FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

 We just completed our annual missions conference with Rev. Tom Cheeley and Rev. Mo Up De Graff.  We were challenged and encouraged by both speakers.  I trust you came away with a renewed commitment to be used by God to take the good news of the gospel to those in our own community as well as partner with those who have committed their lives to full-time missions wherever God calls them.

  Tom Cheeley shared with me a study that was done by the Lyle Schaffler Group on retaining first time visitors that they have utilized at Briarwood PCA in Birmingham.  The study found this about first time visitors:

1   When a “screen door” visit at the home to deliver a packet of information about the church and thank the folks for coming is made to a first time visitor within the first 24 hours of their visit, 85% will return for a second visit.

2    When a visit at the home is made within 36 hours of the second visit, 65% will make that church their regular place of worship.

3     When either of these visits is made by the pastor the percentage drops in half.

What this says to me is that when people in the congregation are personally involved in the outreach of a church the results are far greater than when this is done only by paid staff.  Tom went on to say that Briarwood has a reputation for this and people will come, and on Sunday afternoon when their outreach groups make these first time visits they will say, “We were waiting to see if you would come”.  I share this with you so that we can utilize what God has used in other congregations to bring about growth.  Think about it.

  Let us continue to pray for the upcoming election and exercise the privilege that we have in this country on November 4^th.  We still need more people to come out for Wednesday 4's and spend time before God, praying that He would bring reformation and revival to our church, our nation and the world.

  We are only serving dinner the first three Wednesday nights in November because of the Thanksgiving holiday.  The menu is included elsewhere in the newsletter.  Please make sure that you call in to RSVP by 12:00 noon on Mondays so we know how many to cook for.  This month Betty Ludwig and Glendine Lipford are preparing the Wednesday dinners.  Next month Carrol Ludwig and Richard Booth have graciously offered to cook for the three meals in December.  Please make sure you help with the clean-up each week after you have finished eating.  It is certainly appreciated by our kitchen committee.  We want to thank Noah Cunningham for the great meals he prepared for the month of October.  Somebody said Sarah taught him everything he knows about cooking.  It’s probably just a rumor.

  I trust that you will generously respond to the plea that the deacons and mission committee have presented prior to our morning worship with regards to the budget needs.  God, by the generosity of His people, faithfully prospers the ongoing ministry of Centralia Presbyterian Church.  Thank you for your diligence and faithfulness.

See you in church!

                                         Dan Lipford