Letting Go of the Old

At Brighton First we have "let go" of our
nursery pager system.

Last week Missy Setty, the Director of Children's Ministries, carried a plastic box of electronic equipment into my office. She said, "We don't need these anymore. Do you know someone who could use them?"                                                                                                     I looked in the box and was surprised to see the pager system that we have used in our nursery for many years. When parents dropped off their children in the nursery, they picked up a pager so that they could be called back to the nursery. I said, "We do need these. It's how we contact parents!"                                                                                                                                                                          Missy brought me to present reality with three words, "We text parents."

I didn't notice when this change took place. And now an obsolete system was sitting on my desk. I could see the dust. It had not been used for some time.

Technological and cultural shifts spur change in the way we do things and even see our world. Sometimes the change comes swiftly and takes us off balance. And sometimes the change is so gradual that we don't notice it. At one time churches were "innovative" when they gave out pagers to parents. Today, parents expect that they will receive a text if they are needed.

Slow and gradual is often the way things happen in a church. There was a time in the history of long-established congregations when there was no electricity, sound systems or digital projectors in the sanctuary. There was a time when primary faith formation, classes and small groups for all ages, met on Sunday morning. There was a time when regular attendance meant attending worship every Sunday. This meandering way through change can happen, especially when the mission and vision of the church is not clear. 

Church members have passions for particular ministries and the ministry is strong for a time. Then interest and energy wanes and ministries decline. In the church, ministries in decline stay on longer than they have support and leave those involved mourning the "good old days". 

When the vision of who we are and where we are going is clear and owned by the congregation, change is like likely to wind its way slowly through the days, weeks, months and years. Change is deliberate, planned and for a purpose. We change for a reason, not simply to accommodate or to keep up.

I give thanks for Brighton First's strategic plan and the changes we've seen over the last two years that are informed by our church's vision. We have implemented new ways to raise up leaders and potential candidates for ministry. Our Adult faith formation efforts are intentionally designed to strengthen discipleship. We have remodeled our church so that there is a dedicated children's wing. Our outreach into the community is growing. We have shifted the role of our Administrative Board to a visioning body. We have aligned the role of staff members toward essential ministry that moves us forward. 

I was surprised that the pagers had become obsolete, but because we are a congregation that is willing to let go of the old and embrace the new in order to make disciples for Jesus Christ, I'm willing to let go. If you have a use for a perfectly good pager system, please let me know!

Letting Go of the Old

At Brighton First we have "let go" of our
nursery pager system.

Last week Missy Setty, the Director of Children's Ministries, carried a plastic box of electronic equipment into my office. She said, "We don't need these anymore. Do you know someone who could use them?"                                                                                                     I looked in the box and was surprised to see the pager system that we have used in our nursery for many years. When parents dropped off their children in the nursery, they picked up a pager so that they could be called back to the nursery. I said, "We do need these. It's how we contact parents!"                                                                                                                                                                          Missy brought me to present reality with three words, "We text parents."

I didn't notice when this change took place. And now an obsolete system was sitting on my desk. I could see the dust. It had not been used for some time.

Technological and cultural shifts spur change in the way we do things and even see our world. Sometimes the change comes swiftly and takes us off balance. And sometimes the change is so gradual that we don't notice it. At one time churches were "innovative" when they gave out pagers to parents. Today, parents expect that they will receive a text if they are needed.

Slow and gradual is often the way things happen in a church. There was a time in the history of long-established congregations when there was no electricity, sound systems or digital projectors in the sanctuary. There was a time when primary faith formation, classes and small groups for all ages, met on Sunday morning. There was a time when regular attendance meant attending worship every Sunday. This meandering way through change can happen, especially when the mission and vision of the church is not clear. 

Church members have passions for particular ministries and the ministry is strong for a time. Then interest and energy wanes and ministries decline. In the church, ministries in decline stay on longer than they have support and leave those involved mourning the "good old days". 

When the vision of who we are and where we are going is clear and owned by the congregation, change is like likely to wind its way slowly through the days, weeks, months and years. Change is deliberate, planned and for a purpose. We change for a reason, not simply to accommodate or to keep up.

