Final Thoughts
I do wish that it had been possible for each of you to take advantage of our camp meeting just ended. I believe that if you to ask the folks there that the consensus would be that it was the best camp meeting we have enjoyed for many years. For that we can only give God the glory. We did not have any “big guns” as speakers. But, when we are nothing in our own eyes, then God can step in and do something for us which is very special.
Saturday evening, our final meeting, our conference president, Elder Ed Barnett, shared with us four dreams, visions, goals (call them what you wish) for our conference in the coming year. These included the following:
Faith comes through a study of God’s Word. Therefore, during 2011 we are going to put for an effort to get every member to read his or her
Bible through. There are many Bible reading programs available. Whatever schedule a person chooses is fine.
Throughout the conference only 50% of our members are returning a faithful tithe. If this figure is correct, then half of our members are planning on spending eternity with a God they are robbing. (My personal testimony is that there is nothing I do which helps to grow my trust more than does God’s program of returning His tithe first.)
The conference wants to continue to push and promote our young people. To this end the conference has added a new youth director to its staff. Churches throughout the conference are encouraged to participate in the “MADE in Minnesota” program.” This is a conference-wide thrust to support our Adventist schools. Along with this will be the “School Works” workshop September 11-12.
We will put forth a concerted drive to increase our conference membership to 9000 by camp meeting of 2012. This will included an organized, deliberate lay-training program throughout the conference.
---------------
Connie and I want to thank you for the opportunity you have given to us to be blessed by your graciousness during the past six months. We will long remember your love and friendship. Remember, it’s not by our strength or ability. It’s not by our power or anything we can do. It is only through the power of His Holy Spirit that our church can successfully go forward.
By Pastor Sherman McCormick
|
Download the 
Listen to "