Celebrating God's Faithfulness

Greetings and Happy New Year!!

                Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Bridgeway.   At the outset of every New Year, we begin to ask the question, “What might God have in store for Bridgeway and the communities that God has given us the privilege to impact in 2016?”  But…before we ask that question, it’s important that we pause and give glory to God for what He has done!

                Without a doubt this has been an intense year of ministry.  We’ve grown in some extremely exciting ways and felt the shifts and strains of that growth.  We’ve been pushed in some areas.  We’ve watched as some of our systems have broken down or needed tweaked in response to our growth.  We’ve developed new systems to meet the challenges of growth in some areas.  However, in all areas God has been faithful and you’ve weathered the changes with grace and perseverance.  I thank God for that and for you.

                Has it been a bit disorienting at times?  Has it been stressful at times?  Have there been moments when we’ve wanted to cry out, “Ummm, God I’m just getting used to the last change could you give me a moment before you change something else?”  Sure on all accounts.  There are seasons of ministry when staying in step with God’s Spirit and dependence on His sufficient Grace is a day by day, moment by moment necessity.  God is leading us through that kind of season! 

Think about what’s taken place in this last year…By the grace of God…

1.       We’ve added staff and move part-time staff to full-time status.

2.       We’ve changed our scheduling process church-wide to Planning Center.

3.       God has blessed us with nearly 50 baptisms.

4.       We’ve added a Saturday Night Service that weekly reaches about 100 people.

5.       We’ve added another campus in Marquette Heights, as a team of people gave countless hours to renovation at the same time sending dozens from the Pekin Campus to M.H.

6.       Watched as God has enabled an increase in giving.

7.       We’ve started a Backpack Program that now reaches over 200 kids weekly at Wilson School.

8.       We’ve set the foundation for Celebrate Recovery which will launch in 1 month.

9.       God’s empowered and raised up new leaders in every area of ministry.

10.   Witnessed many saved and lives changed.

11.   Changed our formatting in both Youth and Children’s ministry.

12.   Validated the call to ministry of nearly a dozen people.

13.   Celebrated a number of people gathering at the Pekin Campus every morning at 5:30am for prayer since October.

14.   Launched a Church-wide App. 

15.   And…(I’m sure you could add a few there.)

                To God be all the glory!  There are churches that would love to see any 1 or 2 of these in a given year.   For some reason, according to God’s wisdom and grace, He has entrusted us with this and for that I am both overwhelmed and thankful.  You’ve been a huge part of all that God has done in this place!

                With all that has taken place, there are some key elements that we must be attentive to.

1.       Unity – We must guard against anything that could creep in and challenge the unity of Bridgeway.  The Devil loves to look for any fissures or cracks that he can slide in and disrupt things.  We won’t always agree on every detail of change, however, if the Kingdom of God is driving our changes then, in prayer, we can learn to respect one another in the process and maintain the unity of Spirit, mission and vision of Bridgeway.

2.       Communicate, Communicate, Overcommunicate – Anytime we are on the kind of journey that BW is on, we much be intentional in communication.  We can’t assume that everyone knows what we are doing or why we are doing it.  This requires work from all of us.  Don’t allow any unvoiced or unexpressed concerns to become issues that create bitterness or doubt in your Spirit.  Communicate, ask, reach out to leaders and staff in your area of ministry.

3.       Prayer is Priority!! – People have asked me how long we will keep up this prayer at 5:30 in the morning.  Honestly, I have no idea, but I know we are nowhere close to it being over.  We regularly have 5 to 10 people each morning and I believe more will come. Prayer is the way in which we continually reorient ourselves to God’s direction and timing for all of life and ministry.

4.       People are the Priority – The programs, the campuses, the ministries we start are never the priority.  People are!  We must ensure that in our busyness and excitement about “doing new stuff” we don’t miss the people that we can affect with the gospel, people that need encouragement, people that need a friend. 

5.       Selflessness is a Priority – We must remember this is bigger than any one of us and requires all of us to come under the authority of God and the Scriptures, ensuring our hearts represent the humble call of servanthood. 

6.       Spiritual Growth is a Priority – We mustn’t ever become a 100 miles wide as a congregation and a half inch deep.  We will work to deepen our commitment to Christ, understand the call of God to be the Holy people of God, and strengthen our commitment to those practices that deepen our relationship with God. 

7.       Hugs and Laughter are a Priority – Huh?  This is huge.  We mustn’t ever take ourselves so seriously that we forget to laugh together, hug one another, and just enjoy sharing life with those we minister alongside.

                I am truly amazed to think about all that God might have in store for those communities that BW finds itself.  You are an integral part of that!  Please know that you are loved and appreciated.  As a staff we ask that you bear with us at times.  Much of this is new terrain for all of us.  We are seeking God, learning what we can from who we can, and trying to ensure our hearts are always in the right place.  If we mess up, please forgive us.  If you see us struggling, be a problem solver and not a problem spotter.  Love us as we love you in this journey. 

                On February 6^th and 7^th, I will again (one year from the last time we did this) stand before Bridgeway and not only celebrate what God has done but dream about what God is yet to do.  As I do that I want you to know that I am celebrating the faithfulness of God, your faithfulness, and renewing my commitment to you as your Pastor.

·         I renew my commitment to seeking the Kingdom of God first.  I ask God daily to orient me to things that concern Him and not my own agendas.

·         I renew my commitment to be your shepherd.  I am not a CEO.  I’m a pastor.  I love you and consider it a privilege and honor to walk alongside of you through the joys and struggles of your daily lives.

·         I renew my commitment to growing and learning.  I definitely don’t have all the answers.  I am trying to learn what I don’t know from people who know far more than I do. 

·         I renew my commitment to guard my heart.  I want nothing more than to be a faithful witness to God’s Kingdom.  I ask God to protect me from temptations and evil, lest I get lazy and stumble.  I ask you to pray for me as well.

God is up to something amazing here at Bridgeway.  I can’t believe I get to be a part of this.  I celebrate that each and every day.   Know that Angie and I love you.  We care about you and look forward to more years of God’s faithfulness still ahead. 

Your Pastor,

Jeff Stark