Thankful

I know you didn't ask, but I'm going to tell you anyway.

I'm going to tell you about some people I'm so very thankful for. 

Every January we do annual review meetings with our staff. I consider these to be opportunities for me to learn more about the kind of environment and support our staff need from me in order to develop and flourish in their giftings, their call, and their responsibilities in our church. These conversations are times for goal-setting and aiming at personal and professional growth together. I thought I would take this opportunity today to share my thanks for our team with you. 

Let me start where every smart husband should - my wife. I'm grateful for Laura! She is an excellent partner in Leading and Pastoring CPC. She engages her heart fully and invests deeply in our church family. I'm thankful for her preaching, her worship leading, her coaching of other worship leaders and musicians, her coordinating of many teams, projects and priorities, and her work on the important dynamics of delivering our live-streaming and maintaining its support technology. Where would we be without her! Where would I be? (yikes!)

I'm grateful for Trevor! He is an excellent team player and collaborator. Trevor is an awesome people person; he is so genuine and compassionate. He cares more for you and your children than you will ever know. Trevor's world is more than full in managing the multiple priorities in youth, kids and families ministry, not to mention all the other ways his time is divided up contributing pastorally in our church life. I deeply appreciate his adaptability during a pandemic and responsiveness in tackling new goals and challenges. A 2021 highlight for me was witnessing Trevor lead our Summer Kids Day camp with energy and enthusiasm. I couldn't help but marvel when I saw how 'at home' Trevor was being dynamic, fun and a little crazy in front of a group of little kids from our church and community. What a gift! 

I'm grateful for Kirsty! She is off to a strong start in her new role in our office. She is learning quickly and is supporting our staff in ways that make each of us better. Her professional approach is strengthening our whole organization. Kirsty captures and keeps a firm command of details and excels in coordinating things. She is gifted by God in administration and loves helping people. If you have called or stopped by the office, I'm sure you have appreciated her warmth too! 

Although not formally part of our staff since moving to focusing on bookkeeping as an independent contractor (and thus, no longer subject to an annual review with me - ha!), I'd be remiss to not mention Sandy. I am thankful for Sandy! She continues to manage the finances of our church with steadiness and strength. Sandy is consistent, faithful, and trustworthy. CPC was blessed to have Sandy's organizational strengths at the helm of the office for so many years. It's a delight to have her in the office one to two days a week to work on our books still! 

And, although on a temporary internship experience, let me just say I'm also grateful for Amanda Stensrud! She brings energy and joy to every conversation, meeting or event she serves in. I know so many children in our church and community have been so blessed by her work with us. This experience will formally conclude later in February, but we know we are so blessed to have Amanda continuing to serve as a volunteer in many parts of our church. 

We are a blessed church, and I am a thankful Pastor. Join me in thanking God for our team today. 

Pastor Mike