April 2006 Archives

MORNING WORSHIP

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 36:1-5; 37:1-7, 36-38; 38:1-8(Scripture Reader: Den Pluimer)

Message: "King Hezekiah: Troubled Trust in Turbulent Times" (Pastor Steve)
Lead Worshipers: Unity Praise Team
Offering: Love Fund

EVENING WORSHIP

6:30 Anniversary Celebration at First CRC, Prinsburg

Welcome to Unity!

Our confidence and hope is in God alone! Put your trust in Him and He will save you! Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ!

King Hezekiah is our focus this morning for the OTC. Hezekiah trusted God yet his spirit was easily troubled in turbulent times. God's response of mercy and justice to troubled trust is a word to the wise for us today!

Love Fund: This morning our offering will be for the Love Fund. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the often unexpected needs of those in our church and in our community by giving to this fund.

THE WEEKLY CALENDAR

The monthly calendar can be viewed at www.unitycrc.org/calendar
Today (5th Sunday):
10:00am - Morning Worship
6:30pm - Evening Worship

Monday:
4:00pm - Worship Planning Team

Tuesday:
7:00pm - Ladies’ Jail Ministry

Wednesday:
7:00pm - Men’s Jail Ministry
7:00pm - Youth Group

Next Sunday (1st Sunday):
9:00am - Prayer for Missionaries
10:00am - Morning Worship
5:00pm - Evening Worship

Old Testament Challenge (OTC): The fast-track readings for this week (Week 30) are Isaiah 1; Micah 1-5; and Psalms 98, 107, and 109. For the complete schedule on-line check out www.unitycrc.org/otcreading.

Worship Grant Awarded: We are excited to announce that Unity has been chosen one of the churches to receive a grant from the Calvin Institute of Worship! More details about the plans for using the grant will be announced soon.

The Council met on Monday evening, April 24 and voted on the following matter: A motion was made, seconded, and approved to transition from our Sunday evening worship service to small groups, with the final regular Sunday evening service to be held May 21, 2006

UNITY FAMILY CARES AND CONCERNS

Our Sympathy: Our sympathy is extended to Hubert and Marilyn Wieberdink and Jerry and Sandy Rustad and their families after the death of their mom, Joyce Cross, Wednesday, April 26th. Joyce had a fierce and faith-filled struggle with cancer and although she is dearly missed, we rejoice that she is now in glory. Visitation will be at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home Today from 5-8pm. The Funeral will be Monday, May 1, at 10:30am at the United Methodist Church in Willmar (located on 19th Ave.) with Pastor Steve officiating.

P.S. Congrats to the Wieberdink's on the birth of Nathan Robert, grandson, 8lbs. 8oz., born to Eric & Jenna, also on Wednesday!

Our sympathy is also extended to Thorval and Dorothy Slagter (Daughter) and Marly and Kerry Breems and their extended families in the passing of Sam Breems at the age of 102. We thank God for the legacy and long life of Sam. He touched the lives of nearly five generations, living close to God, his family and community.

The March Campaign: Thank you so much for all of your contributions to the March Campaign for the Willmar Food Shelf. Unity gave $741 and 196 lbs of food!

High School Seniors and College Seniors!
We would like to put in the Unity Update and the bulletin your open house information. We would also like to feature a picture, some of the activities you were involved in and your future plans. Please get it in by Monday, May 8th either by dropping them off in the office or you can email them to April. Thank you!

UNITY CHURCH MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast - Thursday, May 4, 6:30-8:00am
Please see Pastor Jeff today if you are interested in attending. Unity has reserved a table and has a few seats still available for $11 each. More details about the breakfast are on a poster in the Fellowship Hall.

Small Group Smorgasbord
The “wide variety of choices” of small group materials in the Fellowship Hall will continue to be available for the next several weeks. They are there for you to consider using for your small group this summer or fall. If you or your group would like more information, please talk with Pastor Jeff or fill out one of the small group registration forms on the tables and place it in the offering plate or return it to the office.

K-2 Children’s Church
By recommendation of the Youth Ed Ministry Team and as approved by the Council, K-2 Children’s Church will follow the Sunday School schedule. This means that we will not have K-2 Children’s Church during the summer. We will make increased attempts to provide children’s messages through these months and to resume a 2nd Children’s Church in the fall.

