Pastor's Message

by Pastor Bob Dealey

Random Thoughts

One of the things that I have heard over and over again since I have been here is: “Shepherd of the Hill is a congregation that has tremendous potential”. Usually, the very next comment is something like “I don’t understand why we haven’t fulfilled our potential”. I suspect there may be an element of truth to that statement.

With that in mind, here is a comment I heard recently by a speaker: “Our potential is best realized by setting worthwhile goals”. If that is true, then it seems that that comment raises three questions for us:

1. What is our “potential” as God’s people?
2. What is it that we must or can do to “realize our potential”?
3. What are God’s “worthwhile goals” for us?

I invite you to reflect on those three questions and how they relate to your own personal life. I would like to place before you some “worthwhile goals” for you to consider.

Worthwhile Goals to Consider

As you consider the following goals, ask yourself these questions:

1. Is this a “worthwhile goal”--something in which I am willing to invest my time, my effort and my energy?
2. Is this something in which God is calling me to become involved as I seek to “realize God’s potential for me”?
3. How will this goal enrich my life or the lives of those around me?

• Invite people to become involved in a personal Bible study on a regular basis.
• Encourage some of our youth to consider a career in professional church work.
• Attend worship services on a weekly basis.
• Seek to become involved in the ministry of the church in a new way.
• Invite an unchurched friend or acquaintance to attend a church event with you.
• Serve as a volunteer that does church-related community service.
• Organize a group of people to do a “mission project”.
• Visit someone who is hospitalized and/or home-bound.
• Bring a care casserole to someone.
• Send a card or telephone someone who needs to be cheered up.
• Do something that will show others that you love Jesus.

The list could go on, but you get the point. The bottom-line is this: God is calling us to many worthwhile ministries. How will we respond? These are things that you might want to consider. What worthwhile goal will I resolve to do this year?

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You may contact Pastor Dealey at the church, (815) 838-0708 or by e-mail at rtdealey@sbcglobal.net .