I have been blessed by being a part of Oak Grove for the past 5 years. It is a joy and rather interesting to be involved in a different role for the time being. I have moved from construction manager, consultant, and sound tech to being the pastor. I am grateful for Chet Winans stepping up to be the sound person and Alex Neuhaus doing so with the Trustees. I appreciate their help during this time of transition.
We still have some challenges and changes ahead of us. First, is the movement to a simple board. A small church does not need the same committees as a large church. We will transition this year to a unified council that serves as all the various committees. In all honesty, we have been operating this way for several years. I don’t think you will recognize any change other than a smaller nominations sheet at the end of the year. All members will still be invited to come and engage with the leadership at council meetings.
The second challenge will be what we do about pastoral leadership. We all recognize that the cost of housing, eating, gasoline and the like has increased. Finding a pastor that can live with what we pay will be next to impossible. There are very few retired pastors available to do what needs to be done at Oak Grove. There is a lot of pastoral care, administrative items as well as preaching and teaching that goes on. We need to make sure we increase the budget to accommodate the growing need of our people and the community.
Pray about what you can do to help Oak Grove reach out to people with the love of God. Your stepping into leadership is one place. Making sure you are giving as God has called you to give is another. A church can only fulfill God’s mission for her if the people who are the church fulfill the mission God has given them. The church is not just an institution but the people that are part of it.
We are blessed to be a part of church that has met under the oaks for 140 years. Oak Grove has survived many things in its past and has the opportunity to be its best self in the future. Join with me in fulfilling God’s call to be his people in this place.
Blessings,
Rev. Brad Humphrey
[email protected]