Thoughts From Kevin Kessler, District Executive

Following are responses to one of the five questions which were presented at District Conference last fall.

What do you currently see happening that excites you?

1. Growth in inner-city churches;
   
2. Planting new churches;
   
3. Open discussion at district meeting;
   
4. My church is scheduled for deacon training early 2011—excited about that;
   
5. Also, work in Rockford—great!;
   
6. I am very excited about what is happening in Rockford;
   
7. I am excited by what I see happening at Mt. Morris;
   
8. I am excited the LT and NCDT are working together to achieve a common purpose;
   
9. Direction of NCDB re-organization away from a few personal agendas and to be sub-group of LT.

I recently had the opportunity and privilege of attending a pastors’ gathering in the northwest region of our district. The meeting was opened by having each one present share briefly about an accomplishment in ministry that made them proud. I immediately wondered about the outcome of this exercise. We Brethren are a humble, reserved people who find it difficult to let our light shine in such open and brilliant ways. I was very pleased with all I heard. Every participant shared passionately about one or more accomplishments setting a wonderful tone and mood for the remainder of the gathering. I also recently created a document that I entitled “The Dilemma.” I purposed in this document to provide a snapshot of the dilemma we as the Illinois/Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren find ourselves in, both internally and externally. For example, internally I offered statistical information revealing the decline in membership and average worship attendance we have experienced over the past decade. Externally I pointed out that our focus on being a movement to proclaim the love of God, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit to those searching for ways of faith has diminished as we focus more intentionally on how to survive. Writing this piece was not intended to tack criticism upon the church but rather to indicate that this is where we are presently. If we have a low tire on the car it is better to know about it than to drive on it in such a condition and ruin it. I think it is important to know where we are as a church, or a district, so we can initiate efforts to incorporate practices that can help to turn around decline and diminishment. The reason for such initiatives is not just for the sake of turn around but rather for reaching the world with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I read the responses to the question above and listened to a group of pastors speak about proud moments in ministry, I witnessed ministry that is impacting the lives of many with the gospel and bringing about transformation, not just in the lives of people, but in the communities where these people live. I’m convinced that this kind of ministry response will change the direction of the dilemma in which the church finds itself. What’s at stake is not focusing on getting more people to join us. Rather, at stake is touching more lives with the gospel. Hugh Halter and Matt Smay in their book The Tangible Kingdom state, “Influence doesn’t happen by extracting ourselves from the world for the sake of our values, but by bringing our values into the culture.” As the church reaches out with our influential values, the potential increases for others to become involved. Growth is organic. We plant and water—touching lives; it is God who produces the growth.

What ministry are you involved in doing or part of that makes you proud, that you are passionate about? What ministry would excite you in which you could be involved? How might you offer your values to the culture around you to bring about transformation in the lives of people and your community? As ministry in these ways becomes our primary focus, the church, I believe, will rebound with renewed health and vitality, with increase and abundance, from the generosity and grace of God.