Again, on behalf of the guiding coalition seeking to improve our process of discipleship, I want to say thanks for your willingness to humbly examine yourself to see if Christ is in you. The results of the exam give us a clearer picture of our current discipleship culture and will be beneficial as we address areas of concern.
Exam Results from August 17
Exams handed out – 130 women Returned – 88 with 114 choices (24 circled two)
Most doubled response: busy and lonely
Exams handed out – 120 men Returned – 64 with 87 choices (23 circled two)
Most doubled response: blessed and busy
Women Men Total
Scenario #1 I’m Blessed…To Bless 20 12 32 16%
Scenario #2 I’m So Busy…Rest 31 16 47 23.5%
Scenario #3 I’m Lonely…But Open 13 8 20 10%
Scenario #4 I’m Content…For Now 20 26 46 23.5%
Scenario #5 I Desire More…Help 12 10 22 11.5%
Scenario #6 Let’s Return to Past… 10 11 21 10.5%
Scenario #7 Other 6 4 10 5%
The Bible is very clear that God’s offer of salvation is far more than a self-help or lifestyle improvement program; it’s an offer to abandon self and our conformity to the patterns of this world in order to radically follow Christ in mission together. Do our results affirm this truth?
My prayer is that you spend some time reflecting on the current exam results. (If you desire to refresh your memory of the scenarios, copies are available on the table in the narthex). What do they tell us? What should we do in response to these results?
And then, the Consistory, the staff, and the guiding coalition would love for everyone, 9th grade and older to join our Engage Congregation Workshop on Tuesday evening September 16. In addition to briefly reflecting on these results, we would like to hear your voice in regards to where you feel God is calling ARC to engage the Transformed and Transforming initiatives at a deeper level.
I am so excited about God’s call on our lives to bear fruit—fruit that will last. May we respond with humility, seeking to remain in the Vine as he remains in us.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ,
Mike Altena