After being elected at the last business meeting,
I am taking the responsibility of being pastor to the
Mount Ayr Restoration Branch with a great deal of
humility.
I have had the responsibility before, and know that it is not an easy task, or one anyone should covet. I am humbled even more when I review some of the decisions I made or helped make at times in the past when I was pastor which have offended people or caused hard feelings or hurt. That has not been my intention, but looking back I can see that it may have been the case.
Just as our outgoing pastor Rob Rolfe said, our branch is a group of volunteers working together. We need to work together to try to grow closer as a people, to reach out to bring others to Christ and to live so that the Kingdom of God can be evident in our lives as we prepare for Christ's return.
I fully realize that it is only when the power of God's spirit is working among us that we can use our talents and gifts to the glory of God. I certainly am aware of my need for that spirit if I am going to be able to lead our branch in the way God wants us to go. We'll be holding planning sessions where we will seek everyone's ideas on what we would like to do.
I very much ask for your prayers that we can have the vision needed for us to move forward, because the scriptures tell us that without vision, we will perish. My prayers are with each of the people who have accepted responsibility so far for aspects of our branch life and for those who will be called on to serve during the coming year. May God bless us all as we seek to serve Him and each other.