CPC 2000 Annual Report:
From the Interim Pastor
Rev. George B. Antonakos

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In actuality you are reading the "semi-annual report" of the interim pastor since I arrived in mid-July, but what an invigorating six months it has been, to say nothing of a momentous year! I continue to be incredibly impressed with this congregation for one major reason - the constant exhibition of trust in the Lord, in spite of significant change.

Just think about it, when this past year began, who could have predicted the level of change and transition Central Church would experience? In January, Pastor Ron Scates announced his plans to follow God's call to Texas, but even the timing of that plan was interrupted by the distressing developments of Michael Scates' medical condition. Needed good-byes were lengthened and disturbed simultaneously. Other staff changes in the areas of College and Career Ministry and Youth Ministry created further challenges.

In spite of these events you all have pulled together and stood in the gap, trusting the Lord. That trust has been most clearly evidenced in keeping the Mission Statement and it's meaning at the center of congregational life and decision making. The consultation work of Paul Borden was a catalyst to two events, 1) the creation of a Vision 2000 set of emphases and 2) an entourage of leaders visiting Wooddale Center Church in Minneapolis, MN for a "Next Church" conference to dream about the future. Both of these events have been part of keeping the main thing the main thing - we exist for others who have not yet come into the Kingdom as much as for those who have. It is this emphasis that keeps plans on target for the new third worship service and has guided the selection of a new Director of Student Ministries.

The outstanding leadership of church staff and elders, as well as many others, has resulted in a continuous high quality ministry to persons of every age. I am blessed to work with a superb program and office staff. I enjoy interacting with each of them on a daily and weekly basis. The session is made up of so many gifted and godly servants that I thank our Lord for the privilege of being in leadership with them. And then there are all the other leaders who continue to serve in countless ways. I am humbled to be in ministry with you all.

My job as an interim minister has been to straddle the roles of both insider and outsider. Obviously, I do have an inside track by virtue of my past history at Central, but I have sought to also play the role of outsider by asking a lot of "why" and "how" questions. I believe that a significant leadership development has been the creation of a "Steering Committee of Session" to aid and abet decision-making processes of session. (One of my goals for 2001 is to keep session meetings under two hours!)

On a personal note, I love being back with you all. Friends, old and new have made Ellen and me feel tremendously loved and affirmed. I marvel at God's goodness and plan in allowing this happy reunion. It's anyone's guess on how long I will be in this role as your interim pastor. My hunch, is that by this time next year your new pastor will be on site or at the very least identified and on the way. Until that anticipated development let's keep on trusting the Lord "at work within us... to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).

Grace and Peace,
George Antonakos