Dear First Pres,
At this year’s annual meeting, I shared that I sensed we were entering a season of alignment. In 2014, the Session finalized our Purpose Statement and Core Values. This was very important work for the future of our church, but it won’t matter much if it is just a set of words on our bulletin and website. The hard work is still ahead of us; it’s the work of aligning our ministries and strategies with our purpose and values. One of the reasons it is hard is because it means changing some of what we’re doing. Change always equals loss, and loss causes pain. Yet, change is absolutely necessary for growth and transformation in Christ. So, as we launch into this work of alignment, we strive to do so prayerfully, humbly, and courageously.
One area of ministry especially feeling the impact of that alignment is our Children’s Ministry. In February, the Session voted to make this the final season of the AWANA program at FPC Fresno. For the last nine years, hundreds of kids and volunteers have participated in FPC’s AWANA club under the diligent, faithful, and volunteer leadership of Ruth and Craig Hill. It’s hard to imagine all the verses that have been memorized over the last nine years, and it’s fun to imagine the many lives that have been impacted to know, love, and serve Christ. We praise God for that fruit. But the Session has discerned that it’s time to do something new that will build on the foundation that the AWANA program has provided.
We’re not sure yet exactly what that new thing will be, but we are excited to work together in designing a ministry that focuses on the whole Gospel while helping kids to grow as followers of Jesus who work for the redeeming transformation of our city and world. We want to help kids reflect on Scripture and work together to apply it in their lives. We want to continue building transformational relationships between Christian adults and kids, and we want to equip kids to be the community of Christ together. Finally, we want to have a flexible ministry that we can tweak and twist along the way to match the needs and vision of the church. In other words, we have our work cut out for us; but we are very excited about the new opportunities ahead.
No doubt, you’ll hear more about the next season in the months ahead. But the task, now, is to finish well this season of AWANA. Some in our church are deeply saddened or disappointed by this decision. As expected, not everyone agrees that it is a necessary change. Therefore, beloved, let us proceed with gentleness, humility, and love because of our unity in Christ. If you are disappointed or hurt by this decision, please pursue a conversation with me or someone else in leadership. If you know someone who is struggling to make sense of it, please encourage them to talk it out with a Session or staff member. And, if you know anyone who has served in the AWANA ministry, please give them your heartfelt appreciation for the good work that they have done.
Finally, please continue praying for our church during this Lenten season. Here’s my prayer today: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, may the unity that you share be reflected in the community of FPC Fresno today. Amen.
Blessings,
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