04 Feb Shepherd’s Staff – January 2022

In early January the Elders welcomed our newly elected members (Kevin, Jay and Jon) and jumped right into action electing a chair (Bo Sink), vice-chair (Steve Cranford) and secretary (Jon Sloan). We also elected three members to be a part of the administrative council: Vince, Jay and Bo.

A large part of our discussion to start the year has pertained to studies that are being used within our church small groups and ministries. The Elders have wrapped our arms around the commission to evaluate curriculum to safeguard our church from wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Jesus warned us of this in Matthew 7:15: “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.”

We recognize the importance of this instruction and have challenged ourselves to establish parameters to help, protect, and support our ministry leaders and small group leaders. We plan to be in touch with these leaders to discuss curriculum selection in the near future. As part of this evaluation, we will soon be offering a quarterly devotional by Our Daily Bread Ministries that will be placed throughout the church.

Another area of focus is a new small group study being launched to help our congregation to understand our foundational beliefs, our organizational structure, the many spiritual disciplines, and the numerous ways for our congregation to be involved in ministry at and beyond MTP. This program is being written by a church member and the Elders are evaluating the curriculum for it to begin in late February. More news will be provided as this exciting new 8-week program is rolled out for our congregation.

These exciting new opportunities and many others are on our plate to start the year. We welcome your prayers, any spiritual needs you may have, and all prayer requests. We are honored to shepherd and serve as your Elders for 2022.

• Vince Brown

• Steve Cranford

• Joe Hayworth

• Eric Hilton

• Kevin Logan

• Jay Payne

• Daniel Rich

• Bo Sink

• Jon Sloan

“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out!…” Acts 20:28-31a