A church in search

Sandee Pauls

When the Israelites set out in search of the Promised Land, Moses led the way. God showed His presence in the fiery, cloudy pillar and provided for them in miraculous fashion. They had many opportunities to increase their faith, to observe His power and to learn to trust God for their survival. We, too, have been given a chance to learn these lessons as a small prairie congregation of about 300 while we look for a pastor. Our personnel committee has been scanning the horizon for almost two years now, and we are a bit envious of those wandering Israelites who had visible evidence of God's direction through the wilderness. While we are a flock without a shepherd, we have been led to increasing awareness of the sufficiency of God in times of change.

The tremors of transition hit when our senior pastor resigned in December, 1994 and left in May, 1995. The subsequent exit of the associate pastor in November of 1995 added to an uncertain state of affairs. During this period and before, our church experienced significant fragmentation, and a small segment left our fellowship. Unresolved issues, including conflict over worship styles, threatened a tenuous unity. There was a definite need to define our vision and direction for the future in order to find the right leadership.

God's grace has been remarkably evident during this wilderness experience. Our cloudy pillar arrived finally in November, 1995 in the form of an interim pastor with talents divinely matched to our needs. As we hammered out a vision statement, his gifts aided the process marvellously. His term was a time of reconcilation and healing, and saw the birthing of new hope for the future. On October 20, 1996, the membership took a notable step into the future by formally adopting a Vision of Renewal, affirming our intentions to be diligent in prayer, to hire a youth pastor, to move toward a building project and to pursue nine other tasks we feel God is calling us to. Even in a time of transition, we were able to step out in faith.

As the clock ticks and the calendar pages turn, God's people still need care, and the church in search must go on. How? God's timely provision of strong leadership has been our saving grace. Our Leadership Team (Church Council and Board of Faith and Life) is committed, capable and confident. An excellent administrative secretary keeps a competent grasp on daily details. A worship committee scours the community and our denomination for speakers, and oversees our services. Lay members have been given the opportunity to participate in the pulpit ministry. Four worship planning teams divide up the Sundays and co-ordinate our worship services. On February 2 of this year, we ordained a couple for visitation ministry who enthusiastically serve a congregation with a significant senior population. My teenage daughter observes that people have more opportunity to develop spiritual gifts. Accordingly, there is less opportunity for the "pew potato" syndrome to establish here.

Even though we are a church in search, other good things continue to happen. Our Sunday school department is bursting at the seams. There are a variety of adult Sunday school options, all well attended. The clubs program has an excellent attendance from the community. The yearly Halloween alternative carnival run by the clubs committee was a huge success again, as a portion of our congregation joined volunteers from the youth and junior youth programs in face~-painting, sideshow games and family entertainment. We are learning how to use this event as an effective outreach tool. Through the interim ministry last year, our church baptized five new members and welcomed several transfers into our fellowship. There is another baptism planned for later in the year.

However, in spite of this, some members are feeling a little lost. Though our services never lack for variety, some hope for more continuity than can be provided by an ever-changing menu of speakers. Because we have no pastor, the implementation of our vision is slow. Waiting for the spiritual refreshment which we hope care groups will provide is hard. A counselling vacuum also causes some concern. With no specific end in sight, there is a danger that those who are discouraged may drag us down. As with the Israelites, there can be the temptation to focus on what we lack rather than on God's gracious provision.

Sandee Pauls is a member of the Steinbach (Man.) MB Church. She wishes to thank those who will recognize their insightful comments from interviews graciously granted.

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