MBPPC's Current strengths, challenges and opportunities

I want to thank everyone who has participated in the MBPPC Session’s conversations in preparation for the pastoral transition. After worship during the past few weeks, congregation members have been invited to join in small group conversations about:

MBPPC’s current strengths,

MBPPC’s current challenges, and

MBPPC’s current opportunities.

Ruling elders will be going over the results of these conversations to help chart the future of the ministry at MBPPC in the coming few years. And they would certainly welcome additional responses from anyone who did not get to participate in the conversations, or who has more to say. Please email Clerk of Session Mike Stob with your thoughts.

I also want to encourage everyone to regard “the ministry at MBPPC” as being far more than the role and work of the pastor. Strictly speaking, pastors are called to preach, teach, provide pastoral care, and supervise some of the administrative tasks at a church. But the ministry at Presbyterian churches is supposed to be driven mostly by congregation members. This means ministry teams, Sunday school teachers, worship leaders, Operation NIghtwatch and Operation Sandwich particpants, building and grounds caretakers, musicians, worship planners, coffee hour hosts, pastoral care team members, youth leaders, Bible study teachers, deacons, Human Resources helpers and more are the heart of the congregation’s life and mission.

In the context of the session’s current conversations, this means that the vision ought to be beyond simply who the pastor is. Ideally, a vision for ministry and mission should be clearly stated and widely held, so that the pastor and newcomers to the congregation can gain their bearings as they take their place through the unique roles they can play, and with the unique gifts they bring.

In Christ,

Lee