I give thanks for Brighton First's strategic plan and the changes we've seen over the last two years that are informed by our church's vision. We have implemented new ways to raise up leaders and potential candidates for ministry. Our Adult faith formation efforts are intentionally designed to strengthen discipleship. We have remodeled our church so that there is a dedicated children's wing. Our outreach into the community is growing. We have shifted the role of our Administrative Board to a visioning body. We have aligned the role of staff members toward essential ministry that moves us forward. 

I was surprised that the pagers had become obsolete, but because we are a congregation that is willing to let go of the old and embrace the new in order to make disciples for Jesus Christ, I'm willing to let go. If you have a use for a perfectly good pager system, please let me know!

Call to Action Reflects Core Value

United Methodist volunteers in Louisiana prepare flood buckets with cleaning
supplies to be delivered to victims of Hurricane Harvey flooding.

Hurricane Harvey has left passed through Texas and Louisiana leaving extensive damage. The coastal damage caused by winds and a storm surge has been eclipsed by the unprecedented flooding that has displaced over 30,000 people and left thousands of homes and businesses damaged or destroyed.

As news and pictures of the destruction were being broadcast this week, I began to receive emails and phone calls from congregation members. They asked the same question, "Will we be having an UMCOR offering on Sunday?" I have responded, "Of course we will. That's who we are."

Service is a core value at Brighton First. Many congregation members serve in church-sponsored missions and outreach, as well as community service. When people are in trouble, the faith community of Brighton First seeks ways to help. As news of the unprecedented destruction in Texas and Louisiana came in, congregation members began seeking ways to reach out through the United Methodist connection.

UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is the emergency relief agency of the United Methodist Church. UMCOR was established to offer emergency aid to those experiencing disaster, both displaced persons and refugees. UMCOR not only helps in the immediate aftermath of disaster, but works long-term with survivors, creating sustainable paths to recovery. Because United Methodist congregations give annually to support the administrative costs of UMCOR, when disaster happens, all designated gifts go directly to support those in need.

As I write this blog entry, UMCOR is already responding in Texas, offering grant money to support shelters that have been established at 20 United Methodist Churches. They are also working to deploy specially trained, volunteer Early Response Teams from across the nation. Cleaning and hygiene kits that are stored at an UMCOR warehouse in Louisiana are on route to flood victims.

UMCOR will be present in the days, weeks and months ahead in Texas and Louisiana. The relief and assistance offered represents the heart of compassion and service of the congregations of the United Methodist Church. And the sources for this service are local United Methodist congregations like Brighton First, where faithful disciples respond with action when people are in need.

To give to UMCOR, you can go directly to the UMCOR web site or give through Brighton First.

Call to Action Reflects Core Value

United Methodist volunteers in Louisiana prepare flood buckets with cleaning
supplies to be delivered to victims of Hurricane Harvey flooding.

Hurricane Harvey has left passed through Texas and Louisiana leaving extensive damage. The coastal damage caused by winds and a storm surge has been eclipsed by the unprecedented flooding that has displaced over 30,000 people and left thousands of homes and businesses damaged or destroyed.

As news and pictures of the destruction were being broadcast this week, I began to receive emails and phone calls from congregation members. They asked the same question, "Will we be having an UMCOR offering on Sunday?" I have responded, "Of course we will. That's who we are."

Service is a core value at Brighton First. Many congregation members serve in church-sponsored missions and outreach, as well as community service. When people are in trouble, the faith community of Brighton First seeks ways to help. As news of the unprecedented destruction in Texas and Louisiana came in, congregation members began seeking ways to reach out through the United Methodist connection.

UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is the emergency relief agency of the United Methodist Church. UMCOR was established to offer emergency aid to those experiencing disaster, both displaced persons and refugees. UMCOR not only helps in the immediate aftermath of disaster, but works long-term with survivors, creating sustainable paths to recovery. Because United Methodist congregations give annually to support the administrative costs of UMCOR, when disaster happens, all designated gifts go directly to support those in need.

As I write this blog entry, UMCOR is already responding in Texas, offering grant money to support shelters that have been established at 20 United Methodist Churches. They are also working to deploy specially trained, volunteer Early Response Teams from across the nation. Cleaning and hygiene kits that are stored at an UMCOR warehouse in Louisiana are on route to flood victims.

