Steve Makofka, pastor of the Grace Brethren Church of Centerville, Ohio, posts a very interesting blog. Here is an excerpt of a few of his reflections on the year past and a good word for us all as we face the New Year.
I’m preaching tomorrow from II Corinthians 5:1-5. It’s the first of a series called “Life as We Know It.” It talks about the groaning we do in this life and the longing we have for the life to come. In this world we live with the expectation that life will be overwhelmed by death.
In the world to come, death is swallowed up by life. God has prepared us for this purpose. His Spirit dwelling within us the guarantee, if you will, of better things to come.
Tomorrow I will tell my church family that I believe 2005 was the best year in ministry that I have ever experienced. It started with some fear and trepidation because it’s the sixth year I’ve been here and I’ve never been at any one church for six years before. I usually self-destruct or burn out before that. By God’s grace that hasn’t happened.
2005 was the year I became a grandfather. God answered my prayers, rescued my daughter from a road of destruction, renewed her spiritual fervor, and blessed me with an absolutely adorable grandchild in the process. Our local church provided me with a shining example of how good church can be when they truly love God and love each other. What Centerville GBC did in 2005 is now one of my all-time favorite church stories.
2005 was the year we changed the church constitution and implemented a governing structure involving multiple elders and approved deacons. The nine men holding these positions are wonderfully diverse, spiritually mature and individually gifted to serve. I look forward to pouring my life into theirs and seeing what God will do in my life through their ministries.
2005 was the year that land development surrounded the church. On Friday we deposited a large sum of money into the church’s bank account as a result of a fortuitous land sale, land swap and mutally beneficial arrangements with the developer. God has brought it all to pass and has positioned us well to embrace the future.
Well, I’ve unmuted the TV and the ball should start its descent in about three minutes. But there is One who has promised to descend to earth and who will, with His descent, usher in not just a New Year, but a new world. Maranatha.
