As we learned last summer and fall, building is a process that doesn't happen overnight.   It takes careful planning and organization. Before anyone could pour the foundation the ground had to be properly excavated and compacted. The Mission Builders didn't start putting up the walls until the foundation had been properly laid. The roof didn't go on until the walls had been secured. The sheetrock didn't go up until the electrical and plumbing had been installed. One step at a time...and all in the proper order. Build a building out of order and you'll have a building that will never stand.

As we enter 2012, we have more building to do! Now that we have walls and a roof, it's time to build the ministry that happens within those walls!

On Sunday, December 11^th Peace began some 'excavation.' Karen Gieseke from the Bishop's Staff came to help us think about Family Ministry.   The long range goal is to rethink the ways that Peace helps people to grow in faith. Click here to see a summary of the conversation from that day.

As we discuss these things, the temptation is to quickly move to these kinds of questions:

• What kinds of programs will help people grow in faith?
• Should Peace continue with a 'traditional' Sunday School? If so, what time should it meet?
• Should Peace have faith building opportunities that involve entire families in one activity?
• How could Peace incorporate education opportunities within the worship service?
• How can Peace help families to get involved in faith building activities within their homes?
• How will Peace recruit people to lead faith building activities?

These are awesome questions...but jumping right to them is like building the walls before the foundation is complete. Right now, it's time excavate and prepare the ground so that everything can be built on a solid foundation.

On Sunday, December 11^th the group that met developed the following 'themes' that can undergird this ministry:

• Provide a post-confirmation connection.
• Help people feel comfortable: Accepted...no matter where you are in your journey; non-judgmental
• Support and supported
• Faith & church: in the home, part of daily life, a lifestyle
• Opportunities for fellowship for ALL ages.

This Sunday we will again gather after worship to build a foundation for this ministry. We'll discuss whether these themes fit our congregation. We'll explore them in depth. We'll work to discern the direction that God calls us. YOU are an essential part of the conversation.  This conversation isn't just for people with kids. It's not just for people who want to teach. It's not for people who have a background of Sunday School and worship. This is a conversation for people filled with the Holy Spirit. Hey, that's YOU! This conversation gets at the heart of who we are as a congregation.

To give time for the conversation, I will even shorten the sermon this week!! Get out your stop-watches and test it out.

I admit that I like to hurry ahead into new projects. I have a zillion ideas of what we can do here at Peace. Until we have a 'goal' in mind, though, planning programs and activities makes no sense. We need to know where we're going before we can think about how we can get there.  

This Sunday come, grab a cookie and cup of coffee, and dream with us. Your perspective is essential. The future of this ministry depends on it.