A MESSAGE FROM THE SENIOR PASTOR . . . . . . . .

Dear Friends,

Alcoholics Anonymous, with no building, dues, budgets, dogmas, rituals or great bureaucratic organizations, is one of the most amazing groups in America. People who have lost hope in ever being able to change, to find deliverance from slavery to alcohol, find a way to new life through the program of A.A.

I have often thought that the Christian Church could learn much from A.A. What is it's secret? The men and women of this organization consist of persons who have reached a point where they are willing to acknowledge that they have a problem and that they need the help of God (or for some "a higher power"), as well as that of other people to solve their problem. They come together to be helped in growing as human beings and to help other people achieve that same goal.

The church should be that kind of community, with the emphasis of helping people change, to grow to becoming fully human and fully alive, to realize their destiny to be Children of God.

The church should be a place where we do not have to pretend that "we have it all together", but a place where we acknowledge with Paul "that we have not yet arrived", because all of us struggle with the challenges and problems of life for as long as we live.

The church should be a place where we are willing to let other people help us and where we are willing to extend ourselves to help other people.

The church should be a community where we seek to relate ourselves to God (our Higher Power!) "that makes for righteousness".

My goal is to strive to help create a church that is accepting of other people - all kinds of people - and is a place where people can heal and grow as followers of Jesus Christ. I challenge you to do the same.

Steven M. Conger
Senior Pastor