Results!

Last Sunday, at the special Congregational Meeting, the membership approved (166 to 15) moving forward with the full build-out of our property (Option A) and assuming the debt necessary to complete the project. This was the culmination of a long planning and discernment process; one in which many of you participated. Your input as elders, leaders, and interested congregational members was vital and informed the Session in critical ways. I want to give a special thanks to those of you who faithfully attended the recent meetings to voice your concerns and cautions. This not only took spiritual maturity, but courage, as well. I'm glad that you take our well being seriously enough to go against the flow when needed!

We're on the eve of change. In this process, we have seen a glimpse of where we are heading together: growing as a congregation; building a welcoming culture, open to "outsiders;" reaching out to specific groups such as college students; meeting people at their point of felt need; sending new and more missionaries to places of need; and serving people and proclaiming Christ in a tight balance. In sum, living into our vision of being a Church without walls: Moving people toward Christ where we live, work, and play.

This vision will demand much from us, but we're already on the way. Here is a recent note from one of our elders, Richard Ames-Ledbetter:

"Last Sunday morning, before our Congregational Meeting, a small group of folks from Central including Terry, Patti, and Beth Dixon, went over to Babcock Presbyterian to help serve a kick-off brunch for a capital campaign that congregation is beginning. The first person we met, the drummer in their contemporary worship team, upon learning that we were from Central, asked about Lou Dicker. He related that he and Lou are now working with another congregation, Hamilton Presbyterian, as they begin a contemporary service.

The leader of their Alpha team then asked about Kevin Hula and talked about all the time Kevin spent mentoring their team on how to start an Alpha program. A few minutes later, an elder made a point to tell us that he had met our pastor because John had worked with their leadership team as they worked through some re-organizational issues.

In the last few weeks in the context of the building decision, the issue of when Central could plant a church has come up several times. It was reassuring to hear these stories from Babcock and be reminded that Central is not waiting to plant a church in order to advance the Kingdom beyond these walls."

What excites me about serving with you at Central is that we share a kingdom-centered vision-Moving people toward Christ-not moving people towards us. If our vision is on Him, our next steps can't help but be exciting!