From the Associate Pastor

Rev. Jerome D. Cooper

2001 was another great year at Central Presbyterian Church, overflowing with God's grace and exciting developments. It is impossible to sum up a year like this in a single page, but two ideas come to mind when I think of 2001: learning and beyond my expectations.

One obvious type of LEARNING came through the formal avenue of my intensive and rewarding Doctor of Ministry studies. Over 4000 pages of careful reading and 50 pages of class notes in small type give an indication of the magnitude of the input. Combined with reflection on life and ministry experience, this was a powerful force for growth.

Yet the value of my studies was not merely based on the amount of knowledge, but its immediate applicability BEYOND MY EXPECTATIONS to ministry and for personal growth. This happened in a number of ways, including: providing leadership training to groups and individuals; giving input to the PNC on ministry paradigms; working with the Session on the new ministry philosophy and organization; helping Partners for Transformation, formerly Project Justice, and the PCUSA International Evangelism Committee develop new ministry visions; and understanding in a new way my own call, along with strengths and areas of growth.

Another form of LEARNING came through experiences. First, there was the start of our third service. A vision of mine for 5 years, its realization was BEYOND MY EXPECTATIONS in both the implementation and the response. It was amazing to see how God brought together elements that we could never have predicted or planned, and how our initial sights were expanded over and over again. I have LEARNED a good deal about post-modern worship, effective multi-media use, and the synergy of a talented worship planning team. I was also re-educated about God's amazing grace as he blessed every worship service at Central in its own unique way.

Then there were the two weeks in Israel, where seeing the biblical sites, walking the streets of Old Jerusalem, as well as talking with Jews and Palestinians, were each a living education that was BEYOND MY EXPECTATIONS in every way imaginable.

The progress of the new AiM ministry, and the development and teaching of the "Exploring Your Spiritual Design" course have also been LEARNING processes, as they have stretched me personally. The response of others has been BEYOND MY EXPECTATIONS, as Centralites are encouraged and equipped in new ways, and as other churches look to Central as a model for how to do ministry.

The final area I will mention on this page is Central's new ministry direction. This has been a wonderful LEARNING adventure that I have shared with Central's leaders, and especially the Session Steering Committee. It is clear as I reflect back that God's hand was at work BEYOND MY EXPECTATIONS in so many ways - orchestrating people, events, disagreements, inspirations and struggles - to bring us to this new place.

Throughout it all I am LEARNING continued and deeper dependence on God. And I expect that God is going to go BEYOND ALL MY EXPECTATIONS in accomplishing His purposes through us as we faithfully move forward together. I count it a rare joy and a privilege to minister among you.

May God's richest blessings flow to us and through us, Jerry