Pastor's Weekend Update

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The Vote


2/19/2014 by Pastor David Smith
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By reading the Weekend Update this week you are one of the first to hear the results from Sunday’s Congregational vote to leave the RCA and join the PCA.  There were 155 votes and this was the breakdown of how you responded to the Consistory’s recommendation:

  • 140 people agree
  • 7 people disagree
  • 8 people abstained from voting
These results demonstrate to the Consistory that 90% of the congregation is unified in this direction.  This is an overwhelming vote of confidence in the direction we believe God is leading us as a church.  What then are the next steps?
 
First, our hope would be that those that disagreed with the recommendation would continue the conversation with the consistory. 
It is our desire to hear and respect everyone’s thoughts on this matter and to see how we can move forward united in our vision to “Connect with God and community, Renew people by His word and Go where he leads us.”  From the beginning, the Consistory has wanted this conversation and these decisions to be made in a manner that strengthens our ability to live out the mission God has placed on Crete Church.
 
Second, there is much work that needs to be done with both the Presbyterian Church of America and the Reformed Church in America.  The elders need to be interviewed by the PCA for acceptance of our church into that denomination.  A petition to the Illiana-Florida Classis has to be drafted for our request to be released from the RCA.
 
Third, we will have a considerable waiting period.  The Illiana-Florida Classis has up to six months to respond to our request.  During that time they will want to meet with the congregation and take a membership vote.  They will also need to discern what they want to do with our real property.  This is a process the Classis will be taking on for five churches at one time.
 
Finally, you need to know that what does not change is our ministry, and the sharing of the gospel message.  We will continue to work as a church being used by God to transform lives with Jesus.  In fact, we have a couple of exciting things planned for Easter this year that will encourage and enable you to better reach out to those around you who are disconnected from Jesus.  I will be sharing that news in the next couple of weeks.  (Be sure to read the Weekend Update to be the first to know.)
 
Crete Church please continue to pray and work as Paul urged the church in Ephesus:
 
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. “   Ephesians 4:1-6, ESV
 

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