Pastor Ray's Blog

Dear Friends,

Once a year the elders, deacons and members of the staff spend a Friday evening and Saturday in a planning retreat. Usually we begin with dinner and then go to Camp New Hope, just north of Chapel Hill, to spend time thinking and praying about the life and ministry of Triangle Presbyterian Church. As you read this we will have just participated in this year’s retreat.

We begin with a time of worship and prayer before we begin looking at the ministries of which we are a part. I encourage those who are gathered to think about our ministry from two perspectives. First, I encourage them to think about and list ways in which this ministry is a blessing to them and those with whom they have contact. And second, I ask them to think about and voice where they see areas of concern that might lead us into new ministries or into rethinking old ones.

I think this process has served us well through the years. I have found personally, that sometimes I become so focused on those things that I may see as lacking (in a sense focusing on the negative) that I forget about some of the great things that are happening and have happened right before my eyes. It is good to be reminded. By the same token I don’t want to be blind to the areas where improvement is needed or where certain ministries have outlived their usefulness.

This process makes me particularly aware of the commitment of so many of our members to live out their faith through reaching out to others in Jesus’ name. There is an obvious willingness to put forth time and energy and resources to make sure we are helping ourselves and others grow in faith and in spreading the good news of the Savior. I am also reminded of the wonderful leadership that surrounds me through the staff and elders and deacons.

I want to encourage you to go through a similar process this year. Think about how this ministry is a blessing to you and to others you know. I hope you will then go a step further and think about what Ministry Team is responsible for having made that blessing a possibility for you and then contact the elder or deacon responsible with a word of encouragement (their email addresses are readily available). They can then share your words with their team. Sometimes I know the Ministry Teams wonder if what they are doing is making a difference to anyone. Your words will help them to know.

Also don’t hesitate to pass along suggestions, if you feel there are opportunities we are missing. The staff, session and board of deacons always looks very carefully at new ideas that come our way. If you are not currently involved in an area of ministry, by the way, this would be a great time to join in. You will be blessed and you will be a blessing to others.

Together with you in Christ’s service,