clifford
As I write this (Tuesday morning), I find myself with a renewed energy. I am just getting back into the office after a 2-week vacation, which followed my installation service. I am thankful to the entire church and the board for the opportunity to take some much-needed time to spend with my family and be away for a bit. My energy and spirit are both recharged and I am ready to push toward the fall and hopefully help us continue moving forward as we pull ourselves out of the COVID slump.
There is much on my desk that we are currently working on. The leadership of the church is working diligently figuring out the best ways to live into our calling as a congregation. The board is extremely close to finalizing our governance structure. The Elders and Deacons are both working toward renewing their callings within the life of our church’s ministry. Don’t forget that we started our Wednesday Pastor’s Bible Study this week.
I believe it is now time to request each of you to begin the discernment work that our leadership has been undertaking. Discernment is a spiritual process in which God guides us in following the best path available to us. There are next steps that we each must take in our own spiritual walk. We pray that our spirits will follow the path God would have for us: both as individuals and as a congregation within Christ’s Church.
I recently had some pastoral conversations with a wonderful couple whose marriage was being challenged by the changes in their lives following COVID. As life-styles changed and demands upon each of the couple changed, the things that once worked within their marriage were no longer working. There were a number of questions that we explored together that I thought could also be helpful in our relationship with the church. I’m not sure if we will more structurally use these questions at some point, but I would encourage each of you to spend some time processing how you might answer each of the questions below as you think about your relationship with First Christian Church:
- What do we like to do together for fun? What brings you joy right now in your personal life?
- Who is in charge of what right now? (jobs and responsibilities change over time, we must ask if our structure matches our reality—this is much of what is driving our governance changes)
- What is one thing we like about our church right now?
- How have we been able to help each other through hard times in the past?
- Are we still on the same page about our beliefs and theology? (this question might be a little vague within our denomination’s approach, but I do see the denomination working through some tensions between unity and justice) What are the tensions in our theology?
- What is a concern you have about our congregation that you haven’t shared with anyone?
- How can our church help you feel more loved?
- What would help you take one step to being closer to Jesus?
Please join me in spending some time thinking and praying through these questions. There are no right or wrong answers. They are meant to help us begin a dialogue with one another and God as we continue to build the church Christ wants us to be.
Peace Always, Rev. David Clifford
NEW BOARD STRUCTURE
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FCCH Full Board -Meeting Update By Nic Womack June 23, 2022 What: The Full General Board met and voted on the recommended changes to the FCCH Policy Handbook. The vote was the first of two consecutive votes required by the church By-Laws. Next Step: A second Full Board meeting will convene at 6:30 on July 21, 2022. At which time, the General Board will take a second vote needed to implement the changes. The purpose of the change is to become more efficient in the management of the Church’s affairs. Hard copies of the new FCCH Policy Handbook will be available at the church office. |
For those that might not be aware, the FCCH Board has been in the midst of experimenting with a temporary new governance structure for the past two years. Our current board structure consists of some 20 positions. Not only was the work of the board getting tedious, but we were also struggling to fill all the positions. The board began having discussions before COVID about the possibility of making our church board smaller. From those conversations came the transitional board and ministry team that we have been working with for in an experimental process of discernment.
We have learned a few things along the way. The smaller groups have allowed for better communication and more efficient meetings as each group works towards its goal of leading our congregation. We have also realized that our current structure is asking folks to do too much. By separating these tasks out in different groups, we are able to more clearly define each group’s responsibility. After much discussion these past 2 years, the board has put together a structure that follows the lessons we have learned while remaining true to our by-laws. The only changes being made are to the church policy manual. In order to make these changes the board is required to have two-thirds approval in two consecutive board meetings, following the meeting in which the suggested changes are presented. The board agreed upon these changes at the May 24th meeting and had their first approval vote on June 23rd. The final vote will take place on July 21st.
We would like to share with you what the new structure would look like, if these changes are ultimately approved.
Starting January 1, 2023, the Board would consist of 9 people: Chairperson, Vice-chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer (or Vice-Treasurer in Treasurer’s absence), Elder Representative (to be chosen by the Elders), Deacon Representative (to be chosen by the Deacons), Ministry Team Representative (to be chosen by the Ministry Team), and 2 Members-At-Large.
The board would have 5 standing committees that work under its authority: Finance, Personnel, Nominating, Building & Grounds, and Trustees (whose sole responsibility is to manage the Permanent Fund)
The Ministry Team would consist of the leadership of each ministry committee and will work directly with the Sr. Minister in leading the various ministries of First Christian Church.
A GIVING HEART
By Tyler M. Haynes
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
One of the great joys of writing this column for the Spirit is showcasing where your donations are being utilized. The congregation of First Christian Henderson has shown their outpouring love when it comes to our special offerings. Barbara Chaney has put together the following information regarding our special offerings:
Week of Compassion in February $1,258.00
Easter Offering with funds going to Disciples Mission Fund $735.00
Mother’s Day Offering with funds going to Father Bradley Shelter $575.00
Pentecost Offering with funds going to Disciples Mission Fund $470.00
Father’s Day Offering with funds going to Habitat for Humanity $565.00
What First Christian Henderson is richly blessed with is a congregation that cares and is willing to support the worthy causes within our denomination and our beloved community of Henderson.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Elders at the Table for the month of July are Debbie Enyart & Sandy Hester.
Lay Leaders July 10 - Sandra Deitz, July 17 - Onnastasia Clifford,
July 24 - Alma Strother and July 31 - David Thomason.
Sunday School class every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
CWF Crafts every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.
Commodities will be delivered on July 12.
CWF will assist Christian Community Outreach on July 14 from 1 -3 p.m.
Senior Luncheon scheduled for July 19. We will be going to the Farmer & Frenchman and will meet at the church at 11:00.
Large General Board meeting July 21 at 6:30 p.m.
During the month of July, the CWF will be collecting lotion for Christian Community Outreach. They have a container in the Narthex if you wish to help out with a donation.
THE PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY: DISCIPLESHIP After a long absence because of COVID, Bible Study is back. Fifteen eager souls gathered last Wednesday, July 6 with Rev. David Clifford to discuss Discipleship and its Biblical roots. Purpose of the study is to explore and discuss what it means to have faith in Christ.
The class will meet five more weeks and all are invited to attend. Topics for the next five weeks are:
July 13: The Call to Discipleship (Mark 1:14-20; Mark 2:13-14; Luke 19:1-10; Exodus 3)
July 20: No Cheap Grace (Mark 8:27-38; Matthew 16:13-27; Luke 9:18-26)
July 27: Radical Discipleship (Luke 9:57-62; Matthew 8:18-22)
August 3: The “Lord’s Supper” (1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Matthew 25:31-40)
August 10: Christian Worship (Romans 12:1-2; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8)
Sprinkles of Joy
There is no greater joy than a loving family gathered together to support you. As he preached the sermon in David’s absence on Sunday morning, June 26, Dr, Sprague’s family gathered in the sanctuary to listen and support. The joy and smiles on their faces suggest that it was a pleasure to be there for him.
The Spirit July 3,2024
