Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon

"We Are --- First Church"

"We are the church. I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together."

I don't think there is any ministry setting I've known where that is any more true than here in Fort Collins. There is a high degree of ownership in this church and the future of the church. Put simply, people care about First Church and are invested in its ministry and future.

When our Administrative Council met a several weeks ago we thought about our dreams. What would we like to think about the future of the church? Where are we headed?

The dreams were widespread. Some wanted to be sure all the members of the staff had health insurance. Some wanted to add staff members to make our ministry more effective and efficient. Some wanted to look into pod-caste of the worship services and up-grading the technology of the church in a variety of ways. Some want to have a Kitchen Coordinator who can open up the use of the kitchen in new ways.

The dreams of our church are telling us that we haven't arrived where we want to be but that we have moved forward in good ways. The dreams do not cause us to look with despair at the basic and foundational aspects of ministry as if it were missing, but encourages us to enhance our ministry; to move it forward.

We are the church. The strengths of the ministry here are many.

There are no weak ministries in this church. The youth, children, and adult programs are as good as any church in Fort Collins. The senior ministry is one of the best in the state. The church library is award winning. The music program is powerful and the diverse. The women's ministry holds a strong United Methodist Women's ministry as well as a concern for the role and status of women in the church.

We are the church, together.

Sunday is our Commitment Sunday.

We have the privilege of supporting our church once more and ensuring its future. What good fortune we have to do that for a church that is as strong as it is and as full of potential.

If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments box" below.


I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster