Changes happen. Get over it!!

The word "Change" strikes fear in the heart of many churches. Sometimes change is a planned thing and sometimes it is totally unplanned, but is forced by circumstances. We are in for a summer of changes of both kinds here at COJ this summer. Some of us will fear the change; some of us will oppose the change; and some of us will embrace it wholeheartedly. But in the end, we will all live with the changes, because change is, in all likelihood, inevitable.



One of our changes is caused by the departure of Rev. Terry Plocher who has been the moving force behind the Youth worship program we have called "Revolution." He is moving on to a new ministry, and the program will take on totally new dimensions after his departure. We will have to re-think, re-shape, and re-vive a new program to take its place. This will take time and it will take patience for us. It will also take leadership which will work with change and will give breath and spirit to the time of re-birth. That will be hard, and it will take both patience and energy. I hope that COJ is up to that challenge this summer.



The other change that is coming to us is that our Worship Leader will be moving forward in his plans for the future during the summer and will be testing the waters of Christian work. This means that we will have to work without him for the next 8 weeks or so. As well, One of the Principal musicians is taking a leading role in music at another facility and will be missed as well. Another change we did not anticipate, but which will give us an opportunity to grow and adjust if we are willing to pray and work toward change. Any musicians out there who love Jesus and want to join a great band on Sunday mornings?



COJ has never been a status quo church. There is no reason to think that we have suddenly become one. Let's see what is happening and go for it.

Off to See the Wizard (or Bishop)

I am in the process of packing up my briefcase and suitcase for a trip to Annual Conference. I have good clothes and comfortable clothes. I have a couple of books to read, and some periodicals I haven't had time to read for a while. I also have the materials I received from the Conference to study before conference begins.

I am starting to get excited. Some folks are neutral about Annual Conference and others can't stand it; but there are a few, and I count myself among them, who love the time we spend in Christian Conversation, debate, and decision. This year is a "Resolutions Year" which means that we will be considering many proposals for stances on social issues. As Chairman of the Conference Resolutions Committee I have overseen the process of review of all of these proposals, and will know get to see what other people think of them. Some will pass and some will not, but everyone will have a chance to be heard.

This is also a year for our Annual Conference to elect delegates to General Conference in May of 2008. We will elect 8 lay people and 8 clergy. There are 26 lay people running for their 8 seats and 40 clergy running for their 8. It will be very interesting to see the process unfold.

There will also be programs approved and budgets to support them voted on, and the final plans for the restructuring of the annual conference will take place. All in all, I am sure that when I get in my vehicle to return home on Sunday evening, I will have been in turn, excited, bored, mad, glad, and sometimes overwhelmed. But somewhere in all of that, there will the subject matter for another blog.

See you all when I get back.

Pastor Realff