Stewards

I just got back from our fall Elder, Deacon and Staff Retreat. Our fall retreat always focuses on sharing our five year ministry plans and vision. It's an awesome experience, listening as each ministry shares their plans, their hopes and their dreams for the next five years. Wow! I always leave these sessions charged up and ready to trust God for big things!

During the past year we have begun to recognize our staff on their 5th, 10th and 15th employment anniversary dates. Last night we recognized Mark Forstrom for 15 years, Colette Rieck for 9 years, Pat Rieck for 5 years, and Mick Schultz for 5 years. Mick was unable to attend the retreat so I don't have a picture of him. This is a new tradition, so we are playing "catch-up" with some of our staff who have been here awhile.

There were several bonus surprises thrown in during the weekend. We used the 9'x17' screen and projector that we plan to use at our multi-site location. It was pretty awesome seeing Pastor Bob projected "larger than life!" A special "thank you" to Pastor Gary and Dan and Karen Kalen for setting up the equipment. We also showed version 2 of the "fly through" of our new facility. It's pretty exciting stuff!

You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of our retreat. If you look carefully, you will see a clue regarding what card game some of the staff played last night!

This morning Pastor Bob shared about several of the important challenges that face us this coming year:

• Our Embracing Faith capital stewardship campaign next February and March with a goal of raising $10 million
• The Serve the City Share Event next July
• Our multi-site initiative

Pastor Bob challenged us to be stewards of the message and people God has given us to care for. We are His servants, caring out His mission. We want to hear the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

It will be an exciting next six months! We want to be faithful to do our part, and to trust Him to do what only He can do. We are His servants; His stewards.

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness–the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:25-29