Annual Senior Pastor's Report

Senior Pastor’s Report
First United Methodist Church
Austin, Texas
October 19, 2008

With our actions today we have officers and our Mission and Ministry Plan for the coming year. My thanks to all those who worked so hard to get us to this point, but before we move into 2009, I think it appropriate to think about 2008 and remember at least some of the things that took place here at First United Methodist Church of Austin.

We continued our work at making our life together more effective. New processes were adopted which allowed us to seriously look ahead while continuing to offer the multitude of services, programs, and helping ministries that so characterize our life together. These processes made for more effective planning and budgeting, giving us a handle on how we can indeed “make best use of the resources entrusted to us by God.” The work and dreams of many of you over the last few years continue to mature, and I believe generations after you will reflect back on your efforts and be grateful.

Our “Bridge to the Future” campaign reached its primary goal of committing enough money over the next two years to retire the smaller of our two notes. That means that by 2010 that note will be paid off and hopefully income from our Endowment Fund will be funding the remaining note. There are still two projects needing our attention, those being the replacement of the organ console and the creation of restrooms as a part of the narthex level of the sanctuary. Both of these remain priorities that must be addressed sooner than later, but given the financial situation in which the campaign was carried out, one has to be pleased that our primary goal was addressed. I am grateful to Cyndy Perkins and the other team members who worked to organize this special campaign.

The mission efforts of this congregation continue to amaze me. The people of FUMC are involved in feeding the hungry, repairing houses, teaching English as a second language, helping to build and grow other congregations, and many other such activities. Especially hopeful is the involvement of children and youth in these efforts. Also noteworthy are the efforts of many of you to help to create an ever more welcoming atmosphere for all people who gather here to worship.

This year so far we have seen an increase in worship attendance, the first such increase in several years, this in spite of high prices for gas and a congregation that lives further and further away from our location. Alterations in schedule as well as the addition of the Contemplative Service have created more options for individuals seeking the presence of God. My special thanks to all who work behind the scenes and in front of them to create a space and atmosphere where people’s lives can be nurtured.

We face challenges in the years to come. We have to look at creative ways to offer programs to people who live far from us and have trouble negotiating traffic to attend week night sessions. Already groups are meeting at other locations than 12th and Lavaca--Paula has offered neighborhood classes and Selah has regional small groups-- and I see that trend continuing and growing.

We have to continue to manage our resources so that we can fund our programming and mission as well as maintain a facility that is large and less than new.

We must continue to develop our use of technology. This is not a luxury in today’s world. It is a necessity. Young’s work on the website and Tami’s work on the publications of the Church keep us in touch with each other and serve as the face of this congregation to countless people seeking a place to worship

We must continue to develop new leadership that will guide us in the future. We have been served well by individuals in the past and a part of that service has been the intentional development of new leaders, many of whom are now in place today. That process continuing is vital to our future.

Finally a word about our staff: we are blessed as a congregation and I am blessed as Senior Pastor with a very talented and a very committed staff. These people work day in and day out in many ways seen and unseen to make our life together possible. They are very much like my own family, and I am deeply grateful to them and for them. This year two long time staff members, Robbie Youngblood and Ireta Kelberg retired. Their loving presence is missed greatly by us all.

So now to 2009: if experience is any indicator, it will pass quickly. It will be filled with activities and surprises and disappointments, and in the midst of it all let us pray that we will continue to strive as Paul said, “To be in our mind like Christ Jesus.” That way we can live up to the task that has been given us as his followers.