UMCOR will be present in the days, weeks and months ahead in Texas and Louisiana. The relief and assistance offered represents the heart of compassion and service of the congregations of the United Methodist Church. And the sources for this service are local United Methodist congregations like Brighton First, where faithful disciples respond with action when people are in need.

To give to UMCOR, you can go directly to the UMCOR web site or give through Brighton First.

Brighton First Mission Clear, "How" and "Where" Changes

The Men with Tools group paints the new Children's Ministry
area in the lower level at Brighton First.

Brighton First’s mission is to lead people to know, love and serve God. Through worship, faith development and service, Brighton First forms disciples who are committed to being part of the body of Christ, growing in faith and serving Christ.

We give thanks to God for the saints who first met as a congregation in 1843 and built the first church on the current property in 1856. Through their faithfulness and the faith of those who followed, Brighton First has brought the Gospel to thousands of people and been a servant to the community.

How and where we carry out our mission has changed over the decades. From worship in homes to a local school house to three different sanctuaries, we have been singing God’s praises. In outreach we have sent mission teams into the local area and to foreign countries. Our support and prayers reaches out to aid God’s people around the world.

Our children have experienced Sunday school in homes on church property, divided classrooms in the lower level Fellowship Hall and throughout the current building. About 30 years ago there a Sunday School class met in the church garage. This summer we will move our children’s ministry program to one area on the lower level, creating an inviting and dynamic space for Christian education.

While our ministry is continually evolving, our commitment to making disciples for Christ stays steadfast. I invite you to join me in supporting the remodel of our lower level for our children and youth with your prayers and donations. Together, we carry on the work of hundreds who have been witnessed to the grace of Jesus Christ in Brighton for 174 years.

Brighton First Mission Clear, "How" and "Where" Changes

The Men with Tools group paints the new Children's Ministry
area in the lower level at Brighton First.

Brighton First’s mission is to lead people to know, love and serve God. Through worship, faith development and service, Brighton First forms disciples who are committed to being part of the body of Christ, growing in faith and serving Christ.

We give thanks to God for the saints who first met as a congregation in 1843 and built the first church on the current property in 1856. Through their faithfulness and the faith of those who followed, Brighton First has brought the Gospel to thousands of people and been a servant to the community.

How and where we carry out our mission has changed over the decades. From worship in homes to a local school house to three different sanctuaries, we have been singing God’s praises. In outreach we have sent mission teams into the local area and to foreign countries. Our support and prayers reaches out to aid God’s people around the world.

Our children have experienced Sunday school in homes on church property, divided classrooms in the lower level Fellowship Hall and throughout the current building. About 30 years ago there a Sunday School class met in the church garage. This summer we will move our children’s ministry program to one area on the lower level, creating an inviting and dynamic space for Christian education.

While our ministry is continually evolving, our commitment to making disciples for Christ stays steadfast. I invite you to join me in supporting the remodel of our lower level for our children and youth with your prayers and donations. Together, we carry on the work of hundreds who have been witnessed to the grace of Jesus Christ in Brighton for 174 years.

Brighton First Staff Participates in United Way "Day of Caring"

Brighton Staff Members: Lisa Guise, Alyssa Tumolo, Kali Hnatowich (staff
member for a day!), Mike Tooman, Missy Setty, Stacy Hnatowich, Loretta Job,
Wendy Carmack, Susan Snow, Bob Fuchs, Sherry Parker-Lewis

 The staff of Brighton First volunteered Wednesday, August 16, as a "Day of Caring" Team for Livingston County United Way. Staff members agreed earlier in the summer that they wanted to spend their summer retreat day working together to assist residents in Livingston County. They chose to join Day of Caring.


Livingston County United Way recruits and coordinates over 1,000 volunteers in a one-day effort to assist county residents with home repairs, cleaning, painting, lawn care and bringing good will. The Brighton First Staff  and our church's Men With Tools group were among the teams sent out to help.

The staff worked as a team to complete a painting/cleaning project. They spent the day working side-by-side, solving problems together, laughing together and meeting community members.

