"I am about to do a new thing. Do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43: 19)

At the Elder's meeting on May 2nd I said we might want to consider entering into a process that enables congregational transformation. With new leadership coming on board July 1^st, this might be an opportune time to look at such a process and decide if it is something we want to embrace.

One might ask: "What is congregational transformation? Well, transformation is a commitment on the part of a congregation to be constantly looking for the new things that God is doing in our midst and to welcome and participate in them. Transformation is a process by which these new things can be discerned. Transformation is the renewal the Holy Spirit can bring about as a result.

Why should our church consider transformation? The transformation process can lead to new vitality for a congregation. The transformation process helps congregations gaine an increase in spiritual energy, vision and passion, increase membership and worship attendance, develop new mission and outreach programs, and improve finances.

It is important to note that transformation is not a program. It is a process, even a congregational life style. The church, it's leaders and membership, constantly seek to discern God's will for its mission and ministry. There are models to facilitate the process, and I am in the process of identifying and evaluating those models.

Transformation can take shape in one or more of the following ways:

• Inward focus of ministry to outward focus of ministry
  
• Taking care of member's needs to ministering to the hurts/needs of the un-churched & world
  
• Institutional mindset to Missionary mindset
  
• Institutional maintenance to mission to not-yet Christian people
  
• God taking care of us to joining God in the work of caring for God's world
  
• "Bulky" governance structures to flexible governance approaches
  
• People will matter more than buildings and equipment
  
• People will matter more than our customs and habits
  

Let's consider the possibilities.

Grace and peace,