Looking back and looking forward

​Generally at this time of year I cheat a bit. I write a piece for our annual report and also use it as my blog. Laziness or efficiency? You be the judge.  But I do find that’s kind of my wave length for the month so it kind of works. I hope it does for you as well!
 
This year I’ve been wondering how I capture the attention of the reader and share with them what God has been doing here at GBC? How do I allow you to see what I see here on a regular basis which to me is the heart of this church?  Here’s what I’ve seen and am seeing here right now.
 
A report where we reflect on the year past speaks really to a New Year unfolding; it can give the image of a new or fresh start, the chance to regroup before pressing on.  But as we close the book on 2016 and look at 2017 my thoughts shift more towards the idea of the continuation of what we’ve achieved and experienced in the past year, rather than seeking to fix anything.
 
How do you know you’re on the right track for a sense of continuation? In any journey you follow a map, GPS or set of instructions. How then do we as GBC know we’re on track? Well, we’d look at the year previous through the lens of our vision:
Our vision is to see God transforming lives.
 
How’ve we done?
 
We balanced our budget for the first time in a while which shows generosity and good stewardship; we had the first baptism of one of the kids coming out of our sponsorship program which shows spiritual growth and commitment, and we’ve had two weddings within our GBC family which shows a growing sense of community.  We reached out to Guelph through the creative outlet of Holy Land Adventure and shared the love of Jesus at another successful Oasis Camp.  These are only a few things that I’ve seen this past year.  I could go on and on with examples but space doesn’t permit.
 
So how are we doing then? From my vantage point I’d say very well.  Do we rest of our laurels? No, we continue to press on and run the race, testing ourselves and seeking the prize which is before us as Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 9.
 
Each week we take communion at our Breaking of the Bread Service (have you been out to it lately?  It really is a great time to quiet yourself and commune with God). This allows us to reflect back on the week we’ve had and be challenged to walk with God in the week to come as we remember the cross and what Jesus did for us.  This in many ways represents a fresh and new start in our relationship with God and is also a reminder of the continuation of that relationship and challenge to let our lights shine too. My hope for this report is that it’s served that function- as a reminder of what God has done but also to give a sense of the continuation of what he’s doing that then challenges us to seek our part in his plan through this place. With that in mind I can’t wait to see what God’s going to do in and through us!