One of my favourite things about living in Canada is the change of seasons. It really shows off God’s creativeness in His creation.
However, the change from summer to fall, for me, is always filled with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I look forward to the NFL football season (CFL is already underway). But, on the other hand, the days get shorter, cooler, and busier all at the same time.
Although Kingsview has officially been in a season of transition since the end of October 2012, we’re entering a new season of ministry on September 1st. We’ve had some great times of ministry, friendship and celebration with Pastor Howard, Linda & Ayanna and have been able to wish them all the best in the next stage of their journey. Now, the finality of their leaving begins to hit us – this is for real.
Yet we can relax, knowing that God is with us and has a plan for us; it’s a plan “for good and not for disaster” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT) – what great news! If you remember this scripture passage from our August prayer theme, which is one of my own life-verses, God’s promise is to give us a future, and a hopeful one at that.
Bishop Keith has helped us to see that as he has coached us through the LifePlan process and has led us together to this point. Following the Dream Session in June, we agreed that the following five priorities are keys to Kingsview’s hopeful future:
- Prayer
- Small Groups
- Worship
- Discipleship
- Biblical Teaching
Am I a little nervous about being the Transition Pastor? Sure, a little bit… it’s a big responsibility. But, I’m also confident that God listens to and answers our prayers, and is anxious to be found when we seek Him wholeheartedly (vv. 13-14).
I’m looking forward to exploring together what God has in store for us:
- becoming the inter-cultural and inter-generational group of people that God has called us to be
- growing into more prayerful, worshipful, passionate & mature disciples of Jesus
- reaching our local community and beyond with the good news of the Gospel
So, we can approach this new season at Kingsview like the changing of the physical seasons. Remember the good things from seasons past, look forward to the new season, and be hopeful, anticipating the good things that God will do, and be thankful these changes don’t take place four times every year!
Writer Hannah Whitall Smith reminds of a tendency to avoid;
It’s generally much less difficult for us to commit the keeping of our future to the Lord than it is to commit our present. We know we are helpless as regards our future, but we feel as if the present is in our own hands and must be carried on our own shoulders…
So, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Sounds to me like a good prayer theme for our new season.