Session Report

Al Finch, Clerk of Session

Ephesians, chapter 4, teaches us how God gave all of his people different gifts for the unity of the body of his church. Among your nine Session members, I have seen this unity in the leadership gifts of prayer, patience, involvement, concern, discernment, wisdom, and many others.

2004 has been a changing, growing and visioning year for Central Presbyterian's Session. Our membership and attendance (reaching 800/900 on some Sundays) continues to grow. Attendance has grown 27% since 2001.

The Session has spent a lot of time working on just what a "Church without Walls" means to this growing congregation. Plans are in process on just how we get from where we are now to where God wants us to be ~ a "Church without Walls." Moving more people to become more like Christ in our local communities, nation and world is an awesome assignment from God. Based on the prayers and participation by the congregation, the Session plans to ensure that this mission is always the focus in what we do.

Some of the Session's specific activities over the past year include the start of an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee, enabling the starting of new ministries such as Alpha and exploring options for a future Healing Ministry. They have also been developing the vision and its meaning in the long-term for the Congregation, beginning the search teams for the Children's Ministry Director and the Director of Worship & Arts, and examining our involvement with our Presbytery.

As the Session has begun the implementation of the "Share the Vision" campaign, the major focus in 2005 will be to translate the vision (within the resources that God has placed in our hands) to actions that will put his Mission in place in practical ways. Your Session solicits your prayers and comments as we move forward.

Welcome to 2005 and another exciting year as God reveals his plan for us.