One of our church's core values is service, working in mission in the name of Jesus Christ. The staff enjoyed being in mission together.

Brighton First Staff Participates in United Way "Day of Caring"

Brighton Staff Members: Lisa Guise, Alyssa Tumolo, Kali Hnatowich (staff
member for a day!), Mike Tooman, Missy Setty, Stacy Hnatowich, Loretta Job,
Wendy Carmack, Susan Snow, Bob Fuchs, Sherry Parker-Lewis

 The staff of Brighton First volunteered Wednesday, August 16, as a "Day of Caring" Team for Livingston County United Way. Staff members agreed earlier in the summer that they wanted to spend their summer retreat day working together to assist residents in Livingston County. They chose to join Day of Caring.


Livingston County United Way recruits and coordinates over 1,000 volunteers in a one-day effort to assist county residents with home repairs, cleaning, painting, lawn care and bringing good will. The Brighton First Staff  and our church's Men With Tools group were among the teams sent out to help.

The staff worked as a team to complete a painting/cleaning project. They spent the day working side-by-side, solving problems together, laughing together and meeting community members.

One of our church's core values is service, working in mission in the name of Jesus Christ. The staff enjoyed being in mission together.

Brighton First Mission Aligns with United Methodist Mission

I was recently looking through The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (2012) in search of our denomination's "purpose of the church". (Yes, I REALLY was doing this!) The Mission of The United Methodist Church is on page 91, paragraph 120 in the Discipline. "The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." 

In Paragraph 122, page 92, I found a list of the ways that the local United Methodist church is called to fulfill its mission. 

• Proclaim the gospel, seek, welcome and gather persons into the body of Christ;
• Lead persons to commit their lives to God through baptism by water and the spirit and profession of faith in Jesus Christ;
• Nurture persons in Christian living through worship, the sacraments, spiritual disciplines, and other means of grace, such as Wesley's Christian ;conferencing
• Send persons into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, freeing the oppressed, being and becoming a compassionate, caring presence, and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the gospel; and
• Continue the mission of seeking, welcoming and gathering persons into the community of the body of Christ.

I was struck by how this process reflects the mission of Brighton First. Our mission is to Know God, Love God, Serve God. People come to know God through the witness of believers. We do this by living and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus in our lives and welcoming others to join us in faith community.

People come to love God through spiritual practices like worshiping together, participating in Holy Communion, and being in meaningful relationships with other Christians for study and personal connection. These practices nurture the followers of Jesus Christ.

And when we know and love God, we are compelled to serve God, reaching out to be the hands and feet of Christ to people in need.

Ultimately, the mission of Brighton First, is a shared mission with the faithful of our entire denominations. All of our efforts are to invite, nurture and send out disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Brighton First Mission Aligns with United Methodist Mission

I was recently looking through The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (2012) in search of our denomination's "purpose of the church". (Yes, I REALLY was doing this!) The Mission of The United Methodist Church is on page 91, paragraph 120 in the Discipline. "The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." 

In Paragraph 122, page 92, I found a list of the ways that the local United Methodist church is called to fulfill its mission. 

• Proclaim the gospel, seek, welcome and gather persons into the body of Christ;
• Lead persons to commit their lives to God through baptism by water and the spirit and profession of faith in Jesus Christ;
• Nurture persons in Christian living through worship, the sacraments, spiritual disciplines, and other means of grace, such as Wesley's Christian ;conferencing
• Send persons into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, freeing the oppressed, being and becoming a compassionate, caring presence, and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the gospel; and
• Continue the mission of seeking, welcoming and gathering persons into the community of the body of Christ.

I was struck by how this process reflects the mission of Brighton First. Our mission is to Know God, Love God, Serve God. People come to know God through the witness of believers. We do this by living and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus in our lives and welcoming others to join us in faith community.

People come to love God through spiritual practices like worshiping together, participating in Holy Communion, and being in meaningful relationships with other Christians for study and personal connection. These practices nurture the followers of Jesus Christ.

And when we know and love God, we are compelled to serve God, reaching out to be the hands and feet of Christ to people in need.

