The Shepherd's Desk
September 2018
" Change Is Inevitable".
God prepared His people for change in the Old Testament on many occasions, as He prepared them to go into Canaan's land. Trying to get the old Egyptian way of living out of them, and a new way of living inside of them. From the Desert to the Promised Land there were challenges, obstacles and great miracles as well. A whole lot went into God's preparation for promise, and the Hebrew children learned a lot of lessons along the way. Well, we here at Covenant are no different, and after almost 12 years of ministry have had to deal with some not so subtle changes in the last two months. As various leadership retire, move and take up other positions in other ministries. This has led to quite a challenge for us, but God is faithful to His promises. His Word will not fail, and His people will grow and be blest.
Well, we here at CGMF are going through preparation for change, and it has not been very comfortable for many I know. However, it has been essential because of personnel changes in leadership, consolidation of some Shepherd Groups into preparation to become its own local church, etc.. Nevertheless, we press on and we pray for one another as God reveals His Glory in the midst of it all.
Our Neighborhood Shepherd groups in Grand Island and Kearney will now have their own local entity and three churches will be birthed. We believe that proper leadership is in place, and even as they will be going out on their own. Our prayers and fellowship in so many ways will not change. It is after much prayer and necessity our Shepherd Leadership believe this is the best and most fruitful path. I pray that Bill and Mary, Rich and Cassandra, Chris and Beth and the entire CGMF family in that area God's best and blest in this Home Missioning efforts. I trust God will use them all in a mighty way.
We have not replaced our Shepherd Administrative Coordinators Skip and Mary McNeil yet. It will take some time, I have folks in place for leadership in the interim for music, and I am trying to handle Jeff Hughes job as Discipleship Shepherd Leader. I trust God will help us in transition, and with wisdom to work out the details in the days to come.
Campmeeting in October is probably going to change in direction, and time and date. I trust we still can have Bishop Boer of FGRMC with us, as out of necessity we have to make some logistical and practical choices. Later this week I trust to have a conversation with our General Bishop concerning that. Finances, logistics all have a say in all this.
I prayer our Shepherd Groups in North Platte don't feel isolated in the midst of these changes. Their closest fellowship now is with our members in the Lincoln area. Yet, we will give due diligence in encouraging their service. For it was there this ministry was birthed, and my love for those people knows no end.
Well, keep your founding pastor in prayer. Our leadership and one another.
In His Grace,
Founding Pastor, Patrick Vossen
" Change Is Inevitable".
- Let Israel’s salvation come out of Zion! When God changes his people’s circumstances for the better, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will celebrate!
God prepared His people for change in the Old Testament on many occasions, as He prepared them to go into Canaan's land. Trying to get the old Egyptian way of living out of them, and a new way of living inside of them. From the Desert to the Promised Land there were challenges, obstacles and great miracles as well. A whole lot went into God's preparation for promise, and the Hebrew children learned a lot of lessons along the way. Well, we here at Covenant are no different, and after almost 12 years of ministry have had to deal with some not so subtle changes in the last two months. As various leadership retire, move and take up other positions in other ministries. This has led to quite a challenge for us, but God is faithful to His promises. His Word will not fail, and His people will grow and be blest.
Well, we here at CGMF are going through preparation for change, and it has not been very comfortable for many I know. However, it has been essential because of personnel changes in leadership, consolidation of some Shepherd Groups into preparation to become its own local church, etc.. Nevertheless, we press on and we pray for one another as God reveals His Glory in the midst of it all.
Our Neighborhood Shepherd groups in Grand Island and Kearney will now have their own local entity and three churches will be birthed. We believe that proper leadership is in place, and even as they will be going out on their own. Our prayers and fellowship in so many ways will not change. It is after much prayer and necessity our Shepherd Leadership believe this is the best and most fruitful path. I pray that Bill and Mary, Rich and Cassandra, Chris and Beth and the entire CGMF family in that area God's best and blest in this Home Missioning efforts. I trust God will use them all in a mighty way.
We have not replaced our Shepherd Administrative Coordinators Skip and Mary McNeil yet. It will take some time, I have folks in place for leadership in the interim for music, and I am trying to handle Jeff Hughes job as Discipleship Shepherd Leader. I trust God will help us in transition, and with wisdom to work out the details in the days to come.
Campmeeting in October is probably going to change in direction, and time and date. I trust we still can have Bishop Boer of FGRMC with us, as out of necessity we have to make some logistical and practical choices. Later this week I trust to have a conversation with our General Bishop concerning that. Finances, logistics all have a say in all this.
I prayer our Shepherd Groups in North Platte don't feel isolated in the midst of these changes. Their closest fellowship now is with our members in the Lincoln area. Yet, we will give due diligence in encouraging their service. For it was there this ministry was birthed, and my love for those people knows no end.
Well, keep your founding pastor in prayer. Our leadership and one another.
In His Grace,
Founding Pastor, Patrick Vossen
