“Where there is no vision the people perish,” (KJV, Proverbs 29:18) “Where there is no vision the people perish,” (Prov. 29:18), is a verse that is often used in churches to coax them into some sort of planning event. Our Church council has recently endorsed the concept of our congregation engaging in a strategic planning cycle. Our Congregational Chairman, Mr. Brian Hoeppner has spoken to the flock on Sunday morning encouraging people to become involved. Therefore, in the context of our intentions to engage in self-examination and congregational planning, how are we to understand this often misunderstood scripture. In other words, we are to ask ourselves the old ‘Lutheran Question,’ “What does this mean?” Christian leadership books often quote Proverbs 29:18 as a rationale for a church writing a vision statement. The KJV version reads, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” This wording fits nicely for those who want to persuade others regarding the need for a vision statement. While it is good for leaders to communicate vision, Proverbs 29:18 is not talking about a leader’s vision, or the collective leadership vision of a group of people. Rather, “vision” here refers to special revelation and the principle is that that apart from God’s Word, society quickly spins into moral chaos. Three more recent translations render the verse’s meaning as follows: New International Version) “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” New King James Version) “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.” And the even more recent (English Standard Version) “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” The word translated “prophetic vision” refers to special revelation or God’s Word. The word translated “cast off restraint” carries the idea of there being a total loss of social order. It is the same word used in Exodus 32:25 to describe the Israelite’s frenzy and lack of focus on God’s will an during the Golden Calf disaster, “Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies (Exodus 32:25, NIV). If a people do not hear and give heed to God’s Word in their lives, then we can expect those people and the congregations that they belong to churches to cast off restraint and every person will then pursue what they believe in their own mind to be the ‘will of God’ in the life of the individual and of the body of Christ (i.e. the church). One of the lessons taught by Proverbs 29:18 is that harmony within the body of believers and the restraint that such a message induces cannot be achieved without the exhortations of the prophets and the teaching of the Word. Such a thought is also conveyed in the writings of St. Paul to the New Testament church hundreds of years later. “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:14-17). It is wise and good for a congregation to periodically re-examine its purpose, direction and methodologies. While the Word of God never changes, the environment and conditions of its proclamation do change. “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1Co.9:19-23). When a congregation engages in ‘strategic planning’ it is merely a way for the people of God in Christ Jesus, to once again to examine, commit and implement the mission of proclaiming and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ within the context or environment in which it is called to function (i.e. Woodburn and the world). The planning process identifies and facilitates a decision making process that is both proactive and, as the Holy Spirit guides, reactive to our changing environment membership and the community around us. A strategic plan is intended to be both a benchmark and an ongoing, flexible, living document. It helps guides the ongoing planning process even as it is part of that process. It should be referred to frequently to examine potential decisions and mark continued progress towards spiritual and tangible measurable goals. As situations change, as unforeseen challenges arise, and as new opportunities present themselves, the strategic plan is to function as a yardstick against which we can be prepared to examine and implement any deviations from the plan. Specifics in the plan can be changed as the congregation is led by the Holy Spirit, but this should occur in a manner that facilitates adequate discussion, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace,” (Eph.4:3) and sound scriptural support and guidance, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20). I think it can be safety said that in many instances modern marketing and business models have had great influence on the church. Through them new terminology, ideas and ideals have entered into our collective mind. Many Churches now have vision, mission, and purpose statements. They have strategic goals and action plans. I think many of these additions have been beneficial. Holy Scripture is clear. Jesus Himself has given His church