Pastor Paul's February Message

Dear Members & Friends,

In 2011 we achieved a milestone with respect to Bethlehem Lutheran Church worship attendance.  Taking into consideration all of our worship experiences for the entire year we have officially doubled from 15 years ago.  In 1996, our average worship attendance was only 48.  In 2011, our average worship attendance was 96.  The question is why?  Why has Bethlehem doubled over a period of time when most churches have seen a steady decline?  Why are we growing?

FOCUS ON CHILDREN / YOUNG PEOPLE

We are extremely fortunate to have a vibrant ministry of education.  Our school has a growing enrollment and we are blessed to have an administration that is connected to our church.  LES not only is a great place for our students to learn, grow and receive the Good News, but it is also a great feeder for our Sunday School.  Our Sunday School continues to grow and this is largely due to LES students worshipping with us on Sunday.  It is sad, but Bethlehem is one of the few churches with an active Sunday School and this is certainly a reason for church growth.

Bethlehem has three youth groups meeting monthly.  Our Pre High School group, High School group and Young Adult group all provide a social connection for our young people and it provides opportunities for our young people to be involved in ministry.  Yes, the friendships are critical, but it is also great for our kids to sing for the shut-ins at Christmastime or attend a work day at Koinonia or assist in a special program for worship.

Bethlehem cares and loves our children and our young people.  We minister to them and are involved in ministry with them.

ACTIVE IN MINISTRY IN  OUR COMMUNITY

We are "Doers".  Our physical complex is busy 7 days a week.  We have never been content to only worship.  Our school is full of life Monday to Friday.  Our senior center is serving the dietary and social needs of the seniors of our community Monday to Friday.  We prepare and deliver over 450 "Meals on Wheels" five days a week.  Our food pantry provides packaged goods and canned goods.  Our brown bag lunch program provides a healthy lunch to those in need.  Our Healing Center is growing and serving more clients than ever, as we care for those negatively impacted by family violence.  We realize that our Lord Jesus Christ has called us to be his presence in this world and to serve him faithfully.  This is what we are doing every day.

GIVING CHURCH

Some people shake their head in disbelief when I tell them that Bethlehem gives away 14% of our income to support other ministries.  This is more than the biblical tithe of 10%.  In 2011, our mission giving was $77,000.  Are we insane?  What about worrying about our future?  What about worrying about our rental properties?  What if our income dries up?  Why aren't we stashing money away to ensure our survival?  I truly believe God wants us to give with abundance.  We have been blessed in so many ways and we need to support those vital ministries outside of the four walls of our church.  Our success is not dependent on how much we save.  Our success is directly related to how much we give.

DO THE RIGHT THING

Bethlehem consistently makes the right choices.  Three years ago we voted to embrace the Healing Center to lead the fight against domestic violence.  Most churches don't want to address this topic.  Most churches want to keep this issue at arms length.  They might give money to help.  They might lend an empathetic ear.  But, not Bethlehem.  What did we do?  We told the Healing Center to come to Bethlehem!  For the last three years we have supported this ministry with our benevolences.  We have supplied the office and meeting space at no charge.  We pay the utility costs.  We supply the spiritual guidance for the board of directors.  We have embraced this ministry and have taken the bold stand that most churches are not willing to do.  We did the right thing.

Last year we became a "Reconciling in Christ" congregation.  We are still the only Lutheran church in Southwest Brooklyn to officially make this decision.  We declared that "People of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome within the membership of this congregation and are encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this Christian family."  This decision was passed unanimously by our church council.  What an incredible "Welcoming" decision.  Once again, we did the right thing. 

TRADITIONAL LUTHERAN WORSHIP

In a day and age when more churches are changing their worship style to be more contemporary, Bethlehem has remained traditional in our worship.  We still sing familiar hymns accompanied by a beautiful pipe organ.  We have a vibrant choir and we use the service straight from the Lutheran hymnal.  I can't tell you how many people have told me that it is so meaningful to worship in a traditional way.  On Christmas Eve we still sing "Silent Night" with the lights off and the candles glowing.  On Easter morning we celebrate with trumpet and organ triumphantly proclaiming the empty tomb.  Our worship proclaims our love for our savior in a beautiful familiar way and it provides the spiritual nourishment we all need.

WE ARE A FAMILY

Bethlehem functions as a unified family.  Yes, as Christians we are all taught to love each other, but Bethlehem is special.  We actually like each other.  As a pastor I am so fortunate to serve a congregation where I don't spend my time mediating arguments or mending hard feelings.  We care when someone is hurting.  We want to help when someone is in need.  We rejoice when someone is celebrating.  We laugh with each other.  We enjoy one another's company.  It is fun to be a Christian in Bethlehem's family.  Bethlehem is a happy place, even when life is challenging.

PASTOR HAS ANOTHER JOB

This might seem strange, but I believe it is beneficial that I have another job.  Working as an Information Technology manager helps me relate to the people that walk through the doors of our church.  I am not this set apart "religious" man.  I am a Christian who struggles with the challenges of the work place.  I am subjected to the stresses of business, the pressures of management, the draining daily grind.  My life is not confined to the safety of life within the Christian community.  I see the same things you see.  Hopefully, my exposure to the "real world" enables me to provide meaningful messages to help those who join us in worship and those requesting my spiritual guidance.

In conclusion, why are we growing?  The information above provides some insight, but above all, we are growing because our focus is on truly serving our risen Lord.  We don't get sidetracked with quarreling.  We don't accentuate unimportant things.  We keep our focus on Jesus and we put all of our energy into being his presence in the world.  If we keep doing this well, Bethlehem will continue grow, and grow, and grow.

I am truly fortunate to be your pastor.

         In His Service,