Perspective… 

by Jill DeCent

As the Family Ministry Coordinator here at ILC, it’s always my prayer and deep desire to come alongside families in their faith journeys and development. I’m constantly questioning many things-What works best for parents and children? How can we be intentional about that? How do we help nurture all peoples of all age’s relationship with Jesus? What works best for grandparents, singles, married couples….yikes! How is lifestyle and culture influencing daily lives? What’s the desire of our families with children, who are coming to us on Sunday mornings? 

So, I gathered those families together, and asked these very questions. Keeping in mind, the transitions we are facing in the coming year. The consensus? Togetherness. Mentorship. The desire of the parents of adolescent children was that they would be one with the congregation as a whole, learning, listening, and being part of the life and joy that is Immanuel. 

The decision to combine two services into one, was also a decision to create “Oneness” as a church. Will you have to sit a bit closer to your brothers and sisters in Christ on Sunday? Maybe. Will you have to share your favorite table during fellowship with a few more people? Maybe. Will you be able to share in God’s word and GRACE, and practice the Values of Immanuel-Compassion, humility, patience, acceptance, personal integrity, honesty, accountability? YES! Your concerns about the time commitment for families with children on Sunday? Thank you, but this is a great opportunity to mentor them up into this incredible church and congregation, and what was requested by those very families. 

So, to conclude, please pray over this church, the congregation, the leadership, the worries, the anxieties, the fear. Turn it all over to our ever-capable father in heaven, and turn it into EXCITEMENT for what’s to come. 

Isaiah 43:19…See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.