Prison Ministry Training
The next full training session for prison ministry will be held this Saturday, May 6 in St. Cloud. Anyone who would like to participate when we lead worship at the prison must attend this training.

Community Announcements

120th Anniversary

April 29th marked the 120th Anniversary of the founding of the Prinsburg Church. First CRC Council has invited Unity to join together in celebrating this event tonight. We will give thanks for God's goodness and consider the opportunities and challenges that our present and future years place before us. Both churches will provide leadership. Prior to the service (about 6:00) the video of the construction of First Church will be shown. Following the service there will be a time of fellowship with coffee, Dutch pastries, and cookies.

FINAL ONE ACCORD CONCERT
The vocal group One Accord will give their final concert of the year TONIGHT at 7:00 at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City. Come for a great concert and see several gifted singers from Unity!

Dordt College Concert Band
The Dordt College Concert Band will be participating in local area church services on Sunday evening, May 7 before they depart Monday for a European Concert Tour. Host homes will be needed for lodging on Sunday night. Host families should provide a light meal after church, breakfast and transportation to CMCS on Monday morning. The band will be performing at CMCS at 9:30am so band students should be dropped off at CMCS by 8:30am. Please call Cheryl Bonnema if you are willing to host students. Thanks for your help!

Vacation Bible School June 5 - 9
We’re having a Fiesta! Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the evenings of June 5-9. We need leaders for the following stations: Sing & Play Ole, Hot Bible Adventures, Chadder’s Desert Drive-In Theater, Grande Games, Cactus Crafts, & Silly Chillies Preschool. We also need several junior highers to be crew leaders. If interested call Becky Hines or Nora Ziehl.

Seniors & Friends
Due to popular demand, I have arranged to take another bus to attend the play “The Church Basement Ladies”, at the Plymouth playhouse. They have added some matinees and I was able to obtain tickets for Tuesday, June 20. The cost would be $45.00 per person. This would include a noon luncheon at the Old Country Buffet, ticket and bus fare. Kindly call as soon as possible for reservations ~ Ardi Zondervan

CMCS Pops Concert
You are invited to the CMCS Pops Concert that will be help in the high school gym on Tuesday, May 9 at 7:00pm. The concert choir will be performing songs from Surf’s Up! There will also be selections from the male chorus, girls chorus, and various solos and ensembles. We’re looking forward to presenting this concert for you. Pop and popcorn will once again be served so come and enjoy a night of entertainment. All groups are under the direction of Michelle Mulder.

MORNING WORSHIP

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 1:10-20 (Scripture reader: Dan Ohden)
Message: The Isaiah Prophecy: Desolation to Deliverance (Pastor Steve)
Lead Worshipers: Bryan De Groot & Praise Team
Offering: Unity Ministries

Welcome to Unity!

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” (Psalm 24:7-8). We pray that our hearts, minds and this place will be open this morning to the power of the resurrected Lord who seeks to do mighty things in our lives!

THE WEEKLY CALENDAR

The monthly calendar can be viewed at www.unitycrc.org/calendar

Today (4th Sunday):
10:00am - Morning Worship
Children ages 3-preK and in
grades K-2 will be dismissed by
announcement for Children’s Church
5:00pm - Evening Worship

Monday:
5:30pm - Council Meeting
8:30pm - Finance Team Meeting

Tuesday:
7:00pm - Ladies’ Jail Ministry

Wednesday:
7:00pm - Men’s Jail Ministry
7:00pm - Youth Group

Next Sunday (5th Sunday):
9:00am - Adult Education
9:00am - Sunday School Grades 7-12
9:00am - Children’s Choir Grades 3-6
9:15am - Sunday School Grades 3-6
9:45am - Children’s Choir Grades K-2
10:00am - Morning Worship
5:00pm - Evening Worship

UNITY FAMILY CARES AND CONCERNS

Many Thanks!
Our heartfelt thanks to Doug and Joyce Marcus for painting and hanging the Lenten cross banner. Thanks also to Bev Mulder for her beautiful work decorating. We so appreciate that you all used your talents to enhance our worship during Lent and Easter.

