One of the characteristics of effective church leaders is a willingness to evaluate, study, and to plan for the future. This involves understanding the needs of the congregation, the needs of the community, and the will of God. Proverbs 27:23 reminds shepherds to “know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds.”

In recent months, your elders and pastors have been engaged in an in-depth study of all aspects of our church’s physical, financial, and human resources. We have been gathering lots of valuable information about our church’s demographics, perceived needs, and potential for ministry in the future. We have been helped in this process by Dr. Mike Lawson of Dallas Theological Seminary.

This planning work will continue as we gather for a retreat October 28-29 to spend extended time in prayer and thinking creatively about the future. Our research has led us to concentrate on five major initiatives: Our facilities for the Christian education of children; a complete evaluation of our worship services; how we as a church can make disciples for Jesus Christ through family ministries; how we can improve our assimilation of new people into our church; and developing points of contact with our community and reaching new people for Christ.

We are learning a lot as we research these important themes and develop action plans for implementing ministries in the future. We are deeply grateful for the scores and scores of committed people who are using their spiritual gifts in ministries in and through our church. We are thankful for our church’s impact on the community, and we want to see that grow.

Like you, our elders and pastors love our church and want to do what we can to keep it strong and effective for many years to come. As you pray for us in our work as church leaders, together we can help Metropolitan Baptist Church make the greatest possible impact for Jesus Christ in our generation.

Pastor Randall Faulkner