Coincidence, Fluke, or a God thing?

This past Wednesday our new congregation hosted an event we called “Meet the Pastor” at the Hampton Inn in Lino Lakes. The purpose of the event was to give people interested in our new congregation an opportunity to get to know me better. I am the Organizing Pastor of the congregation.

The main way we advertised for the event was to have the Emerging Community invite their family and friends. The Emerging Community is a group who has been meeting every Wednesday night during Lent.

My goal for this “Meet the Pastor” event was to have five new adults come—adults who haven’t been a part of our Emerging Community.

Guess how many new adults came this past Wednesday?

Oh come on, take a guess.

The answer is---------------------------------------five new adults came.

My goal and the result were exactly the same.

Do you think this was a coincidence, a fluke, or a God thing?

I think it was---------------------------------------a God thing.

The entire event this past Wednesday was marvelous. We had 24 people attend—15 adults and nine youth and children. We have more 6th grade and under children in our new church than I had at Community Presbyterian Church in Plainview when I started there.

At the event this past Wednesday my wife Amy and I played a duet, Amy beautifully entertained the crowd with three short flute solos, I shared my faith story, and I explained how people could get involved in the church. We then formed a circle and offered individuals an opportunity to pray before we all said the Lord’s Prayer to end the meeting.

Many of us stayed very late eating desserts and sharing in conversation.

The event was a big success.

People have asked me how they can get involved. People can connect to our new congregation in three ways:

1. Join our Emerging Community. This group meets every Wednesday night. Our next gathering is on Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lino Lakes Government Center. Child Care is provided. On Wednesday, April 1 we will watch a video and have conversation. No reservations are needed. If you are interested in coming, just come!!

2. Join our Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is functioning as the Session of our new church. The main task for the Steering Committee right now is to develop a Purpose Statement for our new church. The Steering Committee is still an open and fluid group, meaning people can still join. The participants on the Steering Committee and the terms of service for people serving have not been finalized. Right now the Steering Committee is meeting once a month. The next meeting is Monday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. at our office, 6776 Lake Drive #225 in Lino Lakes.

3. Come to a “Larger Group Gathering.” At least once a month we’re having a “Larger Group Gathering,” times when the wider community is encouraged to participate. The “Meet the Pastor” event was an example of a “Larger Group Gathering.” The next “Larger Group Gathering” will be an Agape Feast which will be Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hampton Inn in Lino Lakes. We are doing some heavy newspaper advertising for this event.

People can also call the office, (651) 528-7321, or E-mail the office at: colpres@comcast.net for more information too. I am in the office every weekday.

Praise God for a wonderful “Meet the Pastor” event this past Wednesday!