VALLEY VINE Valley Presbyterian Church
November 2016
Volume 61, Number 10 As you know from this fall sermon series, we aim to improve our ministry in seven areas. We hope for Deeper Devotion, Wider Witness, Richer Relationships, Greater Generosity, Stronger Service, Closer Caring, and Purer Praise. We have made strides in each of these areas over the last two years, and there are exciting things coming over the next 12 months.
Dear friends, It is wise to approach the task of planning, especially
ministry planning, with considerable humility. Thomas à Kempis, who wrote the treatise “The Imitation of Christ,” penned these words 500 years ago: “For the resolutions of the just depend rather on the grace of God than on their own wisdom; and in Him they always put their trust, whatever they take in hand. For man proposes, but God disposes; neither is the way of man in his own hands.” This thought still inhabits our language today in shortened form. Man proposes. God disposes. Long before Thomas à Kempis, the author of Proverbs suggested “A man’s heart devises his way; but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) The sovereign influence of God over history’s direction is a cornerstone of our faith and theology—and a warning to all who would make plans independently of God’s purposes. But humility and warning give way to confidence and excitement when our planning lines up with God’s will and way. Then planning Christian ministry becomes a vital and hopeful endeavor centering on discernment and discovery. What is God calling us to do and be together? When his purposes and our plans coincide, get ready, because we will see the Kingdom coming! With this in mind, your pastors, your Session, and your staff have been in planning mode. The result is a new Ministry Plan which focuses on the seven challenges our church faces and our current and coming responses. Now it is your turn! The Ministry Plan is viewable online at vpc.church, and hard copies are also available. Any good plan is a working plan, and your reaction is the key to the future of ministry at VPC. Your prayers, your suggestions, your involvement, and your support are vital. Is anything missing? Out of proportion? Incorrect?
But our staff and Session agree that the central focus over the next three years will be Deeper Devotion and Wider Witness. Deeper Devotion impacts every other area of our life directly. Intimacy with Jesus is the goal and secret of our individual lives and our life together. He is the vine, and we are the branches, and our health and growth depend on our connection to Him. He is the source of our direction, and our power; He provides the truth and love we share with one another and with the world; our life and joy are found in Him. Great disciples make great churches! As a 21st Century American congregation, we face a generational challenge harder than VPC has ever faced before. Our secular society and many of our social practices have displaced the church from the center of our culture. We need a Wider Witness! But thankfully, VPC has the capacity and the people to reach out into our neighborhoods, our town, and our city. Seeing people come to faith and helping them find connection to God’s work and family is the greatest energizing factor in the life of any church. Please read the Ministry Plan, share your ideas, offer your prayers, and find a place or two within the plan to get involved. I am so excited to see what we can do Together for Tomorrow! Yours in faith and hope,
Send responses to Jeannie Wright: jeanniew@vpc.church
Valley Presbyterian Church 6947 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253-5342 Phone: 480-991-6424 Fax: 480-991-6427 Email: church@vpc.church Website: vpc.church