Annual Report – Pastor Jim Cords
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.” Ephesians 1:2-4
This is my third
annual report as Bethel’s Lead (Senior) Pastor. At the first Annual meeting as Lead Pastor, I introduced “A
Dwelling Place for God” a vision and mission document. At the second, I recommended a trial using a
new structure for leadership, separating the Council and the Ministry
Leads. I also stated that it is
difficult not to be guided more by fear than faith. I said that if I were not afraid I would: 1) restructure the
leadership 2) hire a Children’s Ministry Coordinator 3) offer a different
combination of worship services on Sunday mornings and 4) bring projection
capability into the sanctuary. I am
very pleased that we have accomplished 3 of these. And that the 4th is being actively pursued.
But these have
not been easy years at Bethel. Faithful
ministry probably never is easy. The
economy has hit our valley very hard. A
number of our dear friends and partners in ministry have moved away. Many of you are struggling hard with
adjustments in your work and income. I
thank you for your faithfulness to Bethel and to God in the midst of these
challenges. The people of this valley
need the Church. We are called by God
to proclaim the hope of Jesus Christ to them (ourselves included). As we faithfully use our gifts and share in
love the hope that is ours, the witness that we bring shines even brighter in
the midst of these darker times.
Change is
difficult. The changes is this
community and society require us to adapt how we do what we do to Glorify God
and Edify Others. Yet we have the
abiding promise of God to dwell in our hearts through the Holy Spirit and to
work in and through us to accomplish God’s purpose in our world. Thanks be to God.
In the coming
year we will be: launching the Crossways Bible Study (already approx. 70 people
are signed up), continuing to strengthen our worship with increased team work
and talented staff (the team of Norita Hoegel and Barbary Grant promises to be
a great work of God in our midst), and it is my hope that we can move forward
with the Visual Connection in the sanctuary.
We do all that
we do while facing the challenges that come.
It has been an exceeding joy to be in ministry with Dorothy Meyer. Her faithfulness is rock solid, her
attention to detail is exceedingly helpful, and her creativity and smile the
source of great joy. As Dorothy retires,
we celebrate all that God has done through her and place our trust in God that
he will raise up those same gifts in others to continue to enrich our life
together.
It is my prayer
for each person who is a partner in the mission of Christ through Bethel, that
we each find joy and meaning in serving according to the gifts and passions God
has given us. May we each know the
peace of Christ who dwells within us and who empowers us to go out into our
world and relationships as bearers of hope and new life in Jesus.
Our Mission is
to prayerfully invite and welcome
others into a relationship with God; grow
and equip one another to be devoted followers of Jesus Christ; and care for and serve others in the power
of the Holy Spirit.
I am yours in
Christ,
Pastor Jim Cords