Tuesday, September 8, 2015

New Beginnings Conversations, Discernment

Thirty some leaders from six participating congregations attended the New Beginnings Leader Training on August 28-29.  The six congregations are First/Buchanan, North/Kalamazoo, Parkwood/Jennison, Pine Island/Kalamazoo, Westminster/Jackson, Westlake/Battle Creek.  Please pray for these congregations as they meet in small groups this fall to discern God calling.  They will discuss assessment reports prepared by New Beginning consultants.  At the end of each report are future stories. The outcome of the congregations' discernment will be a conscious decision to collectively commit to one of those stories. 1. To redevelop their ministry, 2. To restart, 3. To merge with another congregation, 4. To close and empower a new ministry; 5. Or do nothing different, keep on keeping on as they have been doing but agreeing to set aside the anxiety and fear of the likely outcome of doing so.  The purpose is to bring clarity.  These are hard conversations, hard choices, but so very important ones.  Please hold them in prayer.  



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