Can’t wait for Sunday! It’s going to be a blast. I’ve talked with a lot of people that are excited about the day. ONE Sunday is definitely going to be a unique, challenging, and inspiring Sunday. Be sure and make plans to stay for lunch. You don’t want to miss it at all. I’ve included a copy of the “placemat” for Sunday (you can click here to see it). As you preview the document, you will see how the proposed Mission, Vision, and Plan work. It’s a great graphic overview. Here are the proposed Ministry Goals: 

Ministry Goals for 2010-2012 

1. Effective Evangelism and Discipleship – “To encourage, equip, and engage in the sharing of the gospel and the discipleship of believers.” 
2. Effective Ministry – “To create, implement, and maintain meaningful ministry for engaging the spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental well being of our community.” 
3. Effective Involvement – “To increase the overall ministry participation on both campuses.” 
4. Effective Structure – “To develop, implement, and maintain appropriate organizational structures for effective ministry.” 
5. Effective Facilities – “To develop and implement a strategy for best use and future development of campus physical plants.” 

You will hear much about the word effective over the weekend due to a new evaluation strategy proposal. Our goal is to establish expectations by incorporating at least one of five evaluation tools for everything we do as a church family. It allows us an opportunity to honesty critique programs, ministry, and ongoing concerns. The implementation of an evaluation process will afford us the opportunity to move from good to great in our efforts and ministry. 

On this graphic, you’ll notice a C, G, and S in the upper left hand corner. These icons represent the three components to our proposed Mission Statement. All of our activities, programs, ministry, and efforts will be labeled with an icon for either Connect, Grow, or Serve. This will help us to make sure that what we do as a church family falls within the focus of our Mission Statement. It will help us continually keep our mission before us. It will help us to make sure our ministry is balanced. 

Why these five goals? These five goals represent doing the basics well. While we leave much room for creativity in ministry, we must do the basics well. We can always attract a crowd, but we must offer substance and value to keep the crowd. We must offer depth, relevance, and meaning.Can’t wait for Sunday!

The second essential component of our Strategic Plan is a proposed revised vision statement. What is a vision statement? It is a phrase stating what an organization wants to become or where they’re going – it is our direction. Our proposed vision statement: 

“Living the Gospel to transform our community”

As you read through this statement there are two significant parts creating the whole. “Living the Gospel” sets the direction for a congregation not only to be a people of words, but a people of action. Those outside the church are watching those who claim to be a part of the church. Our cultural context calls for Christians who will live the gospel – in transparency, authenticity, and in relevance. People need to see that the stuff we talk about is real. They need to know that real life change is possible. 

“To transform our community” is the second part of this statement. Our vision is to make a difference in both our local and extended communities. As we live a dynamic and real faith, our goal is to work in transforming our community for Christ. We desire to see the population of the Greater Baytown area in a real and authentic relationship with Christ while serving Him.

This is our vision - to live for Him and to make a difference where He's planted us. 

I’m really proud of the Memorial family! You all did a fantastic job last week with Judgement House. It took nearly 200 volunteers over four nights to make Judgement House fly – it not only flew, but soared! Nearly 250 recorded decisions (246 to be exact) were made as a result of the presentation. How incredible is that! God is definitely good! I saw people at both the North and Sterling Campuses on Sunday that had been guests during Judgement House and consequently decided to visit one of our services. This was incredibly encouraging and great to see. I’m thankful for so many that made a contribution of their time to make Judgement House such a success. And of course, we can’t forget the One who made all the difference. All the honor and glory goes to Christ. It was evident the Spirit was moving each night.

Every organization (including a church) needs a mission. This mission should be written, concise, and understood. The mission statement defines what an organization is all about. Who are we? What do we do? How can you articulate this in an easily remembered and articulable phrase? The idea is to create a statement that is clear and specific to the oganization. The mission should live in our heart, be on the tip of our tongue, and lived out in our walk. This statement should not have to be deferred to a written document for later reference, but should be communicated without hesitation. So here’s the proposed Mission Statement for Memorial Baptist Church:

 “Connecting with God and people through authentic community, growing in understanding and personal application of biblical principles for life, and serving people by meeting needs through one’s unique ability”

While that’s a mouthful and perhaps most will not place this entire statement to memory, Here’s the shorter more concise version: 

 “Connect, Grow, and Serve” 

That’s it! It takes just three words to describe our mission. How easy is that? Our mission as Memorial Baptist Church is to Connect, Grow, and Serve. This is what Memorial is about.

