Change for the Church in the New Year

We think of a new year as a time for change. However, we often discover that about the only thing that changes is our calendar. If we look closely, we will see that there are always some changes that take place at the beginning of a new year.  This year there will be the biggest change for the churches of the Holston Conference that I have ever experienced. We will no longer be given a Fair Share apportionment. In the place of our church being given a dollar amount to pay, we are expected to contribute a tithe or 10% of our income to the conference.  This can be a good thing for our church as we talk about giving a tithe. If we are doing it as a church, we should also be tithing as families and individuals. A focus on this biblical principle can help us all to grow spiritually this year.  During the first two months of the new year, I want us to focus on Barnabas who is one of the men of the New Testament.  His name means ‘son of encouragement’. Our morning messages will focus on his ministry of encouragement. I hope you will plan to attend on January 9 and the following Sundays as we think about his ministry and what it could mean for us as we enter into the new year.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. David Smith

December