CPC 1996 Annual Report:
From the Associate Pastor
Rev. Jerome D. Cooper

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Do we really want growth?

Most of us are of two minds when it comes to growth. In some areas we like it; in other areas not. Take me, for example. I wouldn't mind a couple inches of upward growth, but I would rather pass on any growth outward (by the way, to all those who worry about me losing weight, thanks, but for the record, I weigh the same as I did 5 years ago).

The same two-mindedness is found in the church. We do want the kind of growth that means more people worshiping God and knowing the joy of serving him. What we don't want is the loss of fellowship and intimacy that often accompanies such growth. We all want to grow our church facility so that we fit a little better and have some room to expand. What we don't want is the inconvenience and mud that often go hand in hand with construction sites. It seems to be true that "there is no growth without change; there is no change without loss; there is no loss without pain." But the pain can be minimized if we know it is coming and prepare.

If we continue to grow in the next several years according to the basic patterns we have set so far, then more things will be changing around here. I do not claim to be a prophet, but I would like to offer a few glimpses into what the future may hold for Central. These will not happen all at once or in any particular order. They are my thoughts, so do not get too bent out of shape if you do not agree with one or more of them. What I really desire is for each of us to pray about these possible changes and see how our Lord may want to use you and me as we meet the challenges of the future.

• We will become more of a regional center for Christian conferences and ministry.
• We will have three worship services, each one a little different in style.
• We will have a specifically Christian Day Care Center on the premises.
• We will add more new staff: two more pastors and two more ministry program staff.
• We will send members of Central to work among our Unreached People Group
• We will help spearhead a coalition of urban and suburban churches to attack the roots of poverty, crime and racism in the Baltimore area.
• Our small group ministries will become more intentional and accessible.
• We will plant a new church in another area of Baltimore.
• We will become more diverse in ethnicity, social background and viewpoints/theology.
• We will develop a system in which we can all better express our talents and interests.

God has some great things in store for the community of believers here at Central. I pray that each of us will step out in faithfulness to take responsibility for the part God is calling us to play. May God fill us with His grace in this coming year.