Thought I’d share this with you. I know my posts have been somewhat “video heavy” the past couple of weeks, but Mike Harvey sent this to me (and a couple of others) and I thought it good to pass along. This was the first time I’d seen this video. Be sure and watch the whole thing through. You might be tempted to cut it off early, but don’t. You’ll miss the best part – trust me on this.  Merry Christmas!

Judgement House is off to a great start. We were booked full with reservations and had a host of walk-ins too. I think the lights were finally turned off around 11:30pm. Our cast, crew, and volunteers are to be commended for a fabulous first night. I’m proud (in a good way) of the Memorial Family. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights are showing to be much the same for group reservations. 

A quick tally of decision cards indicated 33 decisions for Christ (salvations) and 41 rededications. What a great night! Thank you, Lord! Continue to pray for Judgement House and for night two this evening. Pray for strength and health for the cast, crew, and volunteers. Pray also for the several hundred people that will walk through the progressive drama tonight. 

Can’t wait for tonight!

As we chart a course for the next 36 months, the word "re-think" comes to mind. We need to re-think what we do, when we do it, how we do it, and where we do it as both individual Christians and the corporate body called the church. I think we’re both challenged and called to re-think church. Are we going to live authentic and real Christian lives? Are we going to impact our community for Christ? Are we going to influence our culture with the Gospel? If we are, we need to re-think. This is what ONE Sunday is all about. It’s a moment when the church comes together to re-think its strategy, purpose, and future. I hope you’ll be at ONE Sunday, November 8. It’s a must attend service at 10:00am. Stay for lunch, too. It’s the start of something great!

Jesus teaches us the value of getting alone with the Father. On occasion, we find the crowds demanding a piece of Jesus. There’s so much to do, so many people to attend, and so much to teach. Yet, early in the morning, Jesus escapes to the quite mountainside – alone, undisturbed, and uninterrupted. We find Him praying to His Father. It is in this solace that life is reoriented and purpose renewed. The disciples want Him to return to the crowd, but Jesus knew He needed to move towards the next town. How long has it been since you’ve gotten away to be alone with God? Are you hurried, anxious, too busy, and restless. It’s time to escape. Find a still and quiet place to check out of your routine to check in with God. These quiet times help us refine and redefine purpose and priorities. He’s waiting for you in the stillness and solitude.

The sweetest moments are those God moments; it is the realization that at this instant or juncture in time it’s just God and me – the two of us. All other distractions are silenced. The door is shut, the television is off, and the phone is on mute. These are quiet moments to read God’s word and listen to Him speak from the pages of His story. I love to ponder, think through, and meditate on His written word. He searches and impresses my heart. My imagination runs wild with God thoughts. There is something thrilling, consuming, captivating, and even compelling about these moments. I wonder why I’ve taken so long to get here. It’s like a retreat – away and out of the draining race of life. It is a respite, a quite and hidden place reserved for God and me. I want to steal more time away from life’s routine to have God moments like these. What can I rid or release myself from in order to have more God moments? 

I learn much in this quiet place. I know to be still, to listen, to watch, and reflect. There are lessons for today and a few for tomorrow. There is always something for me here in these God moments. Tonight I’m reading in Mark 13. I’m eavesdropping on a conversation between Jesus with Peter, James, John, and Andrew. He is painting a picture of the future – one of struggles, challenges, and glory. Their lives will bear witness for the sake of Christ. These men will stand before governors and kings and tell the gospel. They will make the most of every opportunity to tell the story; led by the Spirit word for word. 

At this moment I sense the need to make the most of every opportunity to tell the God story. It’s a subtle reminder not necessarily in keeping with the major theme of this story, but none the less, I’m encouraged to be a better steward of life’s moments to share about Jesus and what He’s done for me.

Since we’ve been talking about Living Like Jesus these past weeks. I thought this short video to be very applicable – especially to our discussion on obedience. Our desire should be to live like the one we follow. A life of obedience isn’t easy, but it was never intended to be. Live an extraordinary life – Live Like Jesus. I found this video to be a good encouragement to live as we’ve been called to live. 

