To the Glory of God
Read: Colossians 3:23-24
I have been lucky to have been
allowed to serve on a number of GPUMC committees over the 32 years I
have been a member.
Currently I am on the Finance
committee, just off Outreach and also a continuing choir member.
The
interesting thing is that in the past, and with the three mentioned
above, there is a striking similarity in approach......the rationale
by the members and leaders is truly not
for self glory, but for the Glory of God. We are fortunate to have
parishioners with high powered occupations, but their involvement is
altruistic. Benchmarks are for quality, caring, and effectiveness,
not personal aggrandizement (at least not evident in a public way).
I especially want to single out the
leaders in the three activities mentioned above.
Dr. Beth Blunden has chaired
Outreach for a number of years and Steve Sicklesteel has chaired
Finance for about the same time. In each case, they both have led
their committees of great people to excellence. Cleopatra Greenwell
has successfully led the choir for over 30 years.
In Outreach, Beth has tirelessly
worked to ensure that GPUMC reaches the Methodist designation called
a Spotlight Church, which requires annual multiple goals to be
obtained by GPUMC actions across local, regional, national, and
international Methodist arenas. Of course, the committee members are
vital to getting is all accomplished, but the organization and follow
through of her leadership keeps it all on successfully on track.
Steve has GPUMC's monetary situation
in the best position it has ever been, in spite of the Great
Recession starting in 2008. His calm ability utilizing the best
aspects of the committee members is a key element in his leadership.
Three benchmarks especially reflect the success. One is meeting our
Apportionment responsibilities, the second is reduction of the
mortgage and the third is accurate financial reports. GPUMC is
annually thanked by the Conference for our faithful payment of our
financial duty to the Methodist system. Secondly, there is a chance
that we will be able to pay off the mortgage within 2016 with a good
final extra effort. The third aspect is that GPUMC's financial
reporting system is accurate and carefully handled tirelessly by
volunteer Laurie Stowell. The communication between her and the
Committee is close, on time, and complete. Without strong finances
GPUMC activities would suffer.
Cleopatra's (Patty) approach as a
long standing member of GPUMC's staff is also similar to the above.
Her ability to utilize the best aspects of the choir members is a key
element in her leadership. Over the years the approach has changed
due to the dynamic nature of choirs and music in today's world, but
her commitment to excellence is unwavering. But note, the excellence
commitment is repeatedly brought up by Patty to be for the Glory of
God ... in fact, she mentions this fairly often (and expresses it
from deep in her heart).
Sorry to single out these specific
people, but let it be known that the other GPUMC arenas are similar
in their success in the Glory of God. These are just the ones I have
recently personally witnessed and am pleased to be of part of.
Dave DeWitt
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