January 20, 2017
Dear MLEPC Members and Friends:
This is my last Pastor's Letter, since I'll be stepping down after worship and the Annual Meeting on Sunday. I have appreciated the opportunity to write something to you during many a week over the course of almost ten years. And I am grateful for those who have read and hopefully benefited from time to time. Writing is something I enjoy, and it's been a pleasure to have a small readership supplying me with a reason to do so. I further wish to thank Administrative Assistant Nina Geitgey for being my faithful editor, proof reader, and "distribution specialist," making sure the letter dependably is sent out electronically to us.
So, what do you say when it is the last time to say something? What "famous last words" can be shared? I've recently been spending my devotional time in the little and lightly read letter of 2nd Peter. As Peter writes, he is old and he knows that his time on earth is short (1:13). In fact, he realizes that this letter likely is the final opportunity he has to share God's message with his people. It is interesting that Peter opts simply to remind his readers of the things that he has taught them in the past in the hope that they will recall them in the future, once he is gone. Peter doesn't fly off with a new theory. He doesn't introduce novel concepts or the most cutting edge thinking available. No, the great apostle chooses to tell them what he's always told them. Because that is what is most important.
I'm going to follow Peter's lead on this one. And what is it that I've attempted always to tell our church family in many different ways for nearly ten years? Shortly after arriving, I wrote our MLEPC Confession of Mission, which was unanimously approved by the church leaders. It reads as follows:
By the grace of God; through the power of God; for the love of God; to the glory of God; We commit: To reach UPWARD to God in worship and prayer; to reach OUTWARD to the world in witness and service; and to reach INWARD to one another in fellowship and discipleship. Enabled by the Spirit, so shall we live and so shall we proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ!
We've recited it many times on Sunday mornings in worship. We've referred to it in messages and sermons. Every new member over the last nine years has been exposed to it through our Meet MLEPC seminar. As I prepare to depart, I continue to think that it provides a clear and simple description of our best life together at MLEPC.
- Continue to be a church populated by people who know and believe that who we are, why we exist, and what we do is all about God--God's grace, God's power, God's love and God's glory. Nothing else can compete with God as the priority for this church family.
- Continue to be a church numbered with people who know and believe that full faithfulness and true fruitfulness only come through commitment and dedication to reaching upward to God, reaching outward to the world, and reaching inward to one another. Growth in all three trajectories is essential to growth as a church and as individual followers of Jesus. So keep on passionately pursuing worship, prayer, service, witness, fellowship and discipleship!
- Continue to be a church filled with members who love to live and proclaim the Good News message to one another and to the world. Never let go of the gospel! God sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, and there is no other name under heaven given to us by which we must be saved. That's the gospel truth that we share together and share with others.
From the far country of Omaha, Nebraska, at Covenant Presbyterian Church (cpcomaha.org), I'll keep praying diligently for our wonderful church family, knowing that you will continue to work diligently to forward His kingdom at the corner of Scott and Washington. Blessings in Him . . .
Pastor Tim
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