Dear, 

I am writing to invite you to participate in ONE Sunday coming November 8, 2009. What is ONE Sunday? It is a historic day when our two locations meet together for ONE incredibly inspirational, informational, and challenging vision casting service to chart a course together for the future (specifically the next 36 months). On that Sunday, we will remember our heritage, review our present, and vision for our future. 

What can you expect on that day? Both campuses will meet for ONE service at the Sterling Campus beginning at 10:00 a.m. This unique experience is preceded by a fellowship time beginning at 9:00 a.m. and followed with a catered luncheon at 11:30 a.m. There will be no Sunday School at the Sterling Campus or regularly scheduled morning service at the North Campus that day. We will meet for ONE experience as ONE church. Two Town Hall Meetings will follow in the evening. The Sterling Campus Town Hall will be at 5:00 p.m. and the North Campus Town Hall will be at 6:30 p.m. This will provide venues for follow up discussion about the earlier presentation and an opportunity to dialogue regarding action items specific to each campus. 

Why should you participate? This is your church! Our future as Memorial Baptist Church isn’t built upon the ability of a few, but upon the availability and participation of the many. I am not suggesting we maintain a church-as-usual mindset on ONE Sunday, but advocate significant operational shifts and adjustments for our future. We need you at Memorial working together for a stronger Memorial and a greater community influence. Life change happens through the ministry of the local church and you have an opportunity to be a part of community transformation through Memorial Baptist Church.Please make every effort to be available for this historic day in the life of Memorial Baptist Church on Sunday, November 8, 2009. 

Peace, 

Brad Hoffmann

I’m sitting at my desk (late on a Friday night) at the house reviewing my notes and thoughts for the message Sunday. It’s as if all of a sudden I’m overwhelmed by an amazing demonstration of compassion and love Christ exhibited. He did stuff no one else was even willing to do. Of course, He’s God. The earplugs are in and iTunes is up. A song comes up that I’ve not heard in a while - Hope’s Call singing, “You are Love.” It’s an old song, certainly not new. I wanted to share it with you. As I’m listening to the words, I’m contemplating the incredible willingness of Jesus to touch and then heal the leper. And if you know the Greek, it wasn’t a wimpy touch, but a grasp. And better yet, Jesus touched the man before He spoke the words that He desired to heal him. Actions really do speak louder than words. I love Jesus. Oh, that I might live as He lived and live for Him.

Annette Roberts provided our staff verse today. I had to take a few moments and comment about it – leave it to a preacher to do so. Here’s the passage: 

 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it." Psalm 37:4-5

Regardless of where you fall along the theological spectrum, life is about choices. You have the choice to choose between options. Regardless of the influences or factors present, you must make a choice. One of the choices we make involves our attitude and mindset. What do you choose to think about? What demeanor of the mind do you choose? Make the decision to cultivate an attitude influenced and developed by God. 

Choose the Lord as your delight. Delight only in him while rejecting all other influences other than Christ. Decline delights which interfere with being consumed with Christ. Ask God to consume and cultivate your thoughts and mindset today. Remember, today is Monday and we can use all the help we can get! 

At the same time, give God permission (even though He doesn’t need permission, but it is an act of surrender) to exchange your desires for His. Ask God to replace personal desires for the desires He wants for you today. It’s kind of like exchanging a gift that didn’t fit for something that’s just the right size. Personal desires don’t fit the God shape of our life. The perfect fit is His. 

Choose to delight in Christ today and accept His desires as yours. It’ll shape for the better the way you see life, circumstances, relationships, and the challenges you’ll face.

ONE Sunday is just weeks away and coming November 8, 2009. This is a very special day as we gather for a unique, encouraging, and powerful worship and vision casting experience. Why ONE Sunday? ONE Sunday is for ONE Church with ONE Purpose for ONE Vision in ONE Community with ONE God. Memorial Baptist Church is ONE dynamic church with two diverse locations. The uniqueness of this ministry model allows and enables us to reach a broader spectrum of a diverse community demographic with the gospel. On November 8, 2009, we will come together in ONE corporate experience for ONE day to discuss our purpose and to look at our future together specifically for the next 36 months. ONE Sunday is a singular distinct experience. Everything is different on this ONE day. The schedule has been re-written for this unique day. We’ll meet at the Sterling Campus for our ONE event. Fellowship Time including a complimentary Coffee Bar with barista starts at 9:30am. Our ONE service will begin at 10:00am in the Worship Center. Lunch will be served (approximately 11:20am) following the service in the ROC (Activities Building). After lunch, we’re dismissed. Later that evening, you’re asked to come back to one of two Town Hall Meetings one at each campus to discuss specific North and Sterling action items. The Sterling Campus Town Hall will meet at 5:00pm followed the North Campus Town Hall at 6:30pm.

