In July I had the opportunity to break away from the normal
routine of pastoring and take some time to reflect and dream. It gave me a
chance to evaluate the past three years at Centerpointe Church and think
about our future. It also gave me a chance to rest, exercise, reconnect with
some mentors and friends and enjoy some things I love, like riding a
motorcycle, visiting coffee shops and going to Camden Yards to watch the
Orioles.
This also gave me an opportunity to visit other churches and
celebrate what God is doing in other places. Not only did I enjoy the messages,
I learned some things about the way other churches function and take care of
their guests. God is working all over to bring people to himself.
Reading books about church and leadership was very rewarding
during this time. My favorites were: Leading the Starbucks Way by Joseph A Michelli; The
Multiplying Church by Bob Roberts Jr.; Listening to the Voice of God by Roger
Barrier.
The real impact came from visiting the campus of Lee University
in Chattanooga Tennessee. As we were walking around campus I noticed that on
every building, engraved in stone was the scripture reference Psalms 90:17. We
later discovered a bronze statue (in honor of Paul and Darlia Conn) of a man sitting on a bench with his Bible
opened to the verse which says, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon
us, and may He establish the work of our hands, yes establish the work of our
hands.” This is the prayer of a desperate soul who recognized his temporary
presence in this world and wants to leave a meaningful legacy. This became my
theme verse for July and also the messages I would preach in August and September.
The Life Application Bible says this about the verse, “Because
our days are numbered, we want our work to count, to be effective and
productive. We desire to see God’s eternal plan revealed now and for our work
to reflect his permanence.”
There are major changes happening at Centerpointe Church. We
are dreaming about our future and making bold strategic steps towards it. My
prayer is the same as the psalmist, “Lord, whatever we do, let it be for your
honor because that is the only way it will mean anything for the future
generations. It’s important that we get this right, so give us wisdom to know
your direction, discernment to know your voice and courage to follow through.”
Serving Him,
Pastor Keith