Old Testament Challenge (OTC):
The fast-track readings for this week (Week 29) are 2 Chronicles 30 - 32, Isaiah 7 - 8, 36-39, and Psalms 102, 118, 121. For the complete schedule visit www.unitycrc.org/otcreading.

Love Fund
Next Sunday (5th Sunday) our morning offering will be for the Love Fund. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the often unexpected needs of those in our church and in our community by giving to this fund.

UNITY CHURCH MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Small Group Smorgasbord
The “wide variety of choices” of small group materials in the Fellowship Hall will continue to be available for the next several weeks. They are there for you to consider using for your small group this summer or fall. If you or your group would like more information, please talk with Pastor Jeff or fill out one of the small group registration forms on the tables.

K-2 Children’s Church
By recommendation of the Youth Ed Ministry Team and as approved by the Council, K-2 Children’s Church will follow the Sunday School schedule. This means that we will not have K-2 Children’s Church during the summer. We will make increased attempts to provide children’s messages through these months and to resume a 2nd Children’s Church in the fall.

Prison Ministry Training
The next full training session for prison ministry will be held May 6 in St. Cloud. Anyone who would like to participate when we lead worship at the prison must attend this training.

Community Announcements

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast - Thursday, May 4, 6:30-8:00am Please see the poster on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall for more details. Unity has one table reserved with 8 seats. Tickets are $11 each. Please see Pastor Jeff if you would like to attend.

120th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
April 29, 2006 marks the 120th Anniversary of the official founding of the Prinsburg Church. First CRC Council has invited Unity CRC to join together in celebrating that event next Sunday evening with a special worship time of celebration. We will give thanks for God's goodness through the past 120 years, and consider the opportunities and challenges that present and future years place before us. Both churches will provide pastoral and musical leadership. Prior to the service (about 6:10) the video of the construction of First Church will be shown. Following the service there will be a time of fellowship featuring coffee and Dutch pastries, cookies, and treats.

DUTCH TREATS
Many of our Dutch treats for the 120th Anniversary Celebration have been ordered through the Lunch Box Café, but additional items will be greatly appreciated. If you are a baker of Dutch goodies, please do some baking this week, and add your items to the mix. NO OREOS allowed next Sunday evening!If you have any questions about what would be the best thing to bring, please contact Karen Marcus or Joan Slagter.

Dordt College Concert Band
The Dordt College Concert Band will be participating in local area church services on Sunday evening, May 6 before they depart Monday for a European Concert Tour. Host homes will be needed for lodging on Sunday night. Host families should provide a light meal after church, breakfast and transportation to CMCS on Monday morning. The band will be performing at CMCS at 9:30am so band students should be dropped off at CMCS by 8:30am. Please call Cheryl Bonnema if you are willing to host students. Thanks for your help!

Vacation Bible School - June 5 - 9
We’re having a Fiesta! Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the evenings of June 5-9. We need leaders for the following stations: Sing & Play Ole, Hot Bible Adventures, Chadder’s Desert Drive-In Theater, Grande Games, Cactus Crafts, & Silly Chillies Preschool. We also need several junior high-schoolers to be crew leaders. If interested call Becky Hines or Nora Ziehl.

MORNING WORSHIP

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:28-35 (Scripture reader: Rita Ninneman)
Message: “Easter: Empty Tomb, Broken Bread, Burning Hearts” (Pastor Steve)
Lead Worshipers: Easter Praise Team
Offering: Unity Ministries

EVENING WORSHIP

6:30PM COMBINED EASTER WORSHIP AT FIRST CRC, PRINSBURG

He is Risen! Alleluia!

Welcome to Unity! May all glory and honor go to our Risen Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ! May you be filled with praise for the life you have received this day!

This morning: This morning’s message will focus on Jesus’ resurrection appearance to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus’ words ignited a fire in their hearts and at the breaking of bread they recognized their Savior. The resurrected Savior still speaks today. Do you hear His voice? Commune this day with your Savior and Lord!

Easter Evening Service
Join us TONIGHT at 6:30pm at First CRC, Prinsburg for a combined Easter celebration involving area CRC and RCA churches. Rev. John Rozeboom, Executive Director of CRCNA Home Missions, will speak.

