Numbers show we have much more to do

Transforming the district

Friends, next week will be our training session with Don Nations in our Transforming the District: Bringing in the Kingdom.
As I look at our year-end statistics, I am glad that we are attempting to bring new life to our churches. Our total membership increased by 45.
However, 10 of our churches had no baptisms in 2004. Thirteen of our churches had no confessions of faith. Our worship attendance dropped.
Those numbers prompted me to consider what the year-end report might have looked like if we were not doing this transforming-the-district process.
Pastors, remember your vows of ordination. We are set apart to preach the gospel, administer the sacraments, order the life of the church and serve our neighbors.
God said that God’s word will not return empty. Do we spend more time cleaning the rolls than we do setting up our hospitality and welcoming ministry?
Laypeople, are you inviting your neighbors to church? If not, why not?
What if we “offered Christ to all” people in our neighborhoods with school-age children? Why not?
My hope is that all of our congregations will qualify for the Certified Welcoming Congregation designation before the annual conference session convenes June 1.
We can do that, God being our helper.