Reflection and Discernment

December 18, 2009

The pastor’s journal

Only two more Sabbaths in 2009. That’s remarkable, really. I’m finding it hard to identify the markers that divide one year from the next. That’s actually one of the beautiful things about the Christian seasons. They help us mark time. And not just any time, but sacred time. They help us measure our days by the narrative of God’s life among us. So we recall, last Advent, and last Lent and last Easter, where we were as a congregation.

So I’ve been thinking a lot about where we are this Advent as compared to last. The one thing that seems constant around our church is that very little is constant. Things are always in flux. I’ve heard many of you joke that if you miss one Sabbath the whole church might be different: new people in attendance, new romances formed…you name it.

But beyond many of those changes I feel like 2009 has been a year of maturing for us. We haven’t grown all that much in numbers—maybe 5%. But we have grown immensely in our maturity as a congregation. Our leadership team has grown. We have new ministries that are serving God’s kingdom in Los Angeles. We have a staff of six amazing leaders this year, whereas last Advent we had two. And our growing staff has not made our church top heavy, in my opinion. They have instead broadened the base of the ministry we’re able to perform. For this I am immensely grateful!

In 2009 we spend serious time in reflection and discernment…again. That discernment process has led to some concrete goals for the 2010. Next week in this space I’ll write a bit about my hopes and dreams for 2010. In the meantime, what are you thankful for as we are about to log 2009 in the history books? Where has God been at work in your life this year? How have you grown? What have been your setbacks? Your victories?

Advent Peace,

Ryan

Recent Comments

  • Patsi Beaven said...

    1

    Just before Thanksgiving I received a desparate call from my daughter, who lives in Studio City. Like so many others, her family has been hit hard by the economic crunch, and although they have a large home in a nice neighborhood, the cable, internet and phone were turned off and one of their cars was reposessed. They have three kids and no food but their other assets prevent them from qualifying for any assistance. My husband and I had visited The Purple Church back in February. We live in Northern Arizona. I discovered that I stil had your bulletin in my Bible and called. Lennox was able to make a call and within hours my daughter had a pantry filled with food! We drove down for Thanksgiving with a car full of food and toiletries and that night Nate showed up with more food! What a blessing your church is to us. My daughter seldom attends church but you have ministered to her. There is a poem about a pastor who keeps visiting a woman and she does not seem interested in coming back to church. He prays with her each visit and at the end of each prayer, where he asks the Lord to grant her peace, she asks for potatoes. Finally one day the pastor is moved to bring her potatoes, and she has her prayers answered, therby reaffirming her faith in God. I read the poem many times when I did food requests for our own comunity service program. God is working through your church. There is always poverty in the midst of prosperity. I keep praying my daughter will return to the faith of her childhood and you have been a link.
    Thank you and I hope that you are truly blessed this Christmas season.

    12/21/09 10:14 AM | Comment Link

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