Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. ...And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13 NIV 

Friends in Christ:

I would like to share with you some results of a survey of the people of the United Methodist church as printed in the Interpreter magazine. The full survey may be found at: http://media.umcom.org/umcorg/2007/State_of_the_Church/Final_SOTC%20BOOKLET.pdf.

Some interesting results are this:

97 percent of clergy and 96 percent of laity say God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are extremely important in their Christian journey.

Reliance on God’s grace and salvation is extremely important to 97 percent of clergy and 95 percent of laity agree.

92 percent of both laity and clergy rank the denomination’s open table for Holy Communion as extremely important.

92 percent of clergy and 87 percent of laity say complete dependence on God is an extremely important core belief.

84 percent of clergy and 82 percent of laity say scripture, as the prime source of Christian teaching/living, is extremely important.

80 percent of clergy and 76 percent of laity say public and private prayer is extremely important.

89 percent clergy and 80 percent laity say regular worship is extremely important.

81 percent of clergy and 68 percent of laity say lifelong study of the Bible and teachings of Christian faith is extremely important.

Six in ten laypersons and four in ten clergy agree with the following statement:

“ The church needs to give more attention/priority to evangelism to attract young people.”

Our membership is growing around the world. Between 1995 and 2005 professing membership has grown 34 percent. The largest increases were in Africa - 236.07% and Southeast Asia - 200.91%. Our decreases were in Europe -10.28% and the United States -5.86%

“Churches that are intentionally engaged in the needs of their communities are having a positive effect on those communities and experiencing growth. Churches ignoring the needs of their communities are experiencing decline. This should be a lesson for our denomination.” - Rudy Rasmus, Pastor

“A great number of people are hungry for spiritual growth, anxious to be of service, and seeking ministries to which they can contribute. The church can provide those opportunities. It is a breathtaking calling to accept.” - Edward W. Kelley, JR., Layman

How would you have answered the survey questions? Do you want to join us in accepting the challenges of the 21^st century? My prayer for Christ Church is that we will hold tight the core values of our faith and make Disciples. I also pray that we will be a church that is truly open in heart, mind and doors. We are to be accepting to all seekers who enter God’s church and to go out and make disciples of all.

Click on the flower for some ideas to share your time, talents and God's love in this congregation .