Record breaking; that’s what year eleven is.  As far as I can tell, I’m now the longest serving pastor in First Community’s history.  I am both thrilled and concerned.

     Thrilled because I really enjoy being your pastor.  I’ve gotten close to many of you, and am overjoyed to know that our relationship will continue to blossom.  I also continue to believe that First Community is a great church with great potential.

     My concern is that we have yet to realize the potential I see.  We’ve made some great progress in increasing our passionate spirituality, and yet we continue to get smaller. 

     That’s why I’m following our Bishop’s suggestion and leading us in a study this summer of Paul Nixon’s book, “I Refuse To Lead A Dying Church.”

     I don’t believe that it is God’s will that First Community be a dying church.  I believe that God wants First Community to thrive.  But for that to happen, we all must be involved.  As Rev. Nixon says in his introduction to the book, “God has called all leaders, lay and clergy together, to lead healthy, growing spiritual movements.  Any church can blossom and grow if it will become healthy enough spiritually and pay attention to the needs, experiences and sensibilities of those it seeks to serve.  I invite you to declare that, from this moment forward, you refuse to simply go through the motions and play church.  You hereby refuse to help your church gracefully into the grave.”

     If, like me, you believe that First Community is a great church with great potential, I invite you to be a part of helping it to thrive.  Our seven week study of Rev. Nixon’s book will begin July 16 at 7pm.  Each session will be one hour in length.

     I am not exaggerating when I say that the future of First Community is in our hands.  God calls us to life.  Choose to be part of God’s life for your church.

Pastor Tony