Pastor’s Corner
At a recent Ad Council meeting I asked how Delta UMC
was known to the community. Many answers were given,
such as the place where the Girl Scouts meet, the place
on the corner, or the place that has different sales. The
follow-up question was, how do you want Delta UMC to be
known to the community? The answers were different than
before, and ultimately the consensus was that we wanted
to be known as the place where people encounter God,
where God is glorified, people are healed, and people grow
in faith and love in discipleship. I absolutely agree, and
those answers are exciting!
God is calling our church to something more! I am excited
about how God will lead us. It’s because of our shared
excitement that some have expressed concerns about
ordination, and whether I will be moved soon. Truly, I have
barely started the process, and I have five more years to
get it done. I am not in a hurry, as I would like to stay at
Delta. The DS shared that at this time there is no plan to
move me unless I asked to move. I have not. The distance
from family has been a challenge, but God is in it and has
made it work.
Some have pondered why I was appointed to Delta- to
Rome NY, hours away from my family. The reality is I was
appointed here based upon my gifting. The cabinet
prayerfully considers the congregation and determines to
pair it with a pastor that they believe would lead well,
considering their experience, training, skill, and passion for
ministry. As a pastor of the UMC, I made a vow to go
wherever the Conference felt I was needed. I come from a
very large church where I served in full-time ministry for
over twenty-five years. I was part of the team when we
were small, and we grew exponentially. We taught
seminars for church growth and health to other churches,
and my focus in seminary was church renewal. Revival,
and renewal, is on my heart and I love that I am able to be
with you in moving our church into the direction that God
has placed on our hearts together.
One thing I know, from Scripture, experience, training, and
gifting, is that for our church to be strong, healthy, and to
grow- reaching more for Christ, we need to begin with
prayer. We need to seek God’s counsel for what God
wants to do. What is the new ministry or mission- ask God!
How should we move forward- ask God! The more we
pray, listen, and follow God’s leading, the more we will be
in alignment with God’s will. I believe it is God’s will that
our church will become known in the community for God’s
presence, because we are praying! I invite you to pray,
often, for our church, our ministries, and our kingdom
impact. Then listen with expectancy, and follow God’s
lead.
Peace,
Pastor Sherry
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