Reboot 2021

Hopefully, this article will encourage each of us to be involved as best as possible with our reboot for 2021. If you have not received the letter yet with some of the details about this focused restart for our congregation please let me know right away. Whether you have read the letter or not the thoughts are from a 30,000-foot overview, laying out some new goals for the near future. They teach you in leadership courses that most congregations fall into one of three types of churches. A local fellowship is either; dying, stagnating, or growing. A similar concept is spoken about leadership within each church. Leaders are either: undertakers, caretakers, or risk-takers. Undertakers reflect leadership that is just hanging on to the few people who are left, which will ultimately pass away because no one’s getting younger. The second group is caretakers who are doing just enough to keep the flock happy, it’s really not growing, they’re just maintaining the status quo. The final group, the risk-takers, are leaders who say we’re not happy with the status quo and we’re going to advance because we believe that is the biblical mandate until Jesus returns. All churches go through periods of each grouping, it's important is to recognize where you are at currently. Because staying stuck in neutral (or even sometimes we slipped into reverse) requires correction. We should all believe the Kingdom of God is advancing and we need to be part of what’s happening in such a time as now. COVID-19 has caused many churches to reevaluate their priorities and what is important towards keeping the main objective, the proclamation of the Gospel! Prior to the global pandemic, our average Sunday attendance was nearly 80. Last week we had about 30. Granted, it was opening deer hunting season which historically is always one of our lowest Sundays for attendance. Since March approximately 30% of our church family is worshiping with us online or in the parking lot. I am very happy to have these remote options. Yet at the same time, the leadership of this local fellowship believes worshiping together should become one of our greatest priorities especially as we see daylight at the end of the tunnel relating to COVID-19. Just for one minute think about the fact that another virus or crisis could be crouching at the door and how will we respond moving forward? This seems like a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I hope it is, but what if it is not? All of the previous observations in this article create the need for a REBOOT at Hawthorne Assembly. We need to move forward and effectively minister to people from all walks of life. Here is what the apostle Paul said, “Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT. Please join me and the leadership in this necessary REBOOT!