3140 S. Wilson SW
Grandville, MI 49418
(616) 538-3070
Home Worship With Us Our Staff Christian Education Ministries with Youth Ministries with Women Ministries with Adults Ministries Beyond Our Doors Music Ministry |
Our Staff | |
Greetings,If you haven't been reading my blog at www.lifetreasures.wordpress.com and were not at our Church Conference, you probably haven't heard that I am sensing a call to strengthen our outreach to people who are open to God but aren't practicing faith. I have been thinking for some time that while we are a very welcoming congregation, we are not very invitational. I believe we need to improve this area of ministry. However, up to this point I haven't done much more than think. About a month ago Lynn came home from a seminar in which the leader said, "If you aren't tithing, you need to start before you preach tithing to your congregation. You can't lead people someplace you are not willing to go yourself." That last sentence went straight to my heart. It was as if God were saying, "Tom, your congregation won't reach out until you show them how." Right away, I knew I was in deep trouble. I bet you have noticed by now that I have been talking indirectly about but not using the "E" word. That's because I have such mixed emotions when evangelism is mentioned. On one hand I know Christ calls us to go to all the world making disciples. On the other, I have experienced so many Christians being so offensive in their approach to others, that I want to have nothing to do with it. Bible thumping tract distributors telling me I am going to hell do not inspire me to follow suit. Tele-preachers proclaiming that Hurricane Katrina was God's wrath being visited upon a sinful city like the Biblical Sodom and Gomorrah are not preaching the Christ I have come to love and follow. According to a survey of over a 1000 people in several main line denominations, I am not alone. For fear of saying the wrong thing, we say nothing at all. The problem is our silence puts their words in relief. Their version of the Gospel then becomes the only one non-Christians hear. I am no longer willing for that to be the case. I have begun a 90-day period of study and prayer for the purpose of discerning medium and the message God is calling me to share with those who are open to but haven't yet fully embraced the love of God in Christ Jesus. My prayer is that God will help me find my voice. The study entails reading two books: Unbinding the Gospel; Real life Evangelism by Martha Grace Reese and God Bearing; Evangelism Reconceived by Elaine A. Robinson. Both books speak to the reluctance of mainline Christians to sharing their faith and the consequences of that reluctance. I am finding both books to be both inspirational and challenging; well worth the time taken to read thus far. Grace and Peace, Pastor Tom
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Pastor Tom Pier-Fitzgerald ext. 101 Secretary Robin Ballou ext. 100 Office hours are Monday through Thursday |
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| Director of Christian Education Erin Balley ext. 102 Music Director / Organist Robert Cobb ext. 103 Fideles Nola Handbell Choir Director Luanne Barnes Nursery Workers Sally Essenmacher Jenna Applebach Wedding Coordinator Mary Travis Treasurer Verdell Hall ext. 104 Custodial Staff Brad Barrus Lee Ballou |
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| Extensions: | Secretary 100 | Pastor 101 | Director of Christian Ed 102 | Music Director 103 | Treasurer 104 |
