“Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Eph. 5:15-17 (NLT) Paul has a ways with words. I continue to be amazed at how God used Paul in writing so many of the books of the New Testament. Paul’s back ground was that of an attorney with great speaking and writing skills. One does not go very far in any government body with out those kinds of skills. It’s to this end I am intrigued in Paul’s last statement, “try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.” So how does one understand what the Lord wants you to do? One of the keys, from my perspective, is to look at your occupation. The skills, abilities and those areas in your job that you find satisfaction, can be an important key to understanding what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t think that what you do in your occupation can’t be use by God for effective ministry. I also find it fascinating Paul’s use of the word “try”. To me that tells me God honors those who try to follow His Son Jesus, who tries to discover what you are good at. God honors those who take that next step in the process of life.
As a church family we have tried a lot of things this past year that we are still working on: Five services on the weekend, three different styles of music, and our first off site video venue (Thanks John McMurren, for being the face of the Centre at Des Moines). We continue to adjust those services to make sure we are fulfilling the purposes God has for us.
Sharing: we are seeking God for developing one major outreach that Brooklake would be noted for, an outreach outside the walls of the church building.
Growing: We have brought on Charlie Golden to develop a team to provide avenues for people interested in developing their understanding of the Word. We are looking for: on line devotions, on line Bible studies if some mentors to assist people, retreats based on specific spiritual habits, on site Bible discussion groups, and monthly teaching in the auditorium where communion will be served for believers. Bonnie Nadrich is not only giving leadership to our seniors group she is also giving leadership developing a team to recruit and train people in our Member care ministry, that should be up and operating by December 2007. Thanks Bonnie for all you do!
Connecting: Tom McElligott continues to excel in training and developing small group leaders. These leaders from a Biblical viewpoint really are “Deacons”, caring for those who make Brooklake their church family. Thanks to all of you who have made yourselves available to serve in this important and critical area of ministry.
Serving: Pat Huggins continues to give great leadership in helping people discover what they are good at. We have secured a web site to assist people in understanding what they are good at. While there’s a cost for every person who takes this “Uniquely You” profile, we believe it’s a great investment in helping people with this first step of being effective in serving God by serving others.
Honoring God: While this is much bigger than our weekend services, it’s a life style, I do want to say a big thanks to Ian McMurren for the leadership in working with a vast array of musicians and technical personnel. We do have some of the best music of any Church in the greater Northwest. Ian works with Ron Bowe of the Classic service, the team at The Centre, The Wedge and of course the second and third services Sunday morning on the Federal Way campus. Again we try to keeping in mind our target person (CLASS 101), Brooklake Bob who is 34.7 years old. What would make him feel comfortable and want to come back to hear about the wonders of God?
Building and Campuses: We are in the midst of starting the construction of the new Children’s ministry center. Jim Pecota continues to serve in this area keeping all the campus in great shape. We only get one chance for a first impression. Jim also serves as our accountant for the church ministries.
Trustees: Gary Crowder, Paul Frink, Terry Koubele, and David Snell, these men have served the Church family with incredible faithfulness and expertise. Each of these men have or are working in areas where the skills needed for this position are called for: Managing and overseeing finances greater than ones personal finances, managing and working with staff. Thanks men for all you do!
School department: Renee Pecota and Lani Eylander are passionate about the school ministry. Each one with a different skill set they complement each other wonderfully. With the changing of the demographics in this area we have had to be very proactive in getting the word out about this first class school. We have some of the best teachers in the entire state of Washington. I continue to be impressed with the level of teaching and commitment these teachers have for their students.
Personal side: This past year has been filled with some physical challenges and some emotion challenges. Yet, life continues to roll on and His purposes are the same no matter what events happens in ones life. I am blessed with three wonderful sons and three fabulous daughter-on-laws. Micah and Bria–live and work in Olympia, Marc and Krystn-live and work in Spain 10 months out of the year, Morgan and Nicole-live, work and go to school in the Bothell area. And then of course there is my wife, Melody. We laughter together, learn together, comfort each other and grow older and wiser together. This past year we celebrated 34 years of marriage and there is still stuff we are learning about each other.
To each and every one of you, thanks for making Brooklake a safe place for people to be encouraged as they follow Jesus and for people who are investigating what it means to be a follower of Jesus. It is to this end we labor: influencing as many people as possible to make the decision to be followers of Jesus and then to see them in Heaven. Thanks for your investment in eternity, an investment that will out live all of us.
Pastor Mike
Recent Comments