Year of Yes
by Rev. Gary Gibson, Senior Pastor
Here we are at the beginning of a new year. I’m not sure where 2016 went; it passed rather quickly. The year held significant events for some, while others had a rather routine year. Some of the significant events happened because people said “yes” to exploring new possibilities, to taking a risk or to taking advantage of opportunities presented or created. On the other hand, it was a routine year for some because they did not explore new possibilities, they did not take a risk, or did not take advantage of opportunities.
St. Paul’s theme for 2017 will be “A Year of Yes,” a year of saying yes to exploring new possibilities, to taking a risk, and to taking advantage of opportunities. It has been said that entrepreneurs excel in something called “opportunity alertness.” We need to live our lives with our senses wide open to opportunities. Sometimes opportunities just present themselves. At other times, opportunities are created because we are willing to take a risk and explore the possibilities.
One of the greatest dangers a congregation faces is “ministry rollover” where you just roll the same ministries done the same way over to the next year. We want to challenge all ministries to avoid simple “ministry rollover” and say yes to “opportunity alertness.” We live in a rapidly changing world and we must be prepared to do ministry in a different world than we have known.
The challenge of saying “yes” is not just for ministry teams, but also for individuals. It is very easy for us to get in a rut when nurturing the spiritual in our lives. We challenge you to explore the possibilities to grow spiritually this year. We also challenge you to say “yes” to taking a risk and being involved in a ministry that makes a difference in someone else’s life.
“A Year of Yes” can be transforming for you personally, for our congregation, and for our community. May we begin by living our lives wide open to the Holy Spirit moving among us. Live your life in such a way that you will be alert to all the opportunities before you.