THE WEEKLY CALENDAR

The monthly calendar can be viewed at www.unitycrc.org/calendar

Today (3rd Sunday):
10:00am - Morning Worship
6:30pm - Combined Easter Evening Worship at First CRC, Prinsburg

Monday:
4:00pm - Worship Planning Meeting
7:00pm - Friendship Class, Last one!
Lesson~Talents, Lunch~Pizza Party

Tuesday:
7:00pm - Ladies’ Jail Ministry

Wednesday:
7:00pm - Men’s Jail Ministry
7:00pm - Youth Group

Next Sunday (4th Sunday):
9:00am - Adult Education
9:00am - Sunday School Grades 7-12
9:00am - Children’s Choir Grades 3-6
9:15am - Sunday School Grades 3-6
9:45am - Children’s Choir Grades K-2
10:00am - Morning Worship
5:00pm - Evening Worship

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Sunday, April 30
Last day of Sunday School

UNITY FAMILY CARES AND CONCERNS

Celebration for Adam Come join us at the YMCA TODAY for the celebration of the life of Adam Mikelson, in honor of his birthday. The YMCA has graciously allowed us access to the entire lower level from 4:00-7:00pm. Pizza will be served, and a free-will offering will be taken, with proceeds going to the Mikelson Memorial Fund. A tree will also be planted that day around 6:00pm near the pool windows with a plaque hung inside as a memorial to Adam's life and his service as a lifeguard.

Many Thanks!
Our heartfelt thanks to Doug and Joyce Marcus for painting and hanging the Lenten cross banner. Thanks also to Bev Mulder for her beautiful work decorating. We so appreciate that you all used your talents to enhance our worship during Lent.

Old Testament Challenge (OTC):
The fast-track readings for this week (Week 28) are: Isaiah 2 - 6, 40, 43, 56, 66 and Psalms 85, 93, 104. If you are behind this is a catch-up week. If you are on-track, you may read something from the New Testament this week!

UNITY CHURCH MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Small Group Smorgasbord
This Morning, there will be a “buffet offering a wide variety of choices” of material for your small group to consider for this summer. Every group is asked to participate, as well as those who are interested in joining a group.

Willmar Food Shelf
You can still give to the Food Shelf by placing designated funds in the offering baskets today. The collected food and funds will be donated this week.

K-2 Children’s Church
By recommendation of the Youth Ed Ministry Team and as approved by the Council, K-2 Children’s Church will follow the Sunday School schedule. This means that we will not have K-2 Children’s Church during the summer. We will make increased attempts to provide children’s messages through these months and to resume a 2nd Children’s Church in the fall.

Prison Ministry Training
The next full training session for prison ministry will be held May 6 in St. Cloud. Anyone who would like to participate when we lead worship at the prison must attend this training.

Community Announcements

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Thursday, May 4, 6:30-8:00am - Please see the poster on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall for more details. Unity has one table reserved with 8 seats. Tickets are $11 each. Please see Pastor Jeff if you would like to attend.

Dad’s Belgian Waffles - All You Can Eat
Sunday, April 23, 10:00am - 1:00pm. Come for the Fourth Annual Clara City swimming pool fundraiser. It will be held in the Maccray High School Cafeteria in Clara City. Matching funds will be made by the Clara City Telephone Company and Citizens State Bank. You will have the opportunity to view plans for the new play system for the park and to purchase a brick.

Campus Ministry Center’s 5th Annual Best Ball Scramble - Friday, May 19
We invite everyone to join us for the 18-hole scramble at Eagle Creek Golf Course in Willmar. 18 holes of golf, cart, bucket of range balls and a buffet meal at the Blue Heron for only $75.00 per person! Shot gun start is 2:00pm. Prizes will be awarded! We also invite everyone to join us for the dinner following the golf scramble. Cost for the dinner (for non-golfers) is $15.00

Youth Bible Camp - July 24th - 28th
Mark your calendars for this year’s Youth Bible Camp. All 6th - 12th graders are encouraged to sign up for this great time of meeting God and making friends. Lew Vandermeer will be speaking at camp this year, which will be held at the Pine Lake Christian Camp in Eldora, Iowa. This is a great camp, with lots of great opportunities including an Olympic size pool, team sports, music, high ropes course, carpet ball, canoes & paddle boats, devotion times, canteen, crafts and more! For more information, check out the camps website at: www.pinelakechristiancamp.org and be watching for more information coming soon.

