Thoughts From Your Regional Minister
By Larry Ross, Interim Co-Regional Minister
I hate goodbyes, so I will not use that word. “Fare Thee Well” is better. Our paths will cross again, for in the world of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we have a delightful way of running into one another! I know this: I will never traverse Kansas again without thinking of the fine clergy and laity