In 2008 we made the transition to exclusive electronic communication, replacing Shenango Showcase which had been published regularly for many years. I wrote a brief article for those newsletters. This electronic note is intended to continue this vehicle of communication with leaders of our churches. I will generally make a brief comment and then provide a link to and article that I think will help you as leaders of your churches. It will come to you via eLink which you can access through the Presbytery Homepage www.shenango.org
Happy New Years (plural)
We have recently begun two new years: the last Sunday of November began Advent which initiated a new Christian year; last Friday we began a new calendar year (and decade). It is appropriate for ruling elders and ministers to ask some questions:
· Is a can opener a can opener if it can’t open cans?
· Is the church still a church if it doesn’t function like a church anymore?
· If you could start your church all over again, would you do it the same way?
· Why are you doing it the same way now?
These questions, provided by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch, are especially pertinent for ruling elders, remembering that “ruling” does not mean “making the rules,” but rather “measuring the progress of a congregation.” Has your session considered questions like these?
Do you have a sense of “holy discontent” about your church? What could be done about that? I am interested in your thoughts on this. david.dawson@presbynet.org 724 528-1610
David Dawson
Presbytery Executive
The Presbytery of Shenango 