The Lord is faithful and good, every day, every year. It’s an honor, as always, to have served as your president this past year and the chair of the executive committee. Earlier this year, when requesting time off from my own pulpit in order to take the trip to the Houston area mentioned in the Executive Committee report, one of my elders remarked that it was a good opportunity to show the members of the congregation that their support for me as a pastor not only enabled my labors in the local congregation, but also in the broader work of the church as well. I’m beyond grateful to have been employed in that labor these last few years. May the Lord give it fruit!
The parochial reports consistently demonstrate one of the strengths of the RCUS, which is the faithful employment of the means of grace. These are always given much weight in the parochial reports and rightly so. Our preaching and teaching, administration of the sacraments, and prayer for our people must always be the center of our ministry as pastors and as churches. One thing I have always appreciated about the RCUS is the prominence given to these central elements.
Another joy is to read that our churches are, for the most part, without great conflict right now. While we know the storms will come in God’s good will, we can be thankful for the periods of peace as well and know that the fruits of righteousness grow in the soil of peace.
We experienced modest growth this last year, for which we are thankful. This growth is, of course, uneven and localized, some churches experiencing some growth, one church accounting for a high proportion of that growth due to the addition of a whole new congregation (Praise God!), and others experiencing flat or slightly negative growth.
A risk we must always watch out for is complacency, being content to simply go through the motions of ministry. We are not immune to temptations, including the temptations of growing cold and losing our first love. I don’t see that in the South Central Classis, but in times of peace and without dramatic upheaval, it is a risk we must guard against.
One consistent need I see arising from many of the reports is a shortage of leadership. Both in the ministry and the eldership, several congregations report looming needs. Some men are approaching retirement. A congregation might perhaps seek an associate minister as the needs of the congregation are too great for one man. Others report a dearth of elders. Actively preparing men for leadership, thinking years ahead in terms of developing that leadership, whether it be men for the lay offices or encouraging those that might be gifted and minded toward the ministry should be a high priority for all our churches. Even if presently our leadership is adequate, change can happen quickly and developing the gifts that men might have for leadership should always be a top priority for us. I’d suggest and encourage that we all be about the work of mentoring and discipling men, even those that seem a ways off from taking on that work, and to trust the Lord will provide for the needs of His church. And of course, to that end, being constant in prayer!
Again, this year, we will have much time devoted to the examination of men for the ministry in the RCUS, and I’d remind the body again, unnecessarily I trust, of the great importance of this work. This is, I would assert, the most important thing we do. I believe the South Central Classis has taken this responsibility very seriously in the past, and it is my prayer that we would continue to do so, as taxing as the labor can be.
Once again, the two other members of the executive committee have been faithful in
their labors as we work together to do the work of the Classis throughout the year. Elder Fred Hoffmann has been a faithful treasurer and would like to continue to do that work, but due to health concerns, has asked to step back from the Executive Committee. The Nominations Committee will no doubt select a worthy replacement for him. And I also want to thank Pastor Chris Bradley for his diligent service as the Classis clerk. By the reading of this report, we will know whether he has been elected to another term in that office. Either way, I believe the Classis should commend him as well for his labors.
May God continue to bless the South Central Classis with the power of His Spirit to do the work He has given us to do.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Matt Powell
President, South Central Classis