Ultimately, the mission of Brighton First, is a shared mission with the faithful of our entire denominations. All of our efforts are to invite, nurture and send out disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

The Imperative Nature of the Church: What Is Our Urgent Task?

What is the imperative task of a Christian? What is the imperative nature of the church? Jesus gave imperative commands to his followers in the New Testament, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. . . Love your neighbor as yourself.”(Mark 12:30-31) Jesus also offered this commission to those who would follow him, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)

In my experience, loving God is a priority for Christians. For the love of God, we worship regularly, give generously, read the Bible and pray regularly. Many Christians also adhere to the second commandment, endeavoring to love neighbor. While it is much easier to "love" the unnamed neighbor through gifts of charity and generalized prayer than to "love" the neighbors closest to us, Christians understand that this it is the desire of God that we love one another.

When it comes to Jesus' commission for disciples, however, Christians are not as enthusiastic or faithful. Jesus' imperative mission, the last directions he gave his disciples before ascending to heaven, is that Christian disciples are to make Christian disciples.

I don't believe this command means that we need to start strong-arming our friends and family into following Jesus or into the faith practices that work for us. Jesus' commission does mean that Christians are telling others about their faith and inviting others to participate with them in faith practices (worship, service, etc.).

This is not only the imperative work of each believer; it is also the imperative nature of the church. The church exists for the making of disciples. 

I recently sat with a group of clergy who are leading churches through the Vital Church Initiative. We agreed that many of our everyday tasks as pastors and the regular tasks of our church leaders distract us from the church's purpose. What would happen if before every task, before every program, during every meeting, we were to ask, "Will this fulfill our mission? Does this work help to make disciples for Jesus Christ?"

A more intriguing question for me as a pastoral leader is, "What would happen if I made the church's mission my urgent goal? What if I started to ask, with every task, does this move the church forward in its mission?"

I'm making the commitment to ask these questions. Perhaps not on a minute by minute basis, but as I review my days' work and my weeks' work, I can rise to this challenge. I suspect that my schedule will not be altered. What will change is the "why" for what I do. My prayer is that Jesus' imperatives to love God and neighbor AND to make disciples will inform how I choose to work and to live.

The Imperative Nature of the Church: What Is Our Urgent Task?

What is the imperative task of a Christian? What is the imperative nature of the church? Jesus gave imperative commands to his followers in the New Testament, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. . . Love your neighbor as yourself.”(Mark 12:30-31) Jesus also offered this commission to those who would follow him, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)

In my experience, loving God is a priority for Christians. For the love of God, we worship regularly, give generously, read the Bible and pray regularly. Many Christians also adhere to the second commandment, endeavoring to love neighbor. While it is much easier to "love" the unnamed neighbor through gifts of charity and generalized prayer than to "love" the neighbors closest to us, Christians understand that this it is the desire of God that we love one another.

When it comes to Jesus' commission for disciples, however, Christians are not as enthusiastic or faithful. Jesus' imperative mission, the last directions he gave his disciples before ascending to heaven, is that Christian disciples are to make Christian disciples.

I don't believe this command means that we need to start strong-arming our friends and family into following Jesus or into the faith practices that work for us. Jesus' commission does mean that Christians are telling others about their faith and inviting others to participate with them in faith practices (worship, service, etc.).

This is not only the imperative work of each believer; it is also the imperative nature of the church. The church exists for the making of disciples. 

I recently sat with a group of clergy who are leading churches through the Vital Church Initiative. We agreed that many of our everyday tasks as pastors and the regular tasks of our church leaders distract us from the church's purpose. What would happen if before every task, before every program, during every meeting, we were to ask, "Will this fulfill our mission? Does this work help to make disciples for Jesus Christ?"

A more intriguing question for me as a pastoral leader is, "What would happen if I made the church's mission my urgent goal? What if I started to ask, with every task, does this move the church forward in its mission?"

I'm making the commitment to ask these questions. Perhaps not on a minute by minute basis, but as I review my days' work and my weeks' work, I can rise to this challenge. I suspect that my schedule will not be altered. What will change is the "why" for what I do. My prayer is that Jesus' imperatives to love God and neighbor AND to make disciples will inform how I choose to work and to live.

