Just in case you did not read it in the Presbytery packet, I am preparing to lead the Task Force that will assess the needs of the presbytery and set in place a staffing configuration to best meet these needs. As I begin this work, I do so believing God is guiding us. Thus, I gave the following report to our Council concerning the work of a Task Force I am calling the Jeremiah 29:11 Group.

 

A.  Jeremiah 29:11 Group: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”  We go into this process with the faith that God is leading us. Our calling is to do our best to listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in seeking the answers to questions of staff configuration, new ministry opportunities, etc. The following is an outline of the process, including Guiding Principles that will be fundamental to the work of the 29:11 Group.

1. Identify Leadership

a.  Request the Council authorize the Council Moderator, the Presbytery Moderator
     and the Interim Executive Presbyter to name the members of the Jeremiah 29:11
     Group.  Council did act to authorize us to name the members of this 29:11 Group.

b.  The 29:11 Group will consist primarily of “Sustaining” and “Change” Agents identified by Council.
     These are people the Council has recognizes as having a unique understanding of the Presbytery
     of West Virginia – these will be people you know and trust.

        
                   2. Guiding Principles – The 29:11 Group will determine ground rules for how they function and the process 
                       they will use for soliciting input from the Presbytery, etc.  These Guiding Principles will be essential:

                            a. Communication – 29:11 will commit to regularly communicate their work.  Often times a failure of
                                any task force is to make the mistake of not letting people know what is going on.  29:11 will 
                                report at every meeting of Council and Presbytery, as well as find other means to inform the 
                                Presbytery. This is the first of many times we will be communicating with Presbytery as to the 
                                progress of the 29:11 Group.
                            b. All-Inclusive Input – 29:11 will intentionally collect input from all the ministers and churches of 
                                Presbytery. We will have various forums to listen and share information.

                  
                   3. Purpose of the 29:11 Group – In general, the purpose of the 29:11 Group is to gain an understanding 
                       of the ministry needs of the presbytery, with an eye to the unique concerns of smaller churches and make 
                       recommendations on to how to meet those needs with a heart towards how we may best serve Christ's 
                       Kingdom.  With this general information, the 29:11 Group will make specific recommendations concerning
                       the staffing configuration of the Presbytery.

 

B.  Prayers - So, here is where we are as we begin this journey. Please pray for Cinda Harkless (Presbytery Moderator), Jim Rowe (Council Moderator) and myself, Stephen Melton (Interim Executive Presbyter) as we seek out member of the 29:11 Group and begin the work of seeking the path God wants us to follow.