New Year. Big Plans. Same Mission.

​Resolutions.
Goals.
Big plans. 
Welcome to 2022.

​What is your mindset heading into this New Year?
 
It is good to make personal goals—exercising more, eating healthier, reading more books.  It is good to ponder and implement things that can better our lives and those of our families. But what about having a few spiritual goals of lasting value?  Efforts with an eternal impact?  To this end,  I wanted to share two of the “goals” I have for our congregation as we head into this New Year: (1) to average 100 people weekly in worship; and (2) to add five new families to our membership.  These goals provide an overarching challenge question to all of us here at King of Kings. How can we, as a church body, encourage people in their walk with Jesus and invite them into the spiritual life of our congregation?  We as a congregation must do more than just exist in our community; we need to make a difference in it.  We as people need to do more than just co-exist with the people around us; we need to be intentional in our relationships with them to share the love of Jesus.
 
Of course, these are not goals that I can achieve on my own. No pastor can. I need your help!  We are, after all, a body of believers here in this place. God does call us to gather each week not just for our own spiritual nourishment, but to also equip and push us out into the world we live to bring the light of the Gospel of Jesus.  Being forgiven and redeemed ourselves, we then walk alongside our Savior in His mission to seek and to save the lost. In other words, how can we shine the light of our faith wherever we go—at work, at home, at play?
 
After 10 long seasons, and the recent most four especially putrid seasons, the New York Football Giants have finally cleaned house. They got rid of their disastrous General Manager and fired their less-than-successful head coach. Listening to local sports radio the last two days, you can hear the renewed sense of optimism and hope among the represented long-suffering fanbase.  People from all over are calling in to express how, for the first time in a long time, they’re excited about the direction of their favorite football team.  Of course, there are no guarantees. This won’t be a quick-fix or immediate turn-around. But at least, there is a reason to think that things could improve. Now we wait to find out who the new group of leadership will be to (hopefully) lead the team into a new era of success—or at least give us one day above .500 (which hasn’t happened once in five years!).
 
Whether it is in their professional lives, their family relationships, or in the fandom of their favorite sports team, people of today are craving hope and good news. No one wants to see loss. This is true for everyone.  Fortunately, within the Christian church, we have that in abundance to share!  Even better, there is no waiting period or uncertainty in the church. The hope we have in Christ is as immediate as it is impactful. We know now that Jesus is alive and with us, that He will never leave us.  This won’t ever change. A faithful pastor and evangelist once said of the church’s job in comparison to the world: “Let others talk about the bad news. We will share the good news.”  Let it be so among us. Thus, the job of our church is defined and set before us. Our goal and our mission is clear: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20)
 
100 people each week in worship… will you be there?
5 new families… will you help me recruit?
 
“If we understand what lies ahead for those who do not know Christ, there will be a sense of urgency in our witness.” (David Jeremiah)

“His voice leads us not into timid discipleship but into bold witness.” (Charles Stanley)