Dear Friends,
David Wong, Community Church board member, told a story recently about how his family had lots of fruit trees on their property when he was growing up. One of these trees was a special persimmon tree that produced a great deal of fruit that was much in demand from friends and family members. Yet every year, he also saw his mother cut those trees back severely. He wondered why she seemed to destroy them, making them look so ugly and small after they had been so large and fruitful. Yet when he was older, he understood that she had more experience than him and had been doing the right thing—even though it hadn’t looked right to him at the time. She pruned the trees back so they could focus all of their life and energy toward producing fruit for the next season.
Churches are the same way. During times of transition as we prepare for new seasons of growth, we need to be intentional about cutting back and simplifying. In this way, we can focus all of our energy where it will be most essential for producing the fruit we hope for.
Jesus spoke about this sometimes counterintuitive dynamic in John 15:1-2: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
How you can help
Pray with us that Jesus will prepare us well for this next season of growth. Because of his great love, we have hope: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7)
Just as he has been faithful in the past, God will be faithful in the future. Mark on your calendars the Town Hall Meeting for March 26, 12:00-1:00pm in the Worship Center.
Also be on the lookout for listening session signups coming soon. We want everyone to be heard and have a voice as we move forward together.
Great Moments with Pastor Rob 
Dear Pastor Rob and Kathleen Acker,
We so proud of you! Thank you for your devotion ministry to the Church. We wouldn’t be where we today without you. Thank you for always supporting us. Congratulations for on your retirement! We hope you have an awesome retirement!
We still remember you visiting us in our country, you work hard preaching and visiting evangelistic ministries, and your stomach ached from the food. Unforgettable….
Sumbut and Marmi
Missionaries in SE Asia
Do you have your own Great Moment with Pastor Rob? Please share it with us at greatmoments@findcommunity.com. And don’t forget to include a picture!
