Dear Friend:

I remember an old story told about a preacher standing in the pulpit on his first Sunday at his new congregation.  In his comments he said, "It is my goal to bring this congregation into the 19th century."  Someone from the congregation retorted, "Pastor, don't you mean the 21st century?"  The pastor replied back, "We'll just take it a century at a time!"

Change is.  At least, this is what I have heard and experienced over the course of my lifetime and career in ministry.  Change has come, and it has come without my input, my permission, or consent.  Most of it I have welcomed and embraced.  I have had some questions about other developments, however, mostly to the effect of being able to embrace them and to make them work.

The winds of change are breaking across the church landscape. People are now looking for more than just plain going to church on Sunday. If the pundits are correct, and I think they are, they tell us that people are looking not just to hear about God, but that they want to experience his presence in their life. They are looking for people who are genuine in their love for God - these are the kind they want to be around. This means that those of us in church can't afford to "play church" anymore. We have to work hard at being the real deal.

We are trying to change our ways here at Central - to be fully in the 21st century. We want to reach people for Jesus. We want to reach you with the love of Christ that is in our hearts. We hope you will give us that chance by coming to visit with us sometime in the near future.

In the meantime, may God bless you richly,
Bud Gordon