I cannot overstate the importance of this singular event! On this ONE day we need all Memorial Baptist Church members and guests alike present and available. This day is about our future and the direction of Memorial’s Ministry specifically for the next 36 months. You’re availability and participation is vital to the future successes of this church family. ONE Day isn’t for someone else it’s for you. ONE Day isn’t just another meeting; it is about charting our course for the future. Come and be a part of this historic ONE Sunday experience.

I’m getting excited about Judgement House this year. We had a counselor training meeting this afternoon after church. I appreciate everyone’s commitment to make Judgement House the best ever. While every job is important in Judgement House, our counselors get the opportunity to personally interact with people as they make life changing decisions. It’s a unique perspective as you witness God work through a progressive drama. 

I think many can relate to the script this year. It’s about the struggles of a dysfunctional family, their relationships, and their ability to cope with tragedy. The storyline will hit home with many. Pray for our actors, room directors, and set designers. These committed volunteers will be working extremely hard to complete the task by the end of the month. Already, we have many group reservations scheduled. I’m convinced it’s going to be a banner year! 

It’s not too late to get plugged into Judgement House. If you’re interested in helping out contact Donna Hammel at donna@memorialbaytown.com or at 281.427.1725 x208.

How great is God's love for you and for me! I'm thankful for that love! 

It’s been an interesting week so far – full of action. If you attend Prayer Meeting on Wednesday nights, you know we’re praying for revival and renewal. We’ve been praying for our community for a long time and for this church, too. But, we don’t give up. We persevere in prayer because it’s the way we’re encouraged to pray. Don’t quit, don’t stop, and don’t limit God – pray. 

You need to know that over the past roughly 24 hours, 5 people have come to know Christ through the ministry of this church. How cool is that? Five more people who now love Jesus (and know His love) have the rest of their days to live for Him. God is at work and I praise Him for it. 

It kind of makes me wonder what’s He’s going to do the rest of the week. I can’t wait for the weekend. I can’t wait for Sunday. We’re going to talk about Jesus and the way He lived. Don’t miss out!

As I pondered the message post delivery, I want to hit home a significant point about Christ’s example of serving. Living a life of service isn’t event driven but pattern lived. Let me explain. Living a life of service is more than volunteering to help out a couple of church or community events throughout the year. Serving is a lifestyle or life pattern that is demonstrated not only in special events but lived out in everyday life. Jesus’ statement about service in Mark 10:45 referenced a life committed pattern of serving and giving. This is our example to follow. 

Just because we volunteer to help out here and there, doesn’t fully live out the example of service portrayed in Scripture. There is a conscious decision that I must make to live my life as a servant – serving and giving. As Paul states, it is an attitude or mindset that must be established in us as we take on the attitude of Christ. While I certainly want you to help out and volunteer for various events and activities, this lifestyle of service goes deeper than planned church stuff. It’s about how I pattern my life when no one from church is watching. 

As I seek to live like Christ, may I live my life as a servant – serving and giving.

This is too funny! It’s a great teachable moment about the tithe. We need to be reminded, encouraged, and educated about our financial responsibility and giving through the local church. I just couldn’t pass it up, had to put it on the blog. I’m wondering how this might look on the platform at North and Sterling both? Hmm, maybe it is best left to the video!  

In light of our upcoming study Living Like Jesus, I thought you might enjoy this clip. You’ll probably remember the story from sometime back. This time, Ed Dobson has written a book chronicling his year-long experiment of living like Jesus. Take a look at his story. You’ll find it fascinating and maybe a little strange, too. By the way (just to put you at ease), I’m not challenging us to do what Dobson did.

Over the next number of weeks, we’re going to discuss some of Jesus’ traits and behaviors with the intention of incorporating these attitudes and actions in our own walk. Remember that we follow Christ; we are His disciples and therefore ought to walk as He did.

