It has been aptly said, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.”

As a congregation, we stand at a critical point in the life of our church. Within the next few months, we will be asked to make some choices as to where we go from here.

As we make our choices, we should thank God for the past, consider the present and prepare for the future. The FBCV-2014 Strategic Planning Committee will soon report its findings and recommendations, which will assist us in shaping and molding our destination.As we make our choices, we should thank God for the past, consider the present and prepare for the future.

Those who have investigated church growth cycles, suggest that there are five cycles a church goes through from its birth to its death. The cycles are birth, growth, stability, decline and death.

When I came to the church more than 24 years ago, the congregation had endured a split, had less than 200 members and was at the start of a new birth cycle. The income my first Sunday was $1,253.25. After the first four years, we entered the growth cycle and for the next nine years we averaged more than 127 new members each year.

For the last 10 years, we have averaged more than 82 new members each year. Our income for the last 11 years is well over a $1 million dollars.

We have held constant at 1,100- 1,200 members on roll. I believe that we are in the middle of the stability cycle. The stability cycle is still on the upside of the life cycle. This cycle is characterized by high visibility for the church. A strong understanding of its common purpose and mission continue to energize and drive

the congregation. We are still doing some great things. However, if we don’t transform ourselves to serve this present age by a new birth, we will pass into the final two cycles of the growth cycle – decline and death.There are a number of dynamics or birth pains that are operating in the environment in which our church must navigate its new birth: ß We have moved from being a community church, where most of the members live in the community to a commuter church, where most of the members live outside of the community.

• There is a diminishing denominational loyalty.
  Many Christians do not want to be identified with a denomination.
• There is less concern for what was once the "blue laws," which prohibit certain things being done on Sunday.
• The church is struggling to find its relevancy in a world that is experiences a renaissance every few months.
• There is a trend toward individualism rather than community.

Once the Strategic Planning Committee’s report has been finalized and reviewed by the leadership we will have a church conference where the plan will be presented to the membership for scrutiny and final disposition.

In spite of all that I have said, I am convinced that First Baptist Church’s best days are ahead. According to Jonathan Swift, vision is the ability to see the invisible. I say, vision is the ability to see God’s plans for tomorrow, today. I still believe that our church stands on the threshold of

Where do we go from here? I recommend that we, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (Proverb 3:5-6).

Where do we go from here? We will follow Him!