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Have you ever asked yourself, “How in the world did I ever end up here in this ‘place’ at this time?”  It could apply to your work setting or a particular situation you find yourself with your family or friends or any number of situations during the course of your life.  Sometimes, it’s a feeling of incredible good fortune, a sense of some really bad luck or just a series of good or bad decisions.  You know what I mean?

As followers of Jesus, we believe that God may have something to do with where we find ourselves at any given time.  On the other hand, we also know that God has given us free will and where we find ourselves may have everything to do with our own choices and very little to do with God.

Most folks readily see life as a journey, whether or not they’re followers of Jesus.  But it applies to us as well.  We are certainly on a journey with God.  Now, there are some who never leave the station, some who leave but have no idea where they’re going, some who know their destination but seem to get lost a lot, some who keep pretty steady on their course with the occasional bumps, jostles or turbulence and others who are a mixture of the above.

We are also on a journey, as High Street Church.  There are “seasons” when we are in rhythm with our church and everything is really clicking and then, for a variety of reasons, we’re not quite “in touch” with what’s going on.  That’s the nature of the journey.  It’s not always the same.  And that’s a blessing.  Otherwise, we might fall asleep and crash into something.  And, we may do that, too!  It’s also an aspect of how we grow and deepen our relationship with Jesus.

The High Street journey has been going on long before any of us were ever around and with God’s blessing of wisdom and through the power of the Holy Spirit, High Street’s journey will go on long past even those of us who were just born (Lincoln Rose?).

In the course of our church’s journey, High Street has done some pretty cool things.  The whole integrated seating thing and at one point, tearing down the building and erecting a totally new structure.  Can you believe that?  I’m sure that the best stories would have to do with how all sorts of people’s lives were transformed by God’s powerful presence.

So, here we are, at a fairly significant cross roads.  The time has come for us to take an important leap into God’s intended future for us by renovating and expanding our facility.  This leap will help us continue to transform lives, transform our community and have a vibrant and compelling future!

In my very first High Notes article (July 2006), I quoted a well-known phrase, “change is inevitable, but transformation is optional.” No one likes change. However, change can lead to transformation and that’s what God is all about! The amazing thing about change is that the areas where we resist the change tend to be the areas in our lives where we most need to grow and be transformed.

Of course in our society, where everything revolves around possessions, it doesn’t take long for us to possess our church. That “possession” can occur over time through the baptisms, weddings and funerals of our family members in “our” church. It just happens. And, in a lot of ways, it’s just human nature. We expend a lot of energy and resources for our church and we feel a certain ownership. That’s not all bad.

However, every now and then, we are reminded that High Street is not our church. High Street is God’s church! Now is one of those times. What a great opportunity for transformation…..for you and me!

God is calling us to make our church, both literally and figuratively, a place where people who weren’t raised in a church feel welcome. And you know what, that’s the majority of our population.

We are “topped out” on the “churched population.” We have reached that plateau. The only way we will fill our sanctuary at a traditional worship service on a Sunday morning is for people from other congregations to come to High Street. That’s robbing Peter to pay Paul. That’s not growth and that’s not making disciples (Matthew 28).

The great thing about our journey as High Street Church right now is that we can still make a difference and have an impact on the future of God’s church. That’s what I call “sweet!”

So consider how you can contribute to this “faith-raising” campaign. Consider how you are planting seeds for future generations of High Streeters. Consider what role you are going to take in the development of the 21st century High Street Church. Consider deep and consider wide. Focus your consideration especially between May 4th and June 8th.

And, most of all, consider how God.....how your personal relationship with Jesus is calling you to be transformed by the renewal of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12: 2).

Thanks for being on the journey with me,

Your pastor,

Cary
 

Rev. E. Cary Simonton
Senior Pastor

Rev. Paul Price
Minister of visitation

Angela Boblitt
Children and Youth Ministries Director

Bruce Gischel
Associate Pastor

Janine Dotson
Office Manager

J. Chris Moore
Organist/Music Director

Carolyn Bode
Choir Accompanist

Michelle Halbirt
Pre-school Caregiver

Larry Cogan,
Custodian

High Street United Methodist Church
230 East High Street
Springfield, OH 45505
937.322.2527
Fax 937.322.1363

Open Hearts     Open Minds     Open Doors

For more information about High Street UMC, email:
info@highstreetumc.com

Webmaster:
denniscarter@highstreetumc.com