March 2003

“Be Thou Our Vision!”

Setting vision for the future is a challenging task. As a Church body we seek God's will through prayer and wise counsel to imagine what our ministry could be like in the next generation. This congregation has a rich heritage. From its first official gatherings in 1888, the faithfulness of God and his people has been evident. Even in the years of struggle when the future of the ministry was unsure, God's faithful people saw something possible. They continued to seek God's will and pray for revival and growth in the church. Their prayers were answered in ways that we are still only beginning to realize. For the last 18 years there has been an exciting ministry expansion. That growth necessitated a building addition in 1991. God has continued to work in our midst and bring people to faith in Jesus Christ. We have continued to seek Gods will for his ministry.

Seeking to fulfill that vision, we have been taking significant time to talk about our expanding ministries, staff and building. Two years ago the congregation adopted a vision statement that addressed our 10 year plan of effectively reaching our tri-county ministry area for Jesus Christ. This statement was created in a ministry and facilities task force that was looking at current and future needs.

It states:

In fulfillment of both the Great Commission to be witnesses for Jesus in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth and the Good Commission in sharing the compassion of Christ with the needy around us, we envision Community Covenant Church growing in the next

10 years into a congregation of 500 people serving all people and communities within a fifteen mile radius of Upsala (southern Morrison, eastern Todd, and northwest Stearns counties). Our church body, home based in a multi-purposed worship center seating approximately 300 people, will be fully committed to reaching all age groups through the following priority ministry emphasis: Worship, Prayer, Evangelism, Missions, Discipleship, Fellowship, Compassion, Family Life.

Not long after that statement was adopted, three committees were set up to begin a process to deal with ministry, finance and building issues. With the vision statement as their backdrop, they have been moving forward.

Ministry
The ministry committee is developing expanded staff and ministry options to address the expanding vision of our church. They will be presenting their ideas this spring.

Finance
The finance has met over the last year to get a feeling about the stewardship vision for an expanding ministry. Whether it relates to increased staffing or to building expansion they are going to be recommending a fundraising process to the congregation in these next few months.

Building
Over the last year and half the building committee has been developing a master plan for our existing site. The plan helps us to see the possibilities for our ministry expansion as we reach out in Christ's name to the tri-county area. They first looked at the direction of our ministry knowing that ministry must drive all decisions related to building.
From the facilities taskforce and congregational vision statement they were instructed to address these needs.

• Expanded Multipurpose Worship Space
• Additional Christian Education Classrooms
• Additional Bathrooms
• Youth Activities Room
• Additional Storage
• Expandable Fellowship Space
• Handicap accessibility issues

On the next page you have the main floor drawing that lets you get a closer look.

We have begun the process of discussing all the issues related to the ministry of Community Covenant. Sometime in the near future we will have to make some very important decisions about our next steps. With God's help we will make them wisely, in unity and with a vision for the future. There are many options for us, some options are still waiting to be shared. I encourage you to prayerfully participate by sharing your hopes, dreams and concerns.

Two verses that have been shared recently are strong and encouraging words for us.

Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.

Paul in his short benediction from Ephesians 3:20 writes
"Now Glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen".

Walking with the Lord has always been a great adventure for me. I'm never quite sure each day, where he will bring me , or who he will bring into my life. But as I walk I am assured of his presence, strength and faithfulness. As we take our next steps together let's rely on his power and strength and let us seek his will and direction. We are very committed as we pray, Lord be thou our vision.

In Christ's Love


Pastor Craig