Series on God's Will

This summer (2006) I am preaching 6 messages on the theme of GOD'S WILL.

I am indebted to Rev. Leslie D. Weatherhead and his little book simply titled: "The Will Of God." (Abingdon Press, 1954)

This book, based on his messages on the subject, preached in London, England, during WWII, helped me to understand God's will differently. He breaks down God's will into three basic components:

• God's Intentional Will - His original purpose and plan for the world and for people. Also known as the Perfect Will of God.
• God's Circumstantial Will - How God works in the midst of a world that is marred and broken by sin along with people who are sinful in their nature, orientation and choice.
• God's Ultimate Will - Referring to the purposes God will acheive in the end.
  

In basing my perspectives on Weatherhead's basic premise, I am definitely making the messages my own and making them appropriate to the setting of my pastorate in the early 21st Century.

These messages are being transcribed from the service tapes and will be available in booklet form as well as posted on my companion blog @ ... http://revrossgodswill.blogspot.com

There you will see the entire schedule and scope of this series.

A Vision for the Christian Life and for the Church

I have created a new page to say more about my vision for personal Christian growth and how that can affect our life together as a church.

My aim and desire in my second year with United Presbyterian Church is to form a vision - not just for the church - but a vision that integrates both personal spiritual growth and discipleship and life together in the church. So, I begin by saying that: Our Vision is ...For all people to become all they can be in Jesus Christ ...

The new link is http://revrosschurchvision.blogspot.com

Thanks.

I hope you will visit that site, look it over and comment on it. I find comments helpful.

I will be shaping this into a series of sermons for the Fall.

I will have a more on how that shapes Mission and Core Values later.

@RevRoss

"Minister" or "Pastor" sounds to much like a church word ...

I think of myself as a Spiritual Director and a Coordinator of Volunteer Ministries. I think this describes better what I do and has less of a negative connotation than "minister" or "pastor" or "reverend." ...

I am a Spiritual Director in many respects ... in that I study and interpret the Word of God (Bible) for a Christian Community (United Presbyterian) and I also deal with peoples' questions and problems as they search for meaning and God ...

I also do a fair amount of coordinating the church's program. My motto could be: "Pastor Ross Slaughter - saving the world one committee meeting at a time." (... just kidding ... sort of ...)