Covenant Church

Monday. Sunday was yesterday. Today is Monday. Not Blue Monday. Monday! Day of opportunity! God is at work! The Staff of Covenant Church is at work.

Many pastors take off Monday. I do not. The reason is simple. I come from a family of builders, contractors and entrepreneurs. In those days when I was not a pastor I learned a crucial lesson: If you do not move quickly on a Monday, you can lose the entire week.

People make plans over the weekend. On Monday they have an idea of what they will do all week. If you are not part of their plans on Monday, you lose the week. Your slot is gone. Someone else took it.

In the world of being a pastor there are other lessons learned. Sundays are days of high adrenalin. A week of preparation sets the stage. It is time to minister. People are coming. Senses are heightened. The action is intense. It is like saying: "Lights, camera, action!" Dress-rehearsal is over. Sunday is on. No chance to re-do.

I try to approach Sunday as if Jesus is coming to church. He is. What would I want Jesus to see? He does. How would I want him to comment about fellowship and worship? He will.

Monday comes I have a list. Things that need to have attention. Things that need to be changed. Things that could be better. Things that are done well.

There is a short list and a long list. The short list is practical. Many items only take a minute or two. The long list includes items that will take team work and time.

Staff meets every Monday. We start with prayer and devotions. Then administrative items. By 10 AM we try to release the administrative staff. Pastors continue the meeting to discuss vision, strategy, ministry, team building, and to prayerfully ask God to guide us into effective evangelism and caring.

There are practical plans: (1) Repairing driveway after installation of new wastewater pipe; (2) Installing new lights near highway entrances; (3) Remodeling NT kitchen into classroom/seminar room; (4) Remodeling mezzanine of gym for worship area for youth; (5) Training new drivers for buses that carry more than 15 persons; (6) Electricity and water to maintenance building; (7) Improved signage, etc.

Discussion of strategy of how to improve effectiveness and results in ministry is integral. The Lord has added to us people from all walks of life and from many countries and cultures. Weekly we find ourselves like students in a classroom.

We are seeking to link our church plant in Juba, Sudan to a network of support and leadership training. We are exploring how to insure the future of our church in Batangas, Philippines. We are working with a large Burmese fellowship in Charlottesville. We have just discovered that one of our parishioners is responsible for the administration of 15 Pentecostal churches in Ethiopia.

This Saturday we have a leadership training seminar at Covenant. It is an excellent event from 8:30 to 2 PM with more than 100 persons registered. You can still call and register.

On the last Saturday of January we will have training for CDL License for vehicles carrying more than 16 persons. Six persons have signed up. You must be 18 to have opportunity for this blessed ministry! Please contact Patty at p.perkins@covenantchurch.net to register.

Ladies Night Live is Sunday 5-7 PM. Men's Breakfast with Pastor is next Saturday 7:30 AM to 8:45...followed by a men's outing for target practice at the property of Dick and Dee Prins in Crozet.

In all of this we have a single motive: To exalt Jesus! Our heart is to connect people to Jesus. We must first lead people to Jesus. Then we have a responsibility to connect them to each other and to disciple them.

Oh, Mondays are so exciting. I praise the Lord for a good pastoral team! I praise the Lord for a good prayer team. It is such a joy to be part of the Kingdom of God!

Much love,

Pastor Bare

Psalm 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.