From the Interim Pastor

Rev. George B. Antonakos

How do I report a miracle? Can I call the Executive Presbyter, like others call the police and say, "Phil, I want to report a miracle?" How do I write about an interim ministry experience that no one ever told me about when I was taking interim ministry training?

2001 will be a year of ministry that I will never forget. I said it at the 11:00 PM New Year's Eve Service when we were sharing our blessings from the past year - "You all really are something. There is such openness to trying new things, of not being afraid to risk. The diversity of ministries expressed, the willingness to accept differences in worship styles and the courage to chart new territory blesses me to no end."

Amidst all the wonder of the past year, part of my job as an interim pastor is to help the congregation prepare for a new future. (It seems to me that Central Presbyterian Church has begun to enter the future not just prepare for it.) Even though there have been many victories, success in interim ministry depends on working oneself out of a job for the health of the relationship between the congregation and the new pastor. I have sought to do that by trying new things, by letting go of other things and by suggesting that there are other ways God may want Central Presbyterian Church to operate. But that only goes so far. I marvel most at the way the Spirit of God has led an interdependent team of leaders to the threshold of a new way of seeing itself and its ministry in the community and world.

Check out the alphabet of blessings I have thought through that doesn't just record congregational events but points to the growth and blessing of God as Central is being prepared for a new future with a new pastor:

1. AiM, a way of mobilizing all the people of God to work in line with their giftedness
2. Budget and congregational giving have grown in both 2000 and 2001
3. Chancel Redesign to accommodate the needs of all three services
4. Diversity in worship (Sundays, Feast of Tabernacles, Taize)
5. EPIC service added in February to expand diversity, what a great team of leaders
6. Easter Sunday broke the 1,000 in attendance barrier in worship
7. Grief Service was added on December 23rd to comfort those who sustained losses
8. Harvest of souls touched by Christ and learning to walk with him each day
9. Inspirational Concert Series begun - another ministry team success
10. Jerry Cooper, a true colleague and change agent that has helped CPC grow
11. Kenya short term mission trip with a fantastic group whose lives were reoriented
12. Leaders with passion, voting to downsize session to release people for ministry
13. MET and ministry structure changes to better fulfill mission
14. New Members keep connecting with CPC
15. Ongoing and expert consultations provide a catalyst to structural change
16. PNC, what a group, what a task, trying to hit a moving ministry profile target
17. Quiet, unsung support teams for Sunday and special services - kudos to Alida
18. Ron Sider's visit in March to help keep us focused on social justice and evangelism
19. Staff support par excellence, both program and office - "always we, never me"
20. Traditional Service attendance growth and awesome musical talent of Tom & Bryan
21. Understanding Spiritual Design as a way of each person discerning their ministry
22. VeBS, just one of CPC's commitments to Christian Education for children, way to go Rhonda
23. Women on Wednesdays, another great example of ministry teams in action
24. eXciting staff additions of Bill and Andy to bless students and young adults for Jesus
25. Yielding to the Holy Spirit, the reason for all the blessings
26. Zestful planning of Session and Steering Committee that is unleashing CPC in mission

I really could go on and on. I wish that I could list everybody's name somewhere in this report because everyone - staff, church members and friends of this congregation have in some way been a vehicle for God's Spirit in demonstrating the love of Christ when we are gathered and scattered. I do want to express special appreciation to Janice Chubski, our Office Manager, for her tireless efforts in so many areas of administrative detail.

I am finishing up this report on the 18-month anniversary date of starting interim ministry here at Central. If anyone had told me then what we would go through to this point I would not have believed it. 2002 promises to follow suit. I am blessed to be among you. More importantly, sometime this year a newly installed pastor will join with you all to continue blessing this community and world in God's new future.

Grace and Peace,
George Antonakos