Posted on 08/29/2006 1:08:37 PM PDT by NYer
Not to pick a fight, but that is the exact reason that I love "Amazing Grace". But then I'm not Catholic.
The GSPs are highly intelligent and sensitive animals, but VERY energetic! How old is yours? Is he fast? He has beautiful, kind eyes.
But today we have built a beautiful new church (dedicated 1 1/2 years ago) and there are bills to pay.
I'd so much rather be in our old building with our "old" one worship Sundays instead of spending time trying to appeal to the affluent neighborhood where the church now stands.
Right. I was going to say the same thing.
I was treasurer at our ELCA congregation for 1 1/2 years. Nothing but income/expense problems due to our 'new' construction and income not meeting expectations. The finance committee was more interested in refinancing the debt on the church, parsonage and adjoining property (a rental unit) than they were in assisting me on working through our monthly problems. The usual comment was 'oh, Jim can handle it'. Well, I finally resigned in disgust. Now we're with the LCMS and I confine myself to the Evangelism committee and being one of the webmasters at our CTSMemberConnect website. I'm very happy!
Many churches are struggling financially. I can't say that our LCMS church is although they seem to think so. Membership is greater than our ELCA congregation. Worship attendance is good. And we met out budget for this year. Sure, it was a struggle, but when isn't it?
As discouraged as I get, I still have much hope and trust in the Holy Spirit. All we need now is for more of the movers and shakers to realize it is not their gimmicks that will grow our congregation. It is the Holy Spirit and that is what we pray.
Thou art the Bread of Life.
All who come to thee shall not hunger.
All who believe in thee shall not thirst.
Yet none may come to thee unless the Father draw them.
Refrain: And thou shalt raise us up,
And thou shalt raise us up,
And thou shalt raise us up on the last day.
It is just a suggestion...
Could not agree more.
The best of luck to you, but with God's help I'm betting on you! Don't get discouraged. Remember, it is His will that is at work.
"I would like to see more Latin in every Church. At least the Krie Eleison and Agnus Dei; we could all handle that."
The Kyrie Eleison is Greek, not Latin. Our church does the Agnus Dei in Latin.
I stand corrected on the Kyrie Eleison.
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