I’ve wondered recently about much of the psycho-babble with self-help work. Some of it is beneficial while other parts really aren’t of great value (opinion). Perhaps people could live healthier and more productive lives if they only walked as Jesus walked. Maybe we wouldn’t be so spiritually frustrated and challenged if we’d emulate Jesus’ life, behaviors, and practices. So many live lives completely opposite of what Jesus lived and we wonder why there’s so much anguish. Maybe the answer is found in living more like the one we claim to follow. Just a thought :)

Brent Hines will be with us for two Thursdays in October (10/15 or 10/22) for the Heartland Financial Institute. The workshop will be held at the Sterling Campus from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. This is a great opportunity to get on a plan or to shore up your plan of personal financial responsibility and stewardship. You must register to attend so make plans now. Space is limited. Contact Penny Robinson penny@memorialbaytown.com to register. Here’s a short introductory video on what you can expect.

I was skimming the New York Times website and noticed a rather intriguing article. The article discussed several unusual but notable economic indicators one of which being men’s underwear. Now, I thought that a little odd, but as I read further, I understood. As far back as the 1970’s, Alan Greenspan (the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve then in a private consulting firm) looked at the sales of men’s underwear as an economic indicator. During normal or good economic times, sales tended upward. The opposite is true during poor economic times. When men had less money to spend, they cut back on their purchase of new goods. When people are confident, people spend more. When they are uncertain, they spend less. 

I think one of the health indicators of a church is its Prayer Meeting attendance. We’re witnessed a slow but steady increase in the Wednesday night crowd. That is encouraging to me, but more so for the church. There is a sense of a greater priority being placed on personal prayer. There’s a realization of the importance of corporate prayer. I believe the future and the influence of this church is gauged by its members and attenders participating in Prayer Meeting. 

There is great value in attending Prayer Meeting. This is where so many people learn how to pray and develop a confidence in their prayer life. You have the opportunity to agree with others. You’re not put on the spot and you’re given the opportunity to participate at your comfort level (hopefully being stretched). We’re praying for each other, our church, for revival, our community, and for the sick. We’re praying in a wide array of styles and formats. We’re singing, we’re learning, and we’re growing. 

So what’s your excuse? Don’t have the time? You need to make the time! Think Prayer Meeting is boring? You need to check it out. Still think it’s boring? You need to stay late so we can pray for you! Scared you’ll be called on to pray? I promise that I will not call on you or embarrass you in Prayer Meeting. There’s really no good excuse not to be in Prayer Meeting this next Wednesday. Come and join us!

Have you registered for Love Lessons with David and Jacque? Saturday at 7:00 pm is our first workshop at the North Campus. Call or email Donna Hammel donna@memorialbaytown.com or 281.427.1725 x208 to register today. Be prepared to reserve childcare space (if needed) when you call. I believe the most important relationship outside of our relationship with Christ is the marriage relationship. Healthy marriages are essential to healthy families. Marriage relationships influence our many other human relationships. This Saturday, you have an opportunity to invest in your marriage. Jacque Truitt is the Clinical Director of Pro-act (Counseling Center). Jacque and David are experienced marriage workshop facilitators. I can’t say enough about the value, importance, and worth of Love Lessons. Take advantage of the free childcare prior to the conference. Drop your children off at the North Campus anytime at 5:00 pm and take some time to have dinner together, just the two of you. When was the last time you did that? Be back by 7:00 pm for Love Lessons. The workshop will conclude by 8:30 pm. I believe in the promotion of a healthy marriage. Love Lessons with David and Jacque is a unique opportunity offered through Memorial Baptist Church. I am personally excited about this offering to add value and healthy practices in an effort to nurture the marriages in our church and community.

The people of our faith are called Christians. The literal meaning of this word could be defined as “little Christs.” If we are actually referred to in this manner, should not our lives be evidenced by the traits, attitudes, mannerisms, and actions of Christ? If Christ has transformed us, should not our lives resemble His? I believe the life of a believer should reflect the one in whom you believe. Because of this, I’m compelled to take a break from the “teaching plan” to devote a number of weeks specifically to teaching on the lifestyle of Christ. I want for us to turn and dig into the pages of the Gospels to study the life of Christ. Learn how Jesus lived. Discover the behaviors of Christ and how to emulate (not as an actor, but as a part of who you are in Christ) them in your own life. 