Efforts Toward Excellence

On Sunday morning, Bernie Corrigan talked to me about the landscaping project on the north side of the church property that he and his wife Bonnie are assisting with. Initially the trustees thought that 40 yards of soil would be enough to even the ground. Bernie surveyed the project and when he talked with Dan Welton, the chair of trustees, he said, "It looks like we need 400 yards." Today the trucks rolled in and dropped off several piles of soil that will be bulldozed in the coming days.

Bernie's observation that a whole lot more of soil was needed has reminded me of this last year as we have worked to implement the Vital Church Initiative. It was difficult to hear the prescriptions first read on the weekend of the consultation in March of 2015 (You can find the document in the link to the right).  The consultation group told us that we needed work in the area of mission and vision clarification, worship, discipleship, leadership development, hospitality, community outreach and mission alignment. The tasks prescribed seemed challenging, if not impossible.

The congregation went through difficult discussions at town hall meetings in the weeks that followed and on April 19 the church conference voted to adopt the VCI prescriptions. 

400 yards of soil are needed for a landscape project
on the north side of the church. Sometimes the effort
needed is more than we plan for or expect.

Looking back on those days, I wonder if I was imagining that all we needed was "40 yards" to take care of a "400 yard" job. As the months have gone by, any ideas I had that this project would be short term or easy have been corrected. Vital Church Initiative is not simply about implementing new programming and getting on with the way we've always done things. Our commitment to Vital Church Initiative has signaled a culture shift for our church. We are intentionally looking toward what God has called the church to be and looking toward how we will make disciples for Jesus Christ.

We have developed a mission and vision and have been called to align our ministries to our mission so that our resources of time, talent and money are used effectively. We have been challenged to work toward excellence in worship. The leadership of Brighton First has committed to being a church that intentionally forms disciple for Christ and raises up leaders. Even the way the staff supports the church's ministries has changed.

I know that we are far from done. We have at least another year of implementation before us. In the coming months, our major projects include the formation of a strategic plan, the launch of a new worship service and an intentional program to build relationships with community members.

Today, I celebrate the efforts of church members that have been evident in this "400 yard" task. I will not begin to name the many leaders who have devoted hours to training, planning and leading through the Vital Church Initiative to this point. There are too many to name and I will certainly miss someone. The blessing is not only those who are giving so much for the vitality of their church, but the blessing is also in the gifted new leaders who have stepped forward.

While the VCI tasks and transformation is much bigger than I could have imagined, I stand amazed and grateful before God. The people of Brighton First have made the commitment to be in vital ministry; and they are giving a "400 yard" effort to a "400 yard" job.

Efforts Toward Excellence

On Sunday morning, Bernie Corrigan talked to me about the landscaping project on the north side of the church property that he and his wife Bonnie are assisting with. Initially the trustees thought that 40 yards of soil would be enough to even the ground. Bernie surveyed the project and when he talked with Dan Welton, the chair of trustees, he said, "It looks like we need 400 yards." Today the trucks rolled in and dropped off several piles of soil that will be bulldozed in the coming days.

Bernie's observation that a whole lot more of soil was needed has reminded me of this last year as we have worked to implement the Vital Church Initiative. It was difficult to hear the prescriptions first read on the weekend of the consultation in March of 2015 (You can find the document in the link to the right).  The consultation group told us that we needed work in the area of mission and vision clarification, worship, discipleship, leadership development, hospitality, community outreach and mission alignment. The tasks prescribed seemed challenging, if not impossible.

The congregation went through difficult discussions at town hall meetings in the weeks that followed and on April 19 the church conference voted to adopt the VCI prescriptions. 

400 yards of soil are needed for a landscape project
on the north side of the church. Sometimes the effort
needed is more than we plan for or expect.

Looking back on those days, I wonder if I was imagining that all we needed was "40 yards" to take care of a "400 yard" job. As the months have gone by, any ideas I had that this project would be short term or easy have been corrected. Vital Church Initiative is not simply about implementing new programming and getting on with the way we've always done things. Our commitment to Vital Church Initiative has signaled a culture shift for our church. We are intentionally looking toward what God has called the church to be and looking toward how we will make disciples for Jesus Christ.

