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06βͺAPRIL 2023βͺshop . cmausa . org |
COME TOGETHER month we talk about
EACH chapter health as if there is some unique formula that will solve all our issues . The biggest problem we have in our chapters is the fact we are aging out . The question is , why ? Did we stop bringing in new people ? Was it because we stopped ministering or asking people to join , or did we become a group that pushed people away ? Regardless many of our chapters are getting older and giving up . Peter seemed to understand the importance of staying focused and realizing our responsibilities to the church and our chapters as an elder . β And now , a word to you who are elders in the churches . I , too , am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ . And I , too , will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world . As a fellow elder , I appeal to you : Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you . Watch over it willingly , not grudgingly β not for what you will get out of it , but because you are eager to serve God . Don β t lord it over the people assigned to your care , but lead them by your own good example . And when the Great Shepherd appears , you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor .
In the same way , you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders . And all of you , dress yourselves in humility as
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you relate to one another , for β God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble β ( 1 Peter 5:1- 5 , NLT ). If you are an older member , Peter is saying you have a responsibility to the flock you have been given ; this means you have an obligation to this chapter that you have been part of for many years not to let it die . Watch over it willingly , not with resentment or as a chore . The strange thing is I often talk to older members , and they speak with joy and excitement about the days when they first joined , and now they seem to feel it ' s a burden .
What has changed ? The only thing I see is they are a little older . Why would that make you give up on the ministry ? At one time , it was one of the most important things in your life .
This year , two of the three initiatives we are sharing can really help fix our chapter ' s health issues . The first is to expand our outreach . This means we must get out of the restaurant , stop complaining , and do something . The second is to engage the next generation , which means anyone younger than you as we have been talking about at Seasons of Refreshing . These two focuses are the reason a chapter is struggling .
I had a chance to talk to a chapter this week . They were getting old and down to three members . They noticed that the next town over had the same issue . So ,
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instead of both chapters folding , they decided to start meeting together . The thing I love about this was the older members decided to save the chapters . They understood the responsibility God had entrusted to them . They brought in a couple of new people and turned the reins over to them . Since August , they have brought in seven new members . This is exactly what Peter was saying . Care for the flock you have been given .
That ' s what the two chapters decided to do . Come together , care for the chapters and the members , and then engage the next generation . I am curious if they will ever be two chapters again , but I do know they are one healthy , solid chapter because the elders cared , and the younger ones were willing to be taught and discipled .
Remember , a healthy chapter starts with you and is your responsibility . God Bless . CMA
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