MORNING WORSHIP

Scripture Reading: Amos 2:6-8, 7:1-8, 8:1-6
Message: “Amos: The Unpopular Message to the Affluent”(Pastor Jeff)
Lead Worshipers: Children’s Choir, Bryan DeGroot and Praise Team
Offering: Unity Ministries

Welcome to Unity Church May you find grace, mercy, peace, love, joy, and fellowship in this place. God is always on the move and he has invited us to join him in the work he is doing. As we gather together today, may we hear his voice more clearly, be transformed by his Spirit, and set foot into this week with a renewed passion for Christ and his kingdom.

Baptism: This morning we celebrate God’s promises to Elijah Christian VanderPol through his baptism. We are so grateful for him and for who God calls him to be!

The Persecuted Church: Today, we continue our focus on a few of the countries around the world where Christians are facing persecution. Please make it a priority to pay attention to and pray for the needs of those who are facing suffering. The flag of India has been added to the back wall as a reminder to pray for them.

Maundy Thursday Service: Join us this Thursday (April 13) at 7:00pm as we reflect on the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE WEEKLY CALENDAR

The monthly calendar can be viewed at www.unitycrc.org/calendar

Today (2nd Sunday):
10:00am - Morning Worship
Children ages 3-preK and in
grades K-2 will be dismissed by
announcement for Children’s Church
5:00pm - Evening Worship

Monday:
4:00pm - Worship Planning Meeting

Tuesday:
7:00pm - Ladies’ Jail Ministry

Wednesday:
7:00pm - Men’s Jail Ministry
7:00pm - Youth Group

Thursday
7:00pm - Maundy Thursday Service

Next Sunday (3rd Sunday):
7:00-9:15 - Easter Breakfast
10:00am - Morning Worship
6:30pm - Combined Easter Evening Worship at First CRC, Prinsburg

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Sunday, April 30
Last day of Sunday School

Old Testament Challenge (OTC): The fast-track readings for this week (Week 28) are: Isaiah 2-6; 40, 43, 56, 66 and Psalms 85, 93, and 104.

UNITY FAMILY CARES AND CONCERNS

Janus Charity Ironman: Please continue to pray for Mike and Heather Pluimer who today are in Arizona where Mike will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles to raise funds for the Hope Pregnancy Center in Willmar!

CMCS Mission Trip
Please pray this week for the CMCS students who are on a mission trip to the Urban School of Evangelism in Hollywood, CA. Josh Layman, Tara Frikke, Brandon Marcus, and David Poppema are on the trip from Unity. We pray that God will work in powerful ways through them and to them.

Celebration for Adam: Come join us at the YMCA on Sunday, April 16 for a celebration of the life of Adam Mikelson, in honor of his birthday. The YMCA has graciously allowed us access to the entire lower level from 4:00-7:00pm. Pizza will be served, and a free-will offering will be taken, with proceeds going to the Mikelson Memorial Fund. A tree will also be planted that day around 6:00pm near the pool windows with a plaque hung inside as a memorial to Adam's life and his service as a lifeguard.

Need Help? Spring is in the air and it is time to start on yard work! If you could use help with your cleaning or any other tasks please contact Peter Meyer at 214-7914. All earnings will go toward Peter’s YWAM Mission Trip.

UNITY CHURCH MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Small Group Smorgasbord: Beginning Easter morning, there will be a “buffet offering a wide variety of choices” of material for your small group to consider for this summer. Every group is asked to participate, as well as those who are interested in joining a group.

Willmar Food Shelf: Don’t forget that you can give to the Food Shelf by placing designated funds in the offering baskets through next Sunday. Please consider how you can give to this genuine need in our community.

Easter Evening Service: Join us next Sunday evening at 6:30pm at First CRC, Prinsburg for a combined Easter celebration involving area CRC and RCA churches. Rev. John Rozeboom, Executive Director of CRCNA Home Missions, will speak.

Prison Ministry Training: The next full training session for prison ministry will be held May 6 in St. Cloud. Anyone who would like to participate when we lead worship at the prison must attend this training.

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast - Thursday, May 4, 6:30-8:00am
Join us at the Willmar Holiday Inn for this annual event. The speaker will be from Covenant World Relief and will discuss compassionate response to catastrophe. Unity has one table reserved with 8 seats. Tickets are $11 each. Please see Pastor Jeff if you are interested in attending.

