A Word from Our Pastor
 Churches and Life Cycles
The circle of life is not just about biology. Systems and organizations have them too.  Much study has taken place in churches about this very thing. Much literature has been written about the studies. Yes, churches do have a life cycle too. Yes, First Christian Church also has a life cycle. This is not new information to all of us. We have talked about this in various settings over the last four years.
Last summer I preached a message from Ezekiel 37 entitled, "Can These Bones Live?" which outlined our life cycle since Hurricane Katrina. Ask David for a copy of it to refresh your memory.
Part of the life cycle of churches indicates a place of leveling off. This "plateau" usually occurs after a time of rebirth and redefinition.  After a time of growth, a reality/sense of stability presides, causing the plateau. Upon the plateau, attendance, participation, interest, and energy are stabilized. And here is where FCC is currently. It is not a crisis point; hear me- we are not at a crisis point! Unless, we allow ourselves to sit upon this plateau and let it go unchecked for a time. Neglecting to recognize that we have reached a plateau and reacting to that fact in some way, will eventually result in decline. Decline is the place where FCC was before the storm and after the storm. Remember, living systems do not remain homeostatic, meaning staying the same. Living systems are either growing or dying. That is a biological fact.
 
For the last year we at FCC have been on a plateau. After Katrina, we worked hard to initiate our church's rebirth and redefinition. Several processes carried us to a stage of growth and vitality. Our best year since the storm was 2008 and into the beginning of 2009. Members' spiritual lives were in transformation leading the way to our church transformation. We saw increases in attendance, participation, baptisms, financial giving, and visitors.  Since the summer of 2009 and up to now, we are sitting on a plateau. It will take our diligent efforts to help us to move to that place of growth and vitality again.
 
One of the tools we are utilizing to reinvigorate ourselves is Visioning Meetings. We will meet again July 5 from 6:30-7:30 and once a month for the remainder of 2010. Also, during Sunday services we are going through the book of Acts during the message time. We want to refocus on the core of what it means to be a community of faith. As always we are offering Bible studies to stimulate our personal spiritual growth. Coming in early fall we will again offer Prayer Triplets. We have done this twice with great success. So, plan now to be a part of a Prayer Triplet!! Other opportunities to stimulate our understanding and commitment to our own faith journeys, our church and its ministries are on the horizon as well.
 
What can you do now? First, be part of our Visioning Meetings. Second, plug into a Bible study. Third, participate in an activity of our ministry teams. Fourth, sign up for Prayer Triplets. Fifth, invite friends, family, or neighbors to church. Sixth, be present in worship. Last but not least, cultivate relationships with someone(s) new. 
Serving together joyfully,
 Rev. Susan Lassalle
 
 
Note from the Chair … Perspective
I do not know about you, but I am proud to be an American.  I am proud of my military service and now to be a semi-normal civilian in our great country.  Although I will admit that during my military tenure, I did have issue with civilians.  Trust in your teammate was and is always the standard for the service member.  Suzanne once asked me why I closed my eyes when we kissed and I told her that I hated to see a civilian have a good time.
However, I am also an evolving Christian and perhaps with that perspective I view things perhaps more broadly.  Truth is that beyond our borders Americans are not viewed as we view ourselves.  If you have ever traveled abroad or actually read about global issues, you know what I am talking about. 
We are perceived as arrogant, self-absorbed, slovenly, and have short attention spans just to name a few characteristics.  To a large measure, they are correct.
So where am I going with this?  Perspective Ministry.  You might be asking yourself, "we minister to the community, don't we (?)…look at Mt Olive, look at Greenbrier, look at Clean Up Slidell, look at our Mission Station"!  Surely, these are important, worthwhile and truly moving ministries.  But, if we are doing so well in ministry, then why aren't we continuing to do it, why is it flagging?  I believe it is for the same perception (reality) reasons I listed above.  With the building of the Cornelius Center, we are in it for the long haul…are you ready?
Dr. Joe remarks how when this church first started, they used to saddle up ole Lightnin' to the buckboard and meet at a home to worship and fellowship.  Those pioneers of our church understood, and I am starting to understand better, that church is not a noun; it is not a building, it is not a meeting hall.  Church is a verb, synonymous with Ministry. We cannot be a structure where we meet once a week, hear the music, meet and greet, hear the message, engage in communion; if we do we become a self-licking ice cream cone.  Church IS Ministry; we minister to our collective as a Body of Christ, to be infused with the Spirit, to be empowered, to be emboldened and DO MINISTRY to our brothers and sisters.  When you minister in the name of the Christ, you will find that you will not tire or get bored.
I believe that the event in the Gulf of Mexico is catastrophic for our lifetimes.  Are you ready to minister?  Because they are coming…and soon.  Are you ready to touch someone with the love of Christ in your heart?  I am proud to be an American, but I am enriched to be a Disciple of Christ.  Ministry is Church!  It is a core value, and I submit to you, it is our core imperative. Time to gut it up with the Spirit in your heart and Ready yourself!
In Jesus' name, Herve Lara, Board Chair