In speaking with the wise and learned, and in my attendance at numerous conferences and continuing education events, I am convinced that setting goals is not a wasted effort. I think we over complicate the process occasionally and, at times, we put down an admirable list of hopeful accomplishments only to place the list in a safe place never to be considered again.I have had some admirable goals through the years. Back in the 80’s and 90’s, Kim and I had a goal to raise stable and well-adjusted kids and keep our marriage intact in the process. I believe the kids are okay now that they are adults and my de-voted spouse has succeeded in keeping the marriage together. Another goal, when I came to Poplar Springs, was to be a part of a selfless , trusting, and caring ministry team that sought the will of God above the desires of self. This is going well. Your staff believes in teamwork and there is a lot of love amongst us. It’s so good that I don’t dread Sundays and Mondays when I
can be around the larger Poplar Springs team/family….that’s you!
I have had some other noble goals which I will mention but not elaborate on due to time and space. When I retire, I want to eat at every greasy, grade C drive-in eating establishment in NC. I would like to finish my novel before it’s published posthumously. And in 2020, I want to have my taxes done in February. Finally, I would like to have grandkids before I have diaper changes in common with them! I guess that one’s out of my hands.
There are two reasons I am talking goals today. The first one is this: It is the Easter season and I would like to encourage you to make it your goal to see it as more than hollow chocolate bunnies, marshmallow Peeps, and Cadbury eggs. I will eat my share of these but, in my own life, I hope to remember the sacrifice of Jesus and His victory over the grave. I hope you will take some time to be alone with God and that you will also take advantage of our special times of community worship at Poplar Springs. The dates and times are in this newsletter. Make worship a priority among your goals for the season.
The second reason I am talking goals…..we are taking up an offering on Easter Sunday. Pat Litton did a fine job as a representative of our Finance Committee on Sunday elaborating on our financial needs for completing the building task which God called us to and which was led faithfully by our called and qualified Building Committee.
Now it’s time to pay up and after consultation with God and others, a goal has been set. Pat shared that we would like to have a final loan figure of one million dollars. If we want to do this, our goal on Easter Sunday will be $51,804. We can achieve this goal through the generous gifts of this congregation and numerous others who are simply friends of PSBC. I would like to issue a couple of further goals…..a challenge goal of $60,000 and a statement goal of $75,000. The 60K challenge is just a challenging round up figure and the 75K would be a statement that with God we can do the impossible. This last figure is crazy and downright unreasonable. But feel free to surprise yourselves.
Whether I, you or we reach these desired goals, which may or may not be achievable, let me encourage you to strive to fulfill the goal that Christ sought as He prayed for future believers in John 17:20-23
“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (the good news delivered by Jesus’ disciples) that all of them may be as one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
As a final note, we appreciate all tithes and offerings that are given so generously to Poplar Springs and in an effort to simplify the accounting task of these tithes and offerings, we ask that general tithes and offerings and Building Fund offerings be written on separate checks.
God Bless,
Andy O. (704) 300-0062