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I WAS JUST THINKING . . .
Oh no!! Another church council!! I have to sit through reports ad infinitum. No, ad nauseum. That would pretty much have been my reaction for most of my life. I could not abide sitting through church councils in which the board chair, the nurture, witness, and stewards commission gave their reports, as did the deacons, the pastor, the Men’s Fellowship, the Women’s Fellowship, and the Youth Group, and perhaps other assorted folks. If a building project was ongoing, they had a report to give. These reports were the tedium before the terror of business that at times became very, very contentious. Yet, I have changed my mind and outlook on these reports.
Today, I view reports as a time out from the business as usual, the busyness that can invade church life and home life, and a time to look back and celebrate how much has been accomplished. What we have to be proud of in the church, in the home, in our work, is never achieved suddenly. Usually, such progress, as we blink our eyes in amazement at when we hear an inspiring report, was a day by day, sunrise by sunset thing. We have come a long way in building the bridge as we walk across it, and once in a while, looking back is good to see how far we have come.
Take a look at the reports ofthe work of many hands, many hearts, many hours of dedication and frustration and joy. See how high the mountain has been climbed and what wonderful views are now available. Look at how much bridge has been built. Look, friends, at how far the Western Plains District has come in being transformed. Take a few moments this month to look back on transformation. Our churches are not so hopeless. We are a people enjoying one another, bonded with one another despite our distances. We are a people learning to listen for the voice of God, learning to act at the direction of the Holy Spirit . We are a people desiring to know Jesus better and better, and to continue the work of Jesus. We have come thus far, and in words of the hymn, Come, Come Ye Saints, when we see our progress, “hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.” 
We report that, in the seven or so years since Ken and Elsie began the emphasis on transformation, this Western Plains District of the Church of the Brethren, day by day, sunrise by sunset, has worked hard, enjoyed much, learned new hope and new love, been inspired, survived discouragement, and would never want to go back again to where the bridge started. What a report! What a climb up the mountain to the views we now enjoy! What a full heart for what has been built!. Let our arms be strong again, let our hearts be brave as we now stand up and continue to build transformation! If you have not been a part of this transformation, please see me for how you might join it!. If you have been, you will have a full heart! Your efforts have borne fruit. Your work has not been in vain!
“Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord you labor is not in vain.”
(1 Corinthians 15:58 NRSV)
Sonja Griffith, District Executive Minister_
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