"Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12-14).

THE CHURCH: MOVING FROM GOOD TO GREAT!

As we come to the end of another year, there is no doubt that God has been good to us. All around there are signs of God's goodness. Three successful missions to Biloxi, Mississippi; adopted three families evacuated from the Louisiana area; paid off the sound system; made extra mortgage payments on 340 Nutley Street; sent over $5,000.00 medical supplies to Haiti; provided weekly worship service to the incarcerated; feed the homeless and disadvantaged in our community and witnessed to about 1,000 persons. These are just a sampling of the good things, by the grace of God, our church has been able to accomplish this year. However, we must not rest on our laurels and be content with only what we can see and attempt only what we can do. We are people who are called to walk by faith not by sight.

In 2007, I will challenge the church and each member individually, to move from good to great. So often in the church, we applaud and become satisfied with mediocrity. Good is the enemy of greatness. Many who see themselves as good loses the passion for greatness. I am convinced that God desires us to live our lives on our tiptoes. That is, we should be reaching higher than our grasp.

In the text above, Paul admonishes the Philippians to move from good to great. First, he says, "forgetting those things which are behind" (v13). We must be willing to leave some things behind. Our achievements and our failures are all behind. One of the enemies of the church is traditionalism. Many people are afraid to try new ways and methods to tell the old story. Second, ""I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (v14). We must have a goal and it must be God- centered. As people of God, we have only two goals, either to enlarge or strengthen the Kingdom. Finally, "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (mature) be thus minded" (v14ff). Our living should reflect the biblical truths we have learned. Paul calls for conduct consistent with commitment, for congruence between the levels of spirituality we have attained and the practical way we live. Greatness is our destiny. We are called to be eagle-people. People that sour above the regular, bland, and ordinary.

Why can't we send a youth missionary team to an overseas project? Why can't we have a community-wide major training/seminar? Why can't we give 13 or 15 percent of our income to mission? Why can't we have a music retreat cruise? Why can't we have buses going North, South, East and West every Sunday morning to pickup kids for church school? Why can't our congregation be more reflective of our new community?

The hymnologist has captured my vision for 2007 in the song Higher Ground.

I'm pressing on the upward way, New heights I'm gaining every day; Still praying as I onward bound, "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground." I want to scale the utmost height, And catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I'll pray till heaven I've found, Lord, lead me on to higher ground."

Will you join me in becoming an eagle-person in 2007?