By Greg Yee, Superintendent, PacNWC
New Years greetings to you as you usher in 2019. It was wonderful to be back with both sides of our family over Christmas. The sun break was welcomed, but time with family was extra special. Over the years one of the highlights of the holidays has always been with my mom’s side that included her 4 siblings, their children and now 27 grandkids. It’s always a time of hearty reunion and celebration. It certainly was true again this year. As I pray about 2019 for the Conference, I think of this – how strange would it have been if I walked into this year’s family party with a new girlfriend?! How absurd would it be if I went through the evening as if nothing was wrong, equally interacting with my wife of 28 years and the other? Scandalous!
For our 76 churches and over 13,000 Sunday attendees, there is one thing I want to call us to in the new year – faithfulness.
As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. (Gal 6:14 NLT)
My prayer is that you and I, through our churches, and together as mission partners, would have this kind of clarity and focus. I ask myself and I ask you, is Jesus your core and your passion? Has the world’s expectations, status, styles, upgrades, schedules comfort…taken over your soul? May it never be! May our interest in the world be crucified!
May we not be lukewarm
May we live and serve with undivided hearts
May we not dumb down church/discipleship or allow it to be shaped by our self interests or fear.
May we worship God with nothing less than all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
May everything, every choice, every pathway, every pursuit, and every investment flow out of the reality of Christ.
May we fully surrender our lives to Jesus and walk in faithfulness!.
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (Eph 4:21-24).
Wherever God has you, I trust you will continue to experience the hope, peace, love, and joy of Emanuel. God is right here. I pray that your choices will allow space for your affections to warm and your commitment to Jesus deepen. I stand in hope that passions increase for the ways of God to show through small and tectonic movements of renewal and redemption. I join in singing with all those who gave voice in the quiet of their hearts and in the volume of grand choirs,
Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. (Psalm 96:1-3 NLT)
May the God of the new, as we start this new year, breathe his Spirit of life into you and your church today! On behalf of the Conference staff, Happy New Year!