At present we could use an elective adult Sunday School class, a large youth group activity center, larger classrooms for each age group, more room for our preschool program, more storage space, larger restrooms, some fellowship area expansion, and an auditorium which seats more people. Well, I'm sure I haven't been exhaustive, but we have the idea.

As we grow we will need larger ministry force, folks who will lead various ministries, and many to serve in accomplishing each ministry's objective. These ministries are more important than the needed building space, but the space helps the ministries to function with greater comfort, gives us more ministry options, and can attract more to be served and saved.

Changes will constantly occur. With time all ministries will need to be evaluated for their effectiveness. Are the ministries we have serving as they did a year ago. Well, there is one which will change immediately. The Wednesday evening program has been evolving to better serve the children who attend. Beginning March 2nd we will evolve more. The older children's class (3rd - 6th Grade) will have their own class. Myndee Albers, helped by her husband, Shannon, will be teaching this class. We will no longer have a lesson, snack and sword skills as we have in the past. We will not have to rotate teachers, sword skill leaders, and snack servants on Wednesdays. So, if you have seen the Wednesday Schedule disappear from the Newsletter this month, this is the reason. Wednesday education isn't in need of a schedule any longer.

I hope we can separate this same Wednesday class another time, but with our limited space it might be difficult. You can tell there is a large age difference (3rd Grade - 6th Grade) and it needs to be divided yet again. Hopefully we can achieve that goal soon.

To place ourselves in a better situation to serve the Lord more effectively we must personally position ourselves in better circumstances. Let me explain.

As we grow numerically we have new brothers and sisters in Christ who need time to grow spiritually. This means each of us should bear responsibility to achieve the ministry God expects. Please evaluate your present ministry load. Can you give more time and serve in more areas of ministry?

Also, we will need to fund new facilities. Again, we wish all new believers could understand the importance of tithing, but that isn't the case. So, can you move to a greater percentage of giving to help supply from God's storehouse (what you manage of God's blessings) for God's Church house?

Two things which clutter our spiritual vision and hinders our effectiveness as servants and stewards are mishandling of time and mishandling of finances. Life as a whole needs to be re-evaluated. From how much importance we place on the activities we have involved ourselves in to the amount of money we spend on food. Budgeting time can be just as important as budgeting our finances.

When we evaluate we should use the standard. Yes, The Standard. The teaching of the Scripture about time and eternity. The lessons about what's God's and what is to be used for family necessities. As you know there are few things which will last throughout eternity. Besides God, the Word of God will last forever (1 Peter 1:22-25). Souls of mankind will exist forever as well (Matthew 25:46). Using this truth from the Word of God we should evaluate what is important? What time should be invested in endeavors which benefit the everlasting souls of mankind? What temporal stuff can be used to facilitate this important goal, to save and care for mankind (Winning to Jesus - Growing in Jesus - Doing All Things in Love)?