Over the last four Saturday mornings, our congregation engaged in discussions about our future. We prayed, we talked, we laughed, and we broke bread together. We spent time reflecting on our past successes and failures, and our present situation. We allowed God to rekindle a fire among us, and in our prayerful listening we have begun to discover God’s vision for our future. We have developed short-term and long-term plans to enact that vision in a myriad of ways. There is a sense of energy and excitement in the air, and we are beginning to embody the hope to which we are called.
First UMC of West Newton is at a critical point in its 170-year history. After some tough times, we’re turning the corner. We have chosen to invest our time and energy in letting God make us a new creation. I’m excited about the possibilities for God to work through us in amazing ways. I’m deeply humbled by the trust the congregation has placed in me as their pastor, and by their willingness to follow where God has led us all. As I reflect on our discussions, and the last 13+ months here, I wonder if it is possible to have more fun serving as a pastor than I am having right here, right now. What a joy and blessing it is to serve a congregation so willing to look hopefully toward the future, placing their trust in a 26-year-old pastor, but ultimately placing complete trust in God. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us!
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