Pastor's Note

       Many people today are buying new cars equipped with a “GPS.” With this new technology, all one has to do is insert in the GPS the address of where they want to go and it will guide them to this planned destination. It will show every crook and turn in the road. A voice will come on and say, “get in the right lane, turn right at the next corner.” The only way anyone can get lost is to not follow the instructions it gives.

       On Saturday, January 7, the Church Council of Court Street Church met and mapped in where we want to go over the next 12 months of 2012. It’s our GPS and the only way we can lose our way is to not follow the instructions it gives us.

       There are 6 goals, all doable and measurable. As you read these goals (see below) you will discover that the church wants to reach out to the community, and even around the world, to extend it’s mission work and financial support. Our budget supports the Lynchburg District and the Virginia Conference work in the amount of $45,000.00 per year. Then there are multiple local projects that are supported physically, prayerfully, and financially by the church over and above the budget figures. The GPS suggests we continue those missions, plus, we are to add on “new” “missions special” unique to Court Street this year. Think about what that may be and let the council know your idea.

       Then second, the major area and the place we want to go is Evangelism. The Council has mapped in the GPS our destination. We want to receive 24 new members during 2012. This is an average of 2 per month. We have already received 2 in January, but we must work hard to reach the 24 goal. We received 21 new members in 2011, and to do better we must receive 3 more than last year. It’s doable, so let’s do it!

       Then the GPS tells us we should have an average attendance of 115 per Sunday. This is a real challenge for all of us. It will mean our members will attend church every Sunday possible. It will mean, also, that we need to invite the inactives and especially friends.

       Let us listen to the directions and follow the voice of our “GPS”, which could mean “Go Preach Salvation”, to a world that needs to follow the message of Christ. The voice says “get in the right lane and turn right at the next corner.” If we do these two things, we will reach our destination safely without getting lost. Oh yes, we have our desired destination, but there will be many crooks and turns along the way, so listen carefully and act responsibly and we will get it done.

       Many people today are buying new cars equipped with a “GPS.” With this new technology, all one has to do is insert in the GPS the address of where they want to go and it will guide them to this planned destination. It will show every crook and turn in the road. A voice will come on and say, “get in the right lane, turn right at the next corner.” The only way anyone can get lost is to not follow the instructions it gives.

Strategic Goals

1. Appoint a coordinator to oversee advertising campaign for 2012 by March 1, 2012, which will increase church growth and participation in all church programs. Coordinator shall report progress of ad campaign to Church Council by June council meeting.

2. Request Property Committee to devise a plan for increasing the curb appeal of church and report to church council by March 2012.

3. Encourage church members to become more committed to our current mission projects and to establish at least one new project unique to our church to be completed on or before January 1, 2013.

4. Increase church attendance on Sunday to an average of 115 persons and increase church membership by 2 each month by December 31, 2012.

5. Develop a program to reach out to downtown residents/workers by May 31, 2012.

6. Develop programs to involve new members and foster acclamation of new members by May 31, 2012.