THE STATE OF THE CHURCH

Dr. Richard J. Henderson February 6, 2005

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Micah 6:6-8
Matthew 25:31-46

Introduction

We have come from very humble beginnings. Twenty-eight years ago a handful of people worked toward their dream of having a Presbyterian Church in this area. They planned, worked, and made the arrangements for our beginning. On November 21, 1976, the first worship service was held in Village Oaks Elementary school.

Less than ten months later, we had 119 charter members. Over the years, we have grown. And we have experienced growing pains. As a church, we have grown from infancy, to toddler, to child, to teen, and to adult. That growth process isn't easy for a person, and it isn't easy for a congregation either. We are now mature, strong, and effective in serving Christ. We have molded and changed lives in many ways. We have provided a solid base of faith for hundreds of children, who are now adults. People with very little church experience have been transformed into people committed to serving Christ and others. In our life as a church, we have seen miracles.

I

As a congregation, we know who we are. At every point in our history, we have carefully thought through what we are doing and why we are doing it. This is not a congregation where we provide easy answers to very difficult problems. We believe that God gave us brains for a reason. We will never ask you to check your mind at the door. Just the opposite, God gave us brains as one of the ways in which we can know God. We develop solid, mature faith by understanding what God calls us to do and thinking seriously about what God's will is in our world.

II

Our mission statement says that "We will be a strongly mission oriented church." We have lived that statement throughout our existence. From day one, we have given twenty percent of our operating fund to people in need beyond our congregation. In our twenty-eight years, we have never given less than that twenty percent. Over our history, we have given nearly $1million of help to people who are hurting. We have made a difference in many people's lives.

But we have not just given money. We have also provided our time. We began the Novi Emergency Food Program; our members worked a soup kitchen in Detroit, and we sent members on mission trips in this country and around the world.

We have helped build Habitat for Humanity houses in Detroit, sent youth groups to pack food at Gleaners Food Bank; our mid-highs even raked leaves for our neighbors in an act of self-giving that was seen and appreciated. We defined who we were and have been true to that mission.

III

We are fortunate at this time in our history to be blessed with a terrific staff. We have a business manager who gives of himself far beyond the meager salary we pay him. He is a person who loves and cares for this church.

Our church office manager is deeply committed to what we stand for and is effective in doing her work.

Our music staff is talented and works hard to provide the best for our worship each week.

Our one-person custodial staff works tirelessly to maintain and keep our church ready for worship.

Our new Director of Family Ministry has quickly jumped in to provide opportunities for learning. She has helped with our church school organization and shown that she is willing to do what needs to be done so that we can effectively minister in Christ's name.

Our youth group leaders, in both the mid-high and senior high groups, are dynamic, caring people whom kids respond to well. They are role models our kids can look up to. We have never had stronger youth groups than we have today. With a strong congregation and a deeply committed staff, we are prepared to do great things in Christ's name.

IV

Today we stand at the beginning of a new era. In the year ahead, we are ready to reach out to our community, strengthen our own commitment, and deepen our spiritual life. We are committed to spreading the Good News in our area. Part of our mission statement refers to "Sharing God's Word." We want to change lives through the gospel and our life as a congregation.

We want to draw people to join us in our mission for Jesus Christ. We believe in what we are doing - we'd like more people to find what we have found. No one can reach out to people alone; the membership committee can't; I can't; none of us can do it alone. But together we can welcome people to join us in this ministry. As we find strength and support from this Faith Community, so can many others. Together we must spread the Good News. Christ told us to.

V

A couple of weeks ago we held our annual Session Retreat. That retreat is always on the coldest, snowiest day of the year! We don't plan it that way, it just happens! At the retreat, we looked at our church and its strengths and needs for the year ahead. Then we responded to what we feel God is calling us to do in 2005. From that gathering, we determined three major areas of concentration.

First, we want to effectively reach out to our community and share the good news. Second, we want to grow in our financial commitment. Third, we want to deepen our spiritual life. We want more people to join us in the important ministry we are doing. We will challenge ourselves to grow deeper in our own faith by committing our resources and growing in our spiritual lives. In the coming year we will be talking about the importance of prayer. We will support you in your prayer life, as well as join you in praying for what is important in life.

Conclusion

In our history, we have been given many important opportunities. In 2005, we are a very strong congregation; we know what we stand for and are willing to work hard to minister in Christ's name. Today we have a dynamic staff wanting to work with you in serving Christ.

We understand what we are called to do. We are anxious to answer God's call for our congregation.

Amen.

©Richard J. Henderson 2005