I’ve been the preacher at Central Christian Church for just over two months now, and there is only one thing that I can really say at this point…I LOVE MY CHURCH! Over these first two months, we have started getting to know one another, as well as started really looking at where we want to go as we try to impact the community of Carlsbad, NM. In other words, we have started the vision process of seeing where we are and where we want to go. Things are already starting to pick up momentum, and I am extremely excited about where we seem to be headed. One of the first things I wanted to capitalize on was the feel of family. I introduced the idea of our congregation thinking of itself as our “faith family” This wasn’t an idea that I had come up with. Our church in TN called itself a faith family, but I felt that we could adopt that and see immediate benefits from that. Man, have I not been disappointed.
During some of our vision presentations during our recent sermon series on the life of Joseph, I taught on and described what it meant to be a family in respect to our congregation. Basically, there were four things that were stressed. 1. We Take Care of Our Own, 2. We Don’t Fight, 3. There Should Be a Culture of Mentorships/Apprenticeships, and 4. All Are Welcome. After presenting these ideas in a sermon a couple of weeks ago, I have been able to see some of these coming to life. Over the last couple of weeks, I have heard and seen people in our congregation refer to our church as our “faith family”. People are starting to buy in, and I love that we look at each other as family.
The best indication that people are buying in to some of these ideas actually took place today. A family from our congregation had their car break down about three blocks from the church on their way to Sunday School this morning. The word got out that this had happened, and another family offered to try and tow their vehicle for them, back to their house. After church was over, while my wife and I were having lunch together, I got a text that just brought a huge smile to my face. Not only did this guy go to help a member of his “faith family” by towing their car, he actually took the time to see if he could figure out what was wrong with the car. And he was able to not only figure out what was wrong, but he was also able to fix the car at no cost and get this family back on the road. WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN!
Did I say that I LOVE MY CHURCH?!
Thoughts from a Crosseyed Jesus Freak 
I attended CCC from 1982-1996. I now live in Nome, Ak. That is the church where my children were raised. I still keep in touch with the lives of that “faith family” and with one of the men that Pastored there. I do think of CCC as “home.” God bless you and your ministry. Please tell the congregation “hello” from Patt. Most will remember me as Patt Jacobsen.