Some within our ranks prefer to use the term followers of Christ or Christ follower. While it don’t dislike the term, I don’t think it’s the best descriptive term of our relationship with Christ. Call is semantics, but there is a difference between a follower and a disciple or Christian. The follower can observe for a distance, be uninvolved, and uncommitted. A disciple on the other hand is in the midst, involved, and committed. There’s a level of intimacy found in the disciple’s relationship, which is unrealized in the follower’s. I don’t want to be just a follower; I want to be a disciple. I want to live a life worthy of the gospel, not for approval, but because it’s the way the one I’ve chosen to follow lived. 

 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Philippians 3:10

The title of tomorrow’s message is “The Love Meter.” I’ve embedded an actual online Love Meter to demonstrate. You’ve seen advertisements on television about texting your name and the name of that special someone to discover the percentage of compatibility and/or the “love percentage” you have for each other. I’m not sure of the “science” behind these spoof tools, but it is good for a chuckle or two. Before you place too much trust in this “love meter” to determine the future or the love percentage of your relationship, there are some better tools to help us determine the “percentage” or love-ability we have for people. I’m going to talk tomorrow about how to determine one’s level of love for others. The Bible provides us with a couple of tests to help us understand our love-ability and how we can make specific changes to love better.

You cannot watch and listen to this video without a deep sense of conviction. You might need to watch it a couple of times to allow the depth of the conversation to sink in. There’s so much here, there’s so much truth. It makes you wonder at which point did the Church veer off the path to take a more culturally traveled road. There is hope, there is opportunity for change, but the time is now.

There really is something amazing about grace. Watch the video to be reminded at how Christ has and is changing lives. Because of what He did on the cross, I’m forgiven. His grace is amazing.

Get out your calendar. Go ahead and turn to November. Block off and circle November 8, 2009 with a big bold marker now. Don’t plan anything else on this day but church at Memorial. We’re having a “real” meeting that day. It will be the most important meeting of the year – perhaps for the last decade. It is a day of direction, vision, focus, challenge, and the future. November 8 is all about where we’re going and how we’re going to get there. It’s time to cast vision for these next steps – the next three years to be exact. 

I’m excited, as are many others who have been a part of the strategic planning process over the summer. It’s a plan you can sink your teeth into. It’s a vision for today, which points us to the years ahead. There are actions, which require immediate attention with others that require some additional work. There is opportunity for you to get involved and make a difference at Memorial and more importantly in Baytown. In fact, there’s a place in the vision for everyone. 

I can’t over emphasize the importance of November 8, 2009. For the future of Memorial, your attendance and participation is essential.

The past week has been rather tough. On Saturday, we held a memorial service for Roger Vickers in the Chapel. The place was nearly packed. This young man had suffered physically for a number of years. Through his healthy years and through his illness, Roger touched a number of lives. It was wonderful to both hear and read stories of his influence among friends, family, and even strangers throughout his life. Continue to pray for his parents, Paul and Becky Vickers. These are really great people. Paul and Becky love the Lord and are relying on His strength and grace these days. 

On Wednesday, we held a memorial service for Ken Donovan. Ken battled ALS these past three and a half years. He did it with humor, grace (His wife Grace, too), and humility. I’ve enjoyed listening to the stories. Both Jay and Doug (his sons) did a great job of sharing at the service. It seemed as though everyone you talked to had a humorous story about Ken. You couldn’t mention his name without a smile. He did life well – enjoying every moment. He was a true educator making a difference both inside and outside the classroom. Ken invested in his students. I’m going to miss Ken and his questions, jokes, and encouragement. Remember to pray for Grace, Jay and Doug. This is a great family and they’re relying upon God, too. 

There’s one thing these two men had in common – they both knew and loved Jesus. Both Roger and Ken are in the presence of Christ now. Their hope has been fulfilled and their faith is now realized. You can’t help but smile at the fully realized gift of eternal life. Thank you Jesus!

I have a word of information concerning the Deacon Election. All seven men (Rick Chatham, Bitsy Davis, John Elam, Allen Hines, Bill Nethery, and Mike Scribner) were affirmed by the congregation as they rotate onto Assigned status from Unassigned status. I’m proud of these men and look forward to serving with them again.