I can sum up my time here in just a few words; Spirit-filled, Rewarding, Uplifting, Loving, Fun, Exciting, Surprising and Challenging. Just think! That was only the first day.
July 1st was only a few months ago, but God has bless us so many times, with so many gifts that it seems that my time here has been much longer. Our God is Great!
I marvel at how the church has stepped up and embraced all the possibilities, changes and challenges that have been place before us. From accepting the “11th Hour Church Challenge” authorizing the selling of the organ, new worship opportunities, changing how we do church, starting new ministries, “Stepping UP & Stepping OUT” and “You Got It, Now Use It” to my crazy antics as I share God’s message.
This church is a “Living Body of Christ”.
As my time here in Mansfield goes by, the vision that God is placing before me is getting bigger. It is larger than I can sometimes fathom. When I came here, I had envisioned, within two years that Faith Fellowship would be able to reach the following goals:
Leave the church moving forward
Set in motions a vision and mission statement
A stronger laity base
Financially sound
At least six months of the pastor salary saved up, however the ultimate goal would be one year of salary
Larger percentage of church tithing
100% of mission shares
3% of Mansfield population in church with in 1 year
Action on the limitations of the current building
However; this is not what God has placed before me today. The vision that God has place on my heart for this church is much bigger. It is truly a “God Size Vision”.
What I believe God is putting before me is that Faith Fellowship UMC will be a resource for the local community, other churches, the conference, the denomination, the nation and the world. This will be accomplished by a variety of ministries and missions, both at the church and sent out from the church.
As part of that vision I believe this is what Faith Fellowship will look like in the future: a new multi-function building in a new location, Complete with a multi-function worship area (seating 700 or more), large kitchen, meeting rooms, warehouse, laundry facility, multiple showers, and daycare.
Just think what this will mean for our ministry for Christ! First a large worship area that is accessible by all. And that is just the beginning! That same worship area can be turned into a crisis/disaster center in times of natural/national emergencies. This is possible with the laundry, shower, kitchen and warehouse facilities. When these facilities are not being used for disasters, they can be used to help other churches and social agencies to fulfill their missions. Faith Fellowship is situated in the middle of many major cities and ministry areas. Thirty minutes in any direction will place you in or through cities such as Boston to Providence RI., Attleboro to Brocton, Franklin to Fall River. The needy in these places are under served. Other churches and agencies will be able to bring in the Homeless, Marginal, Displaced to take a shower, wash cloths, get a meal, watch a movie, have activities, and go to Worship. The warehouse will be use to store emergency equipment and supplies. It will also be a place where other UM Churches can help put together and store UMCOR supplies and Buckets.
The daycare will be place that the church can reach local children with the message of Christ during the week and Sunday school classrooms on weekends.
This is truly a God vision, A GOD SIZE VISION for Faith Fellowship.
I know that “with God all things are possible” and the great news is that God is already supplying the things God needs to make God’s vision become a reality. A builder/developer has come forward and offered help Faith Fellowship to build a new building, a backup generator has been offered at nearly no cost based on its value. God is working to make this church a place that is really STEPPING UP & STEPPING OUT!!!
“The world is our parish”
John Wesley
July 1st was only a few months ago, but God has bless us so many times, with so many gifts that it seems that my time here has been much longer. Our God is Great!
I marvel at how the church has stepped up and embraced all the possibilities, changes and challenges that have been place before us. From accepting the “11th Hour Church Challenge” authorizing the selling of the organ, new worship opportunities, changing how we do church, starting new ministries, “Stepping UP & Stepping OUT” and “You Got It, Now Use It” to my crazy antics as I share God’s message.
This church is a “Living Body of Christ”.
As my time here in Mansfield goes by, the vision that God is placing before me is getting bigger. It is larger than I can sometimes fathom. When I came here, I had envisioned, within two years that Faith Fellowship would be able to reach the following goals:
Leave the church moving forward
Set in motions a vision and mission statement
A stronger laity base
Financially sound
At least six months of the pastor salary saved up, however the ultimate goal would be one year of salary
Larger percentage of church tithing
100% of mission shares
3% of Mansfield population in church with in 1 year
Action on the limitations of the current building
However; this is not what God has placed before me today. The vision that God has place on my heart for this church is much bigger. It is truly a “God Size Vision”.
What I believe God is putting before me is that Faith Fellowship UMC will be a resource for the local community, other churches, the conference, the denomination, the nation and the world. This will be accomplished by a variety of ministries and missions, both at the church and sent out from the church.
As part of that vision I believe this is what Faith Fellowship will look like in the future: a new multi-function building in a new location, Complete with a multi-function worship area (seating 700 or more), large kitchen, meeting rooms, warehouse, laundry facility, multiple showers, and daycare.
Just think what this will mean for our ministry for Christ! First a large worship area that is accessible by all. And that is just the beginning! That same worship area can be turned into a crisis/disaster center in times of natural/national emergencies. This is possible with the laundry, shower, kitchen and warehouse facilities. When these facilities are not being used for disasters, they can be used to help other churches and social agencies to fulfill their missions. Faith Fellowship is situated in the middle of many major cities and ministry areas. Thirty minutes in any direction will place you in or through cities such as Boston to Providence RI., Attleboro to Brocton, Franklin to Fall River. The needy in these places are under served. Other churches and agencies will be able to bring in the Homeless, Marginal, Displaced to take a shower, wash cloths, get a meal, watch a movie, have activities, and go to Worship. The warehouse will be use to store emergency equipment and supplies. It will also be a place where other UM Churches can help put together and store UMCOR supplies and Buckets.
The daycare will be place that the church can reach local children with the message of Christ during the week and Sunday school classrooms on weekends.
This is truly a God vision, A GOD SIZE VISION for Faith Fellowship.
I know that “with God all things are possible” and the great news is that God is already supplying the things God needs to make God’s vision become a reality. A builder/developer has come forward and offered help Faith Fellowship to build a new building, a backup generator has been offered at nearly no cost based on its value. God is working to make this church a place that is really STEPPING UP & STEPPING OUT!!!
“The world is our parish”
John Wesley
