Update from the Elders

September 2007

The search for an senior level Executive Pastor continues with the Task Force receiving some very qualified and exciting candidates

Planning of the Office Condo has begun. Jevon Chan, an attendee of Christ Church has donated his time to be the general contractor for the project. Ai Design is the architectural firm that we have hired.


The latest word from the State, regarding our desire to purchase the land on Post Rd. is that we are on the bid list and the document to offer our bid will be sent to us by the end of the September.

The Elders have completed their synthesis of the revisions to the By-Laws and copies are posted on the web along with the original By-Laws. Copies will also be available at church Sunday 9/9. There is also a Coffee with the Elders scheduled for this Sunday September 9th at 11:30a.m. in the Promise Land Room. We would love to have some feed back at that time.

The staff reviews have begun. The review process is considered a 360 process because it receives input from a variety of people who work with and for the staff person.

We have scheduled a time of prayer, September 23-29th leading up to the Annual Meeting. Diane Coggan and Don Zeyl have worked on putting a booklet together as a resource for your prayer time that week.

We continue to ask you to pray for teachers and helpers in the Children’s Ministry area as this is one of the core ministries of Christ Church.

Our Annual Meeting is September 29th. Although the meeting starts at 7:00p.m., there will be a time of worship starting at 6:00p.m.

A Meditation from Robert

At Place At The Table September 2007

1 Samuel 3:1-10

The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."




As the Elders have been preparing for the start of the fall activities we have been using some excerpts from a book by Eugene Peterson entitled The Contemplative Pastor. Eugene Peterson is best known for, The Message, a modern translation of the Bible.
In his book, The Contemplative Pastor, Peterson points out that before the 20th Century, the role of the pastor/Elder was primarily one of caring for souls. He stresses that in the 20th Century the pastors/Elders now see their role as “running the church”.
Peterson writes that the primary focus of the pastors/Elders needs to be on their relationship with God and a keen awareness of God’s initiatives. Pastors/Elders need to encourage others to reflect on who God is and how is God calling them closer to Himself. As such, the role of Pastors/Elders are primarily teaching a life of prayer to those in their care.
A scripture often used and difficult to practice is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”.
We, the Elders of Christ Church, invite you into to journey with us to explore ways to grow in prayer and the knowledge of God. If there is any way in which we can help, please contact us at info@christchurchec.org .