FROM THE PASTOR'S PEN... January 2010

... IT'S UP TO ALL OF US TO MAKE AN
IMPACT THROUGH THE ST. PAUL'S
FAMILY IN 2010 FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.

There's an implied tradition, if not many times intentional that we start the beginning of any new year with renewed determination to do things better or reprioritize our life's goals. I personally feel renewed and content just being any part of St. Paul's because for some strange(to me) reason I almost feel I've been adopted and accepted as a family member or friend, and receive so much emotional and spiritual support, especially as a fellow struggler and seeker of getting closer to Jesus Christ among St. Paul members.

There are many things beginning or continuing in January of 2010, for me to do personally at St. Paul's Lutheran. I'm looking forward to starting confirmation classes, an inquirer/new member class, an adult Sunday School class on the life and times of Martin Luther, an initial meeting of all the ministry teams of the church coming together to start out the calendar year in a united manner, having a worship service where five new young people will experience their first communion, still (trying at least) to visit every person listed on our active membership roll, beginning a new 1st and 3rd Wednesday evening Bible Study, installing new council members, among many other things.

I would also like to not surprise anyone in what influence (even if small at this time) that I will attempt to carry out in terms of potential corporate goals or vision for St. Paul's in 2010. They are in no particular order, but one is to continue refining a strategy of making St. Paul's Lutheran Church a more effective and noticeable presence in our local community. Our physical location on this end of Floyd Baker Blvd. is by far the best of any church at this time since much has moved from the old down town area. Our living nativity last month utilized this idea in an excellent fashion.

During the month of January, we will have 6400 blue and pink flags on our front lawn in support of our LCMC pro-life emphasis as well as helping Options Medical Crisis Pregnancy Center whom we have supported every year for many years, thanks in no small part to Pastor Roger's leadership. In February, we will open our doors to a community wide Lenten service and lunch on the 24th. The cost of this simple meal will be paid for by the Greater Gaffney Ministerial Association. Cathy Lauer has volunteered to host the luncheon at St. Paul's. All of these type ideas help us as a particular church family to unite with other Christian churches to make an impact for the sake of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ especially in this area. Having said that, I will push the idea that our best means of outreach to new people is not your interim or any Pastor, but the people, who are already members of St. Paul's. I merely want to change our mind set from adding new people to have a method or means of reaching out by multiplication. It is possible (even with less work) if the majority of us really desire down deep to own this concept of quality and quantity growth as a priority. I believe I have an excellent means of showing how to do it. Another attempt is to do fewer activities with as great of quality as possible. My final push will be to focus on any help we can give to Tammy Hodges in her youth leadership and build up our Biblical based ministry in this same area including our even younger children.

Soli Deo Gloria               
Pastor Bucky