Dear Church Family, 

This past week was an exciting time for our church as we welcomed our outside advisory team to Pittsfield for a time of evaluation and consultation.  We were somewhat overdue for our advisory team to visit due to the pandemic, but Doug Harvey and Rick Grace met with our staff, leadership, and several groups from the congregation for a prayerful review of our church as we seek to refine and better fulfill our commission to make disciples and minister to our community through the Love of Christ. We look forward to receiving their full report later this month. 

As I considered their visit, I thought about the value that a different perspective brings.  I had a friend that was joining me for a meeting, and as he drove up in his car I commented on the squealing I had heard from under his hood.  He replied that he had become so used to it he no longer heard it.  It ended up being a loose belt that needed replacing. It was a good thing that I brought this to his attention.    

Those of us who have pets can very easily become nose blind to the smell of our beloved critters. What we have become “used to” may in fact be somewhat unpleasant to those we wish to welcome into our homes.  

The same is true for our walk with Christ.  Included with our walk with one another is the demonstration of Christian Love to help each other grow.  This growth can, at times, include drawing attention to some areas in our life that we may be unaware of.  When this is done in the love of Christ, growth follows. This is one reason for the visit of our outside advisors.   

Matt 7:3-5

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye?  5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ESV

Over the next few weeks, we will be focusing on this topic as we look into Paul’s letters to Timothy.  I hope that as we examine God’s word, our relationships will deepen with one another and we will adopt a spirit of growth within them.   

Loving you all,

Michael