Pastoral Reflections Rev. Dr. Jack Haberer


Beloved FPCA Friend,


When accepting the call last year to serve as lead pastor of First Presbyterian Allentown, I didn’t see this church as a problem to solve but a legacy to nurture. Now, six months into our time together, I am even more amazed, more excited, more thrilled to be serving with you.


One assumption I always bring into a church is the confidence that God has brought these


folks together, having gifted them to do significant, creative, and diverse ministry custom-made for their community context. My service with them begins with learning what God already has been teaching them and guiding them to do. From there I look for ways to further equip and empower those ministries, to utilize the pulpit to share insights into Christ’s transforming grace, and gradually to encourage exploration of new possibilities awaiting further cultivation.


As suggested above, my first positive impressions have been enlarged by discovering so many thriving ministries here. From an expansive and diverse music and arts ministry to deep and broad faith convictions; from loving care of members in need to groundbreaking inner-city mission efforts; from eager sincerity pervading the staff and congregational leaders to enthusiasm bubbling up among so many children and students—our life together is thriving, as showcased throughout this edition of Tidings.


Even disheartening reports of shrinkage among our NextGen ministries have proven to be greatly exaggerated: In contrast to an internal poll reporting that 84 percent of our members think the number of infants through 18-year-olds


participating on Sundays is less than 120, the actual number is about 180. Indeed, that youth attendance is more than triple the total worship attendance—all ages—of more than half of all Presbyterian churches across the country (many of which have zero worshipers under age 50).


Still, over these six months my search to discern with you God’s directions for our future together has generated a set of BHAGs—“big, hairy, audacious goals” (a popular tongue-in- cheek acronym in the business administration world). A few of them:


• One soon to take shape: constructing playgrounds for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12


• Upgrading classroom spaces for children and shifting to a “workshop rotation” model of Church School,


with elements so vivid, exciting, and nurturing that our young ones will eagerly ask their parents every morning, “Is this Sunday School day?”


• Developing a partnership with a downtown congregation so we can increase our ministry presence


in the city and learn from the new friends we will make


• Developing a systematic process of welcoming and incorporating new members into the life of our church


• Cultivating a prayerfulness that drives us closer to God and stands in the gap as both visitors of and


intercessors for those who are sick, scared, or lost


• Organizing adult learning opportunities, including small groups, workshops on marriage and parenting skills, and


lectureships on Bible, theology, and current issues (like the Cultural Humility presentations we had in February)


• Organizing an annual “Mission Blitz Day” to give us a hands-on experience of partnering with others in


service to our neighbors


Tere are dozens of other BHAGs to add—and I hope you’ll add some of your own so that we together may explore new possibilities awaiting further cultivation.


Grace and peace to you and yours,


“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have


entertained angels without knowing it.” —HEBREWS 13:2


3


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