Senior Citizens Potluck - Thursday, April 13th, 11:30am
Come to the Community Center. We will be entertained by a woman who is blind, Ruth Agman, who will play and sing for us.

A Vision for Spiritual Formation at Unity Church
Pastor Jeff Fisher
February / March 2006

Most of you by now know that I have accepted the call to serve as the second full-time pastor at Unity Church. As I wrote in my acceptance letter to the Council, it is with both excitement and humility that I accept the call extended to me to continue serving as Pastor of Spiritual Formation here at Unity. I am extremely grateful for all the hard work that the Staff Study Team put into identifying the needs and goals of our church. I am also thankful to the congregation for affirming my potential to help us meet these needs and goals. Although, technically the specific role and responsibilities do not begin until the beginning of the next fiscal year in July, I have already been “dreaming and scheming” about all the different possibilities of fulfilling my role in “equipping the saints for works of ministry.” My intent in this article is to give you a brief look into my developing vision for spiritual formation at Unity.

There are really two major areas where I would like to see us grow as a church. The labels are not unique with me, but I refer to them as Passionate Spirituality and Leadership Development.

Passionate Spirituality is when our lives are so centered on Jesus that we as God’s people, individually and collectively, naturally grow in our faith and love for others. There are so many different ways that people connect with God, sense his presence, and are filled with His Spirit. My goal is that we as a church can explore these venues more fully and help each other discover the best way that each of us engages with God. In doing so, I believe that we will each grow in our desire to know God better, and as a result get to know God better, and then have a greater desire to know Him even more! Too often our lack in motivation is not because we don’t want to know God, but because the method we are expected to follow doesn’t match with our personality or our passion.

One of the ways that will significantly help in this area is the continuing development of our small groups ministry. I wish that every person would take the step of investing just a little bit of their time in participating in a small group. They, of course, aren’t the answer for everyone. But they do provide numerous opportunities for fellowship, growth, prayer, study, and simply experiencing God together. Those who have taken that step and joined a small group can testify to its benefits and joys. There is definitely an increase in one’s spiritual vitality when we willingly live life together in Christ.

Another way that we can seek to develop a deeper passion and desire for spiritual growth is through a mid-week teaching time. Through the Old Testament Challenge, we have sought to integrate our morning worship with our small group study and our daily devotional reading. For those who have taken advantage of this, it has been a tremendous blessing. As the OTC comes to a close and we look ahead to what is next, I hope that we can have increased enthusiasm in studying God’s word together.

Leadership Development is when we as a church recognize, equip, and utilize the gifts and potential of people for service in the kingdom of God. Again this is something that will look different for different people. We are the “body of Christ” because we are each a different part and we serve different functions. In essence, it is asking and answering the questions, “If you could do anything you wanted to serve the Lord, what would give you the most excitement?” and then, “How do we as pastors and leaders best serve to equip and empower you to do what really excites you for the Lord?”

As we seek to continue our growth as a vibrant ministry, we must regularly be looking ahead to the future. In order to develop leaders we will have to make sure that we are all heading in the same direction. So at some point we will again need to begin work on a Five-Year Plan for our church. This is especially true as we expand our ministry into a new facility and continue to minister beyond our building. We will all need to work together, using the gifts and passions God has given us, to grow and reach others for Jesus. Our ministry teams will each need to take the time to really capture their role in carrying out our mission and vision as a church. So we will need training sessions, consistent feedback, and ongoing encouragement for each of our ministries. Some of this we have already begun to develop, and we can quickly see the benefits of moving in this direction.

As we seek to become more structured and organized, though, we in no way want to eliminate or diminish the freedom of the Spirit to guide us into new and exciting adventures. In fact, as we consider these various endeavors, I don’t want any of this to be my agenda or my plans. I don’t even want them to be something that I (or we) come up with and then ask God to bless. My desire for Unity Church is that we will seek out God’s agenda and do what God wants us to do, so that we know without a doubt that it is already blessed. That’s why I believe the first step in all of this is to pray, seeking God’s agenda for Unity Church which is guaranteed to be immeasurably more than all I could ever ask or even imagine.