Glen Avon Presbyterian Church

“What Are They Up To?”

Revs. Robyn and Lon Weaver

What are they up to? It's a question that different people have asked about the Mission Discernment Team, MDT, for short. (Click HERE for more information.) Interestingly, the MDT has been communicating with the congregation regularly through the monthly newsletter and weekly worship bulletin. In fact, there is a statement about what the MDT which has been published in every Sunday bulletin from August 5th to the present. But more than this, there are three general things which we want to emphasize and five particular things which we think you should know.

The three general facts you should know are these:

1. The Mission Discernment process plans to take nothing away from our present ministry;

2. Anything proposed by the MDT is intended to improve our present ministry, that is, to make us more faithful as a congregation; and

3. Anything proposed by the MDT must be approved by Session which appointed it.

The five particular facts you should know are these:

1. The MDT meets every other Monday at 7:00 AM at Bixby's;

2. The Sunday evening worship service is a product of its work, and it continues to monitor its work (click HERE for information on the Sunday evening worship service);

3. The L.I.F.E. Group organizational model is a product of its work--7 groups are to be established in October, 10 more may be ready to go in November, and 17 new ideas are being discussed (click HERE for information on L.I.F.E. Groups);

4. The MDT has been collecting demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that will help us better target future ministries; and

5. Members of the MDT (click HERE to see who they are) are ALWAYS open to your questions (this is not a closed club or secret organization).

In John 14, Jesus says these words:

"'Peace I leave: my peace I give to you...

Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.'" (14:27)

It is our hope that these comments will fuel excitement about the future, while putting your hearts and minds at ease.