Church of the Apostles

Senior Warden's Letter

We need to stay focused on His path

--by Ron Cutler

Hello to My Apostles Family:

Well, it’s now Sunday afternoon and I just got home from Church and deleted the first Senior Warden’s letter I wrote last night. Today my eyes were opened to many things that I had drifted from and needed to get refocused. There are times we all seem to stray off center and need something to get us back on the path that HE has laid out for us. We cannot let our plan interfere with HIS plan.
Over the past three years, Apostles has been through some very emotional ups and downs, a real roller coaster ride. Our attendance has suffered to the point that from an average of over 250 per Sunday we are down to around 175. Many people left us because we were going to build an addition, because we were going to postpone the addition, the uncertainty of the National Church, or several personal issues. I am a strong believer in the strength of Church of the Apostles to face adversity and I cannot understand why some would leave for the reasons they did, but that is not for me to judge. Those of us who chose to “Stay the course” have a challenge ahead of us and each of us has a place in helping to steer the course laid out for us. God has provided us a beautiful home for Church of the Apostles but it is not the end of his plan. There is a reason HE gave us this start, but HIS plan goes beyond what we have.

Several congregations have withdrawn from the Diocese over issues with the National Church, yet the average attendance has increased, not declined as expected. Then why has our attendance declined? Yes, we are slowly growing, but very slowly, slower than the Diocese average. The answer lies not with just the Vestry or Fr. Rob or any one Ministry; it lies with-----ALL OF US! Yes, we all have a part in the rebuilding of this congregation. I see more and more members becoming involved but I also see so few doing so much. More input, more time and talents, more volunteers, more willingness to step forward and maybe doing something they never did before, stepping out of their comfort zone can be surprisingly exciting. We are FAMILY and families work as a team, not individuals. Too often I hear “I don’t have time”, “I can’t do that,” “I don’t know how”, “I don’t have anything to contribute”, “been there, done that” and many times that might be true, but next time ask yourself, am I missing an opportunity to really be a contributor to Gods work at Apostles. Is this a calling? While we have been on this roller coaster for a while we are on the upswing and we need everyone to join in and put us back on the path He has planned for us. I know that God has given us this home, He has put each of us together for a reason and I know that when He feels we are ready he will answer our Prayers, and fill this home. Then we will reach out and bring many more people to know of Christ’s love and the Holy Spirit. IT IS OUR CALLING!

As my three years come to an end I want to thank you for allowing me the privilege of being on your Vestry and to thank Fr. Rob for the year and a half as his Senior Warden. It has been a very up and down three years, but I do feel it has been very productive. The church is on solid ground and in spite of slower than desired recovery, recovery is happening. As for the other three going off the Vestry this year, Bob Clifton, Gayle Porter and Sharon Broussard (AKA WHN), your input was so valuable to this Vestry and you will be missed for the clean, clear leadership you displayed. To my Apostles Family, “Remember, this is YOUR Vestry. Your participation, your input, your ideas, your dreams for Apostles, winds of change, seeds for growth will only come with your recognition, acceptance and especially, your communicating with the Vestry. They need you very much!”

Love and Pax

Ron