CPC 1996 Annual Report:
From the Senior Pastor
Dr. Ronald W. Scates

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Much is made today of the fact that we live in what some people are calling a post-Christian era: where the surrounding culture no longer reflects or supports a Biblical morality or world view. To be a "committed Christian" (can you be a non-committed Christian?) means you will be at odds with much of society's current currents, as well as look odd when compared to the average '90s kind of guy or gal.

Of more grave concern to me is that there is evidence that this post Christian influence is seeping into the Church of Jesus Christ. Recent polls reveal some startling facts about the church in America. People claim to belong to churches they do not attend; to believe in a Bible they do not read; and to believe in a Savior they do not know.

As you read through the pages of what went on here at Central in 1996, keep in mind that everything we do is geared toward reaching people within and without the Church with the Truth that is only found centered in Jesus Christ. We believe that as the culture becomes more and more "post-Christian", Central's role will be even more crucial as a place where people are confronted with the Person of Jesus Christ, equipped to live for Him, and deployed for servanthood ministry.

1996 will be forever remembered as the year of the beginning of our greatly successful Beyond These Walls... campaign to provide a much needed new educational wing for Central. But the title of the campaign is a reminder that everything we do here at Central is in order that you and I might move out into a post-Christian world with a pro-Christian message so that real people might know Christ personally, become life long students of His Word, and become a vital part of His Body, the Church. Let what you read here spur you on to even greater faithfulness in 1997!