We have developed a mission and vision and have been called to align our ministries to our mission so that our resources of time, talent and money are used effectively. We have been challenged to work toward excellence in worship. The leadership of Brighton First has committed to being a church that intentionally forms disciple for Christ and raises up leaders. Even the way the staff supports the church's ministries has changed.

I know that we are far from done. We have at least another year of implementation before us. In the coming months, our major projects include the formation of a strategic plan, the launch of a new worship service and an intentional program to build relationships with community members.

Today, I celebrate the efforts of church members that have been evident in this "400 yard" task. I will not begin to name the many leaders who have devoted hours to training, planning and leading through the Vital Church Initiative to this point. There are too many to name and I will certainly miss someone. The blessing is not only those who are giving so much for the vitality of their church, but the blessing is also in the gifted new leaders who have stepped forward.

While the VCI tasks and transformation is much bigger than I could have imagined, I stand amazed and grateful before God. The people of Brighton First have made the commitment to be in vital ministry; and they are giving a "400 yard" effort to a "400 yard" job.

Brighton First Mission Evident on Holy Thursday

The Brighton First Faith Community came together on the evening of Holy Thursday, and through worship, demonstrated the mission of our church. We are a people who know God, love God and serve God through Jesus Christ.

Thirteen men took the roles of Jesus and Jesus' disciples and reenacted the Last Supper scene. The adult choir, led by Susan Snow, offered anthems that brought hearers to the communion table.

The moving worship was supported by volunteers who prepared special lighting, worked the audio/visual board, reset the chancel area and prepared the communion elements.

Through worship we learned about the disciples, both their role in Jesus' ministry and their struggles as Jesus' death neared. We were inspired, as the disciples were, by the words and actions of Jesus as they remembered them. We gave thanks to God for Jesus as we shared a communion meal together.

All those who took park in bringing this inspirational worship to Brighton First, have served God during this Holy Week in a humble way.

At Brighton First, it is our intention that all that we do lead people into a deeper, richer relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Brighton First Mission Evident on Holy Thursday

The Brighton First Faith Community came together on the evening of Holy Thursday, and through worship, demonstrated the mission of our church. We are a people who know God, love God and serve God through Jesus Christ.

Thirteen men took the roles of Jesus and Jesus' disciples and reenacted the Last Supper scene. The adult choir, led by Susan Snow, offered anthems that brought hearers to the communion table.

The moving worship was supported by volunteers who prepared special lighting, worked the audio/visual board, reset the chancel area and prepared the communion elements.

Through worship we learned about the disciples, both their role in Jesus' ministry and their struggles as Jesus' death neared. We were inspired, as the disciples were, by the words and actions of Jesus as they remembered them. We gave thanks to God for Jesus as we shared a communion meal together.

All those who took park in bringing this inspirational worship to Brighton First, have served God during this Holy Week in a humble way.

At Brighton First, it is our intention that all that we do lead people into a deeper, richer relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Brighton First Administrative Board Reviews Its Purpose

There are three primary purposes of the Administrative Body of Brighton First. The most essential purpose is to guide the church, holding all programs, ministries, missions of the church accountable to the mission and vision of our church, "Know God. Love God. Serve God". Two other purposes of the board are to act on behalf of the Church Conference (meeting of all church members) when it is not in session and to approve the annual financial budget of the church.

As the name implies, the Administrative Board, is called to do administrative work. It votes to fill church officer positions when the church conference is not in session. It reviews a monthly treasurer's report and adjusts budget when necessary. The Administrative Board, which meets 9 to 10 times per year, also hears reports from chairs of committees and boards, as well as the lead pastor.

If not careful, the Administrative Board can lose sight of its primary task, and spend the majority of time during meetings hearing reports of what has happened and what is planned in the near future. This does not leave time and energy for the group to thoughtfully consider the church's mission and to hold church ministries and missions accountable to it.

Over the last few months, John Phillips, the Administrative Board chairman, has been asking church officers to submit written reports for the review of the board before the meeting. In theory, this will cut down on the time given to reports during the Administrative Board meetings. There is time on the agenda for clarifying questions and for the required actions of the Administrative Board, but the majority of the time can be given to accountability to mission and vision.

At the March meeting of the Administrative Board, its members discussed a format for making sure our church is accountable to its mission, its primary function for each meeting. It is only when we join together in clearly pursuing one goal, to make disciples for Jesus Christ through knowing God, loving God and serving God, that we will move forward as a unified, vital church.

Essentially, the Administrative Board will be moving for an administrative body that hears reports of the current work of the church, to a body that reviews progress through measurable goals and expects long term goals and accomplishments to share one vision and bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community and beyond. Please pray for the Administrative Board as it makes this transition.

Brighton First Administrative Board Reviews Its Purpose

There are three primary purposes of the Administrative Body of Brighton First. The most essential purpose is to guide the church, holding all programs, ministries, missions of the church accountable to the mission and vision of our church, "Know God. Love God. Serve God". Two other purposes of the board are to act on behalf of the Church Conference (meeting of all church members) when it is not in session and to approve the annual financial budget of the church.

As the name implies, the Administrative Board, is called to do administrative work. It votes to fill church officer positions when the church conference is not in session. It reviews a monthly treasurer's report and adjusts budget when necessary. The Administrative Board, which meets 9 to 10 times per year, also hears reports from chairs of committees and boards, as well as the lead pastor.

If not careful, the Administrative Board can lose sight of its primary task, and spend the majority of time during meetings hearing reports of what has happened and what is planned in the near future. This does not leave time and energy for the group to thoughtfully consider the church's mission and to hold church ministries and missions accountable to it.

Over the last few months, John Phillips, the Administrative Board chairman, has been asking church officers to submit written reports for the review of the board before the meeting. In theory, this will cut down on the time given to reports during the Administrative Board meetings. There is time on the agenda for clarifying questions and for the required actions of the Administrative Board, but the majority of the time can be given to accountability to mission and vision.

At the March meeting of the Administrative Board, its members discussed a format for making sure our church is accountable to its mission, its primary function for each meeting. It is only when we join together in clearly pursuing one goal, to make disciples for Jesus Christ through knowing God, loving God and serving God, that we will move forward as a unified, vital church.

Essentially, the Administrative Board will be moving for an administrative body that hears reports of the current work of the church, to a body that reviews progress through measurable goals and expects long term goals and accomplishments to share one vision and bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community and beyond. Please pray for the Administrative Board as it makes this transition.

Brighton First Church Staff Clarifies Purpose

1 Peter 3:8 is the guiding principle for the
Brighton First church staff when carrying out its purpose.

In recent weeks the church staff at Brighton First has been working to clarify its role in carrying out the mission and vision of Brighton First: "To Know, Love and Serve God." The staff began by determining it's guiding principle. They chose a scripture text, "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." (1 Peter 3:8)

The church staff then determined that their purpose is two-fold. First, the church staff of Brighton First works to empower the community of faith for spiritual growth and service. The staff is committed to empowering people for the work of Christ rather than doing the work and taking the opportunity for ministry from others. The second purpose of the staff is to provide a safe and nurturing environment.

In all the areas that the Brighton First staff serves, the goal is to humbly guide and empower others for ministry in the name of Jesus Christ.

To read more about church staff members go to brightonfumc.org.

Brighton First Church Staff Clarifies Purpose

1 Peter 3:8 is the guiding principle for the
Brighton First church staff when carrying out its purpose.

In recent weeks the church staff at Brighton First has been working to clarify its role in carrying out the mission and vision of Brighton First: "To Know, Love and Serve God." The staff began by determining it's guiding principle. They chose a scripture text, "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." (1 Peter 3:8)

The church staff then determined that their purpose is two-fold. First, the church staff of Brighton First works to empower the community of faith for spiritual growth and service. The staff is committed to empowering people for the work of Christ rather than doing the work and taking the opportunity for ministry from others. The second purpose of the staff is to provide a safe and nurturing environment.

In all the areas that the Brighton First staff serves, the goal is to humbly guide and empower others for ministry in the name of Jesus Christ.

To read more about church staff members go to brightonfumc.org.