I really wish each of you was a participant in our Leadership Retreat on April 5th! We spent time looking at data about our congregation—where people live, how long they’ve been members, age breakdown, about downtown redevelopment, the future of 2nd Avenue North and about being a Missional church—a people that seeks to embody the presence of Christ in our community. It was a very exciting day!

Being a Missional church refocuses what we as a church do. A Missional church seeks to equip people to fulfill their individual calling in their neighboring world and to be Christ’s light as a community of faith.

In Ephesians 4:12, the purpose of the gifted people of God, the church, is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry.” Some one shared with me three images of what equipping means:

1. The first image is of a fishermen mending broken nets. Fishermen would be out fishing all day and their nets became broken and torn. In the evening, they would repair them so they’d be ready to go the next morning. The purpose of the church is to help people mend their nets so they could return to God’s ministry. The mending may be encouragement or it may be helping them discover spiritual practices that strengthen their faith.

2. The second image of equipping is of a doctor setting a broken bone. A physician sets the bones, and equips them to heal. The doctor brings them back together so they can heal and return to their former strength. When we get out of sorts wondering what is our purpose in life, what is God’s calling for us, it is the equipping ministry of the church to help people discern and discover their calling.

3. The third image is outfitting a ship for a journey. Imagine a ship being prepared to cross the Mediterranean. No shopping malls out there. The crew loads everything on board they will need until they arrive at their destination. The equipping ministry of the Missional church helps people develop their skills and learn what they need to do what God wants them to be and do.

Our focus as a Missional church is inwardly equipping each of you to fulfill the ministry God is calling you to and outwardly empowering you to explore and fulfill your ministry! It is an exciting time to be First Presbyterian Church, Fargo!

Grace & Peace, Steve

See this Messenger for:

• Congregational Meeting - Nominating of Elders and Deacons
• 2007-2008  Ministry Year Wrap-Up
• Volunteer Appreciation Night
• Graduate Recognition