Reflecting on 5 years

Sunday I celebrated 5 years of ministry at PBCC. While the church celebrated by giving me a "Card Shower", I began reflecting on the past 5 years.

There have been some great victories; in our first year we raised $52,000 above our regular giving for some much needed projects - If you are a member of PBCC; what did we do before added the foyer? A new stage was added and we remodeled the chapel. While it was painful to see the pews go, we now have a great multi- purpose room to accommodate small groups of 80 are less. While the physical plant was improved, that paled in comparison to what happened early in our ministry as Knofel Staton spent a weekend teaching us the value and power of prayer in the local congregation. Little did I realize at the time how valuable this workshop would be to me personally in 2006!

There have been some losses as well; while we have seen many people join our church over the last 5 years (240 to date), we have also seen people leave our fellowship as well. Some left to go back home (Because, if you live in Florida, you are probably from someplace else!), or because of a job opportunity. Some went to their eternal home and we long for a reunion with these dear saints. Still others left because of personal preferences of worship or philosophy of ministry. Each departure breaks my heart and I agonize deeply when anyone leaves.

Yet I can honestly say there have been more wins than losses and over the next few days I will share a few more of our victories.