It's been over a month since my last post. I've been struggling with bronchitis that won't go away, but I think with this third round of antibiotics, it's finally taking care of it. Whew! It's good to feel human again!
It's been an eventful month at Southview. During the month of November, we did a three week focus on Global Missions. We kicked off the series with a guest missionary, Adam Walker, who came and shared with us about the church plant that he is starting in Decatur, GA. Southview will be partnering with Adam and this new church, called Gathering Church, and I'm excited about what God is going to do!
We talked about our new missions offering plan - instead of three 2 week emphases per year, we're expanding to a 52 week a year option for people to give to Global Missions. Money given to this fund will be split - 40% will go to the International Mission Board (Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, for the Southern Baptists among you); 30% will go to the North American Mission Board (Annie Armstrong Easter Offering); 5% will go to the Virginia Baptist Mission Board (Alma Hunt Offering); and 25% will go to Beyond Our Walls, Southview's Missions Ministry. By allowing people to give 52 weeks a year, we expect the total sent to each entity will be more than in the past, and more ministry will be done! We are excited about this and are looking forward to seeing more people come to know Christ as a result.
We celebrated the Lord's Supper together on November 25, remembering what Jesus did for each of us and remembering our commitment to Him and His work.
We approved a new budget for next year of just over $564,000 - that's an increase over last year. We're expecting God to do some new and great things in 2008, and we want to be faithful in supporting His work at Southview.
We completed our Constitution and Bylaws revision process on Sunday, December 2 with a vote approving the proposed revision. After so many years of hard work, the document is complete and approved. Over the next few months, you'll see us beginning to implement this new governing document. I'd like to thank the members of the 2007 team that finished the process - Diane Atkison, Tom Emswiler, Wes Husted, Julie Leatherman, and Jim Reid. Your hard work is greatly appreciated by me and the rest of the congregation. Great job y'all!
Finally, the Living Nativity last weekend was a tremendous success! 1004 guests were counted over the two nights, not counting Southview folks! Join with me in praying that the investment that we made will have eternal impact with people coming to know Christ. So many people saw and heard the gospel proclaimed in a very experiential way, and that's because of your hard work and faithfulness. A special THANK YOU to Debbie Culbertson and her team in leading this project this year - y'all did such a great job coordinating and overseeing such a massive project! I've rarely been as proud of our church as I was watching people give so unselfishly of their time and energy to make this happen - thank you all!
As we prepare for the Christmas season, I am watching God at work in so many ways - He is moving among and through us, and lives are changing. Join with me in praying that God will do something unique and powerful at Southview in the coming weeks, months, and year - I want to see God move as only He can, doing what only He can do, and changing lives for all eternity. Let's pray that together, and be willing and available for whatever He asks us to do.