a mission, “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Mat. 28:18-20). The ‘Great Commission’ given by Christ Himself does not entail a ‘Great Omission’ in planning how we are called to accomplish this task. Scripture makes it clear that God wants us to use our brains in determining how to best fulfill that mission in our world. The process of Strategic Planning, when rooted in Scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit can be a helpful way to solicit, guide and motivate God’s people to seek His will for His church whenever and wherever they find themselves. Proverbs 28:18 “Where there is no vision the people perish,” is a call to faith and action but also a warning to make sure that the Word of God is always before us. It is a warning to pastors to make sure they are delivering the Word from God. It is a warning to Christians to make sure they are delving into the Word of God. The Church Council respectfully requests your participation over the next few months in our planning events. Every age group is needed in order that we may hear all the voices and be blessed by the collective wisdom of the flock. Above all, look to God’s Word, seek the guidance of His Holy Spirit, and prayerfully prepare yourself to be used in His service. “.. to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph. 3:20-21). God Bless.. Pastor Tim. Financial Review of the First Quarter for 2014-Income for the first quarter of 2014 was $75,898.67. This is $13,327.88 LESS than the first quarter of last year. If income remains the same over the last nine months compared to the same time period of last year, the income for 2014 will be $326,733.31. If this holds true, this will mean that income will have decreased every year since 2008. Christ Lutheran Church Finance Board uses a “Balanced Budget” format in preparing the yearly budget. The 2015 budget will be the average of 2012, 2013, and 2014. Based on the information we have at the current time, the budget for 2015 will be $342,400.49. This means will have to cut $14,977 from this year’s budget. A 2015 budget scenario was presented at the Feb. Voter’s meeting. In this budget a 2% increase was figured in most line items with WLS holding the same. The following line items would all be $0 amounts: Guest Musicians Youth Group Evangelism Stewardship Stephen Ministry Senior Ministry Missions Synod & District Social Welfare And with all these line items $0, we will still need to cut $5,526 from the budget. At the Feb. Voter’s meeting, a member suggested a % cut across all line items. A % Cut Budget will be presented at the May Voter’s meeting. Here is the effect on just two line items. For example, Pastor’s salary will be cut by $2,188. WLS will be cut by $4,751. All other line items except fixed costs will be cut by a certain %. Please attend the May voter’s meeting for more information about this budget. The Finance Board is only saying this is what a 2015 Budget could look like. The Finance Board is trying to be proactive and make you aware of the situation in May instead of waiting until Nov. Please note these numbers are approximate amounts and will change as the income changes each month. Hopefully the income will increase over the remainder of the year and lessen the burden on the budget. Respectfully, CLC Finance Board MARK YOUR CALENDARS Our summer worship schedule begins on May 25th. Christ Lutheran Wiser Saints Bus Trip to Creation Museum at Cincinnati, Ohio Tuesday, June 24, 2014 The Wiser Saints are taking a trip to the Creation Museum at Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 24th. We will be traveling on a 29 passenger Excursions Trailways Bus. A few seats are still available. The schedule for the day: leave the church at 7:30 a.m.; about 9:00 a.m., take a 30 minute break; and arrive at the Museum at 11:00 a.m. We will leave the Museum at 4:00 p.m., about 5:30 p.m., take a 30 minute break; and return to the church at 7:30 p.m. If you wish to go with us, please contact any member of the Committee – Tom & Sandie Beerbower, Mel & Bert Doctor, Paul & Esther Goeglein, DeWayne & Sandy Heckley, or John & Shirley Hindall. The remaining seating will be reserved on a first-come, first served basis. The cost per person (meals not included) is $45.00; payment may be made in cash or by check payable to Christ Lutheran Church by Sunday, May 11th. Admission to the Museum will be paid from Wiser Saints’ funds. We will be on a self-guided tour – you decide the exhibits, events, and theater productions that you wish to visit. Generations Celebration The Christ Lutheran Women will be celebrating every generation of our women at Christ and your extended family as well. We will recognize the Honorary members of the CLW, however this invitation is for all of you. Invite your Mothers, Daughters, Sons, Grandmothers, or other special people in your life. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board at church to help us plan. Brunch will be served and a variety of games played. We plan to have a great time! Please join us for this special event on Saturday, May 17th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5 Memorials Noble Doehrman— Ruth Knoblauch, Janet Hamman Terry Sieger- Christ Lutheran Women Lester Fry— M/M Ralph Scheiwe, M/M David Sargent, M/M Jay Matte, M/M Narvell Havoth, M/M William Gray, & Gayle Doarbans Berdina Roemer—Mr. Conner, CLW, M/M Roger Rekeweg, M/M W. Hoeppner, M/M Gil Hoffman, Judy Graber, Ruth Knoblauch, M/M Richard Zirkelbach, Kevin Brenneke Phyllis Hoeppner— CLW, M/M John Ankenbruck WISER SAINTS SCHEDULE MAY 2014 MAY Wiser Saints will be on Tuesday, May 27th at 12 Noon. Come and enjoy a Potluck with other Seniors. Bring something to share. After lunch we will have our usual Euchre and Dominoes for an afternoon with fellowship and great time! All Seniors are invited to come and join in. At our April Wiser Saints were grateful to have Renee (Nahrwold) Schuller to tell us about the Deaconess Program which she is doing. She mentioned about how much Christ Lutheran Church and Woodburn Lutheran School helped her in choosing to go into this program at the Seminary. May - 2014 Gwen Kammeyer— 632-5200 [email protected] Love has a name. JESUS Love has a place. Our hearts. Love has a story. And it's not finished yet. Official Acts—April 2014 Funerals—Phyllis Hoeppner—4-10-14, Wedding—Hoeppner/Woloszyn Baptism—Elsie Cummins—(Daughter of Chris & Langleigh Cummins) NEEDED! Chairpersons in training are needed for the Lions Dinner Committee, the Funeral Luncheon Committee, and the Kitchen Committee. Also needed will be someone to take the responsibility of laundering the tablecloths. Call Doris Z. for information, 632-5291. CLW News Also needed is a volunteer for Vice President for our Christ Lutheran Women—Please contact Lois Goeglein—493-2710 For our members. Below is a list of Elder’s and family assignments for your records. Ron Weck—(Chair) 419-399-2290 [email protected] (Josh Abbott to Chris Cummins.) Brad Ripke—(Secretary) - 705-7175 [email protected] (Doug Dobson to Miranda Haifley.) Steve Bottoms -(Ushers) - 493-1250—cell-414-7461 [email protected], (Gary Hammond to Tom Keller) Do you believe in the power of prayer??? If you do I invite you to become a prayer warrior. This prayer chain ministry includes members of Christ and Zion and is not limited to women. It began in October 1980 through the efforts of Margaret Knoblauch and Beth Hoeppner. Our united prayers have been a blessing to many and we have been blessed too. Won’t you join us? Call Marian Kuehnert Chairman at 6324692. Tim Gerig—(Youth)- 414-5956 [email protected] (Brian Kitzmiller to Kris McKay) Ron Reichhart—(Council)-402-7773, [email protected] (Gary Messman to Hil Riebersal) Mark Hetrick—(Evangelism)-417-2989, Attention: VBS is coming up soon. [email protected] We need volunteers to lead and a coordinator. (Andrew Riley to Zirkelbach’s) If you would like to and have some questions please contact - Pastor Tim—710-0554 Woodburn Food Bank - Thanks for all the groceries that were brought through the month. It is so good that our congregation can help stock the shelves at the Food Bank! Many people in the Woodburn area really rely on help to feed their families. Again, Patty Shuler, Coordinator, just wants to THANK everyone from Christ Lutheran Church for the outpouring of the love we show. THANK YOU ALL from the Social Welfare Board, God Bless, Sandie Beerbower & Jan Hoeppner Save the Date. We don’t want you to miss this milestone occasion! Plan to help celebrate the 60th anniversary of Woodburn Lutheran School on Sunday, May 18 from 2:00-4:00 Details will be shared as we get closer to this date but please mark your calendar now, share this information freely and plan to be there!! Thanks to our flock for the many prayers, cards, and concerns during Lester’s last several years and Pastor for his regular visits since he has been our shepherd. He was such a blessing for us. Ruth Fry & family Sunday School News May 15th—Last day of Sunday school –Balloon launch Ladies: Save the Date Generation Celebration on Sat., May 17th 9:00 am to 11:00 am Brunch, games, and fellowship More details soon God Bless and a big THANK YOU! To everyone who came over and did yard work. We are so blessed and could not have done it without you; Thanks to: Pastor Tim, Ben Borchelt, Mitchell Warnock, Cole & Cody Osborn, Tori Moore, Isabel Edwards, and Gavin Keller. From—Al & Merilyn Richards VOLUNTEERS WANTED! Church Council met in special session on Thursday March 27th to discuss the formation of a Strategic Plan Committee for our congregation. We have decided to move forward and present this idea along with a timeline for the committee at the May 4th Voter’s meeting. We are currently asking for volunteers to help serve on this committee and have posted a signup sheet on the bulletin board in the Narthex. We encourage ALL age groups to sign up and will spend the entire month of April collecting names of volunteers willing to help. Please prayerfully consider this request as we will need a multitude of help on the committee as well as individual focus groups. It is imperative to have representation from all age groups within our congregation. Woodburn Lutheran School Providing a Christ-Centered Education Principal – David Van Spankeren May, 2014 Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” KIDS AGAINST HUNGER – Our 3rd quarter chapel project was Kids Against Hunger. The students at WLS raised almost $700 to go towards this program that packages meals for hungry children in Indiana, the US, and across the world. We also owe a big thank you to Christ Lutheran Women for donating the remaining $300 to help us reach our goal of $1000. On April 11, at Concordia Lutheran High School, the WLS 6-8 grade students joined 5 Lutheran elementary schools as well as the high school to pack meals. Here are the numbers: Elementary Schools (Morning) = 38,016, High School (Afternoon) = 169,560 Total = 207,576 meals for the hungry!!! What an amazing outpouring of God’s love to those in need. Great job WLS and great job to all Fort Wayne Lutheran schools. 8th Grade Graduation: We have five 8th graders graduating this year. There will be a graduation ceremony on Friday, May 30, at 7:00 PM in the school gym to honor our graduates. A special thank you to Sharon Gerig and Bev Rekeweg for directing our chimes choirs again this school year. We are so thankful to them for volunteering and for their service to the students of WLS. It Isn’t HOT…It’s Cool in the Furnace…Mark your calendars for Friday, May 16, when the WLS students will present the musical, “It’s Cool in the Furnace.” There will be a performance at 9 AM and 7 PM. The 4th-8th grade students will be featured and the PreK-3rd grade students will sing in the choir. We hope to see you on May 16! WLS Association Meeting – Mark your calendars for our annual Association meeting. It will be held in the school gym on Sunday, June 1, beginning at 1:00 PM. OUR LAST DAY OF SCHOOL for this year will be Monday, June 2. The PTL is planning a fun activity day! Watch Paw Prints for more details. WLS is celebrating 60 years! Come join us on Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 pm for a worship service and open house. It will be a wonderful time to share stories of the many blessings WLS has been to so many. It will also give us all the opportunity to thank God together for all He has done for the teachers, school boards, and students of WLS. Praise the Lord for Woodburn Lutheran School! We rely on our many volunteers to help us keep operating costs down. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to assist in keeping the lawns mowed. If you are able to assist us in this way, please call the school office at your convenience. Thank you in advance for your help. 2014-2015 Enrollment Enrollment for the 2014-2015 school year is ongoing! We currently have openings for preschool through 8th grade, however classes are filling up quickly. Call the School office for details and reserve your spot today! 16 15—Father’s Day 9:00am—Hymn Fest w/ communion 8:15am—Bible class 29 –Hymn Fest 10:00am— Worship in the Park 22 30 Newsletter Deadline 23 7:00pm Stephen 6:30pm—Lions 8:15am—Bible class 9:00am—Contemporary Worship w/communion 9 9:00am—Contemporary Worship , WLS –Last Day Chapel @9:00am 2 Monday 8 8:15am—Bible class WLS-Association mtg. @ 6:00pm 1- 8:15am—Bible class 9:00am— Worship w/ communion Special Voter’s mtg. after service—Re: WLS Budget Sunday Wiser Saints Bus Trip—Leaving @ 7:30am 24 .. 17 10 3 Tuesday * Praise team 7:00pm— Worship 25 *Praise Team 7:00pm—Worship w/ communion 18 7:00pm— Worship * Praise team 11 7:00pm— Worship w/ communion * Praise team 4 Wednesday 26 19 7:00pm Strategic meeting 6:00—Finance 7:00—Council 12 6:00—Elder’s 5 Thursday Wedding rehearsal 27 20 13 6 Friday June 2014 Christ Lutheran Church Calendar Marian Kuehnert— 632-4692 — Doris Zirkelbach— 632-5291 Pauline Zirkelbach 632-4632 Prayer Chain: Wedding— Boese/Schiener 28 Youth to Pastor Tim’s 21 14 7 Saturday Christ Lutheran Church Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID 4412 Park St. WOODBURN, IN PERMIT No. 2 PO Box 127 Woodburn, IN. 46797 “Return Service Requested” Christ Lutheran Church Office Hours 9:00—1:00 Monday—Friday Christ Lutheran Church Office...632-4821 Pastor Tim Edwards 710-0554 Michelle Keller, Church Secretary 632-5557 Ron Weck , Head Elder 419-399-2290 Brian Hoeppner, Chairman of Congregation 705-7021 Lois Goeglein , Chairwoman of CLW 493-2710 Tony Girod, School Board Representative 348-4212 Anyone entering the hospital or in an emergency, please call the church office at 632-4821, or Pastor Edwards at 710-0554 christlutheranchurchwoodburn.com
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