Workplace Spirituality

We share responsibility for creating the external world by projecting either a spirit of light or a spirit of shadow on that which is other than us. We project either a spirit of hope or a spirit of despair. [...] We have a choice about what we are going to project, and in that choice we help create the world that is. A leader is a person who has an unusual degree of power to project on other people shadow or light. A leader must take special responsibility for what's going on inside his/her own self, inside his/her consciousness, lest the act of leadership create more harm than good (p. 24-25).

But, as we know, the leader's power to choose what spirit is projected cannot be fully grasped apart from core identity, character, and call, born of what we believe. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we are shaped by what we believe. Likewise, our ways of being and behaving are informed by what we believe. Belief is not a lesser form of knowledge!

The deeper challenge is our actions do not always mirror what we profess to believe. As spiritual leaders, we know that intimacy, generativity, and integrity are found in Christ. Yet, how much time do we really invest in our relationship with God in Christ? As Dallas Willard reminds us: "Everyone receives spiritual formation, just as everyone gets an education. The only question is whether it is a good one or a bad one" (The Great Omission, p. 69).

My questions to us as spiritual leaders are: Are we being intentional in our own spiritual formation, while also encouraging those with whom we live and work to be intentional about their formation? Are we (truly!) committed to a process by which we might be conformed to the image of Christ? Or do we approach our faith journey in a haphazard manner? Either way, we are formed accordingly.

As members of the Body of Christ, I believe we have a responsibility to engage in the growing conversation about "workplace spirituality." But only as we are committed practitioners will we have something worth saying, or (more to the point) someone worth embodying: our Lord and Savior.

In Christ,

Debbie

Holy Habit: Character Transformation

As we all come to learn, character transformation is a distinctly different task than behavior modification. Behavior modification is often attempted through willpower (and therefore often fails); Character transformation is born of relationship with God in Christ.  

Ultimately, our character is expressed through our beliefs and behaviors. Character is reflected through out actions when we're not thinking. To be like Jesus, our character needs to become like his. To be sure, character transformation will not occur apart from grace; but nor will it occur apart from intention.  

This next week, reflect on your character through the practice of the daily examen each night before bed. Below is the practice as used by Ignatius:

1. Become aware of God's presence.

2. Review the day with gratitude.

3. Pay attention to your emotions.

4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.

Hello to Everyone!

Below is a flyer for our fall Blood Drive with the America Red Cross, at our Buffalo-Cumberland Church on October 23, 2014 from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm.  The Church is located at 302 W Main Street in Cumberland, Ohio. 

Blood is very much needed, and is very important and powerful. If you are able to give, please put the date on your calender, pass this information on by placing it in your newsletters or even print and put up on your news board.   

Call the church at 740-638-2877 for an appointment or the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS. 

Thank you!

Pastor Jim

James R. Gibson,

68340 Mount Hermon Road

Cambridge, Ohio 43725

(740) 439-2961,(p)

(740) 517-1190,(c)

jimrgibson@yahoo.com  

• GA: increases to $7.07
• Synod: remains at $3.25
• MVP remains at $18.36
• Total Per Capita is $28.68.

Per capita letters for each church will be sent near the end of 2014.  Please note: the membership number for your church is based on the membership number reported by your churches to the Office of the General Assembly for your statistical reports, year ending December 2013. If your church did not complete your statistical report, your membership number may not be accurate.   

When you receive your per capita letter, if the membership number on your is inaccurate, please contact Candice McMath at the Mission Center to receive adjustment instructions.  

Good afternoon everyone,

We in the Office of Mission Program Grants would like to take this opportunity to share the current nomination forms for the 2015 Sam & Helen R. Walton Awards for outstanding new church developments that have placed an emphasis on site acquisition.  Click on the links here to access the nomination form and the  cover letter. 

The Mission Development Resources Committee (MDRC) will make decisions on Walton Awardees during their March 2015 meeting.

If you have any questions or comments about the Walton Award or Mission Program Grants, please contact our office.  We are sure that we will be able to answer your questions and assist you through this process.  Please visit our webpage, http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionprogramgrants, to download our resources and application form.

Sincerely,

Tim McCallister, Associate

Office of Mission Program Grants

Presbyterian Mission Agency

Tim.McCallister@pcusa.org 

Tel:  (888) 728-7228, Ext. 5230; (502) 569-5230

Fax: (502) 333-7251

 http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionprogramgrants/ 

 

• choir robes (both youth and adult)
• paraments (including a storage case)
• Celebration hymnals
• and many other assorted items

Please contact Jen Baer at 330-601-0098 or jenniferannbaer@gmail.com to arrange to see the items and pick up any you are interested in.    

From First Presbyterian in Marietta: 

Our congregation purchased the building and contents of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Marietta.  We are trying to find a good home for the pews and organ in that building.  We would be glad to accept a monetary gift (we have been selling smaller pews to individuals for $100), but our bigger concern is to find a church or other space where these could be put to good use.

Anyone who might be interested is asked to send an email to pastor.fpcmarietta@yahoo.com.  We can arrange a time for an up-close look.  

Grace and Peace,

David Smith
First Pres of Marietta.