Dear Taber EFC family,
I find myself still thinking a lot about the Ministry Leaders Retreat we enjoyed last weekend at the Southern Alberta Bible Camp. The facility is amazing—well-designed, attractive, and practical. It was good to have a tour and to hear of all that God is doing through it these days.
The Retreat itself was very encouraging because it involved about thirty people who (or whose spouse) were involved in ministry leadership at Taber EFC—as worship leaders, elders, executive board, deacons and deaconesses, youth and children’s ministries, etc. Altogether, we had five sessions that also included times for discussion and prayer. Sessions dealt with the importance of planning, the implications for ministry because of changes in our culture, servant-leadership, and leading lives of fruitfulness. We also had times of worship, the last one ending with communion. And all the kids who were there had a great time playing together too!
For me, the Retreat was a time to get to know people better and to share some things that I think are important for leaders to know for effective ministry in these days. In retrospect, I think it might have been better to have a bit less teaching and perhaps more time for discussion and informal sharing times. But I think we all would agree that these times of focusing attention on ministry in these times, and building relationship with one another, are so important. I am hopeful, that even during my time with the church, we can spend more time as ministry teams reflecting and planning for more effective ministry.
I’ll be working from home in the next couple of weeks, but some good ministries are being planned. This Sunday at 10:30, Trevor Brawdy, the Prairie District Superintendent of the EFC, will be speaking on Moving Forward in Faith and Obedience, from Exodus 14:10-18. Matt Reed will be leading worship, and children will be meeting for Kids Worship. The online version of the service won’t be available until Thursday when Pastor Brett edits part of the service (for reasons of confidentiality) that also includes a representation from Teen Challenge. So, if you can attend, so much the better .
Regarding the transition process, plans are underway to assemble an assessment team from within the congregation to gather information from members about the church and community. Our hope is that we can prayerfully get a better idea of the overall health of the church at this time. Please pray for this process that also will entail sketching a profile of the kind of pastor needed at Taber EFC for future ministry.
Have a blessed weekend serving Christ, wherever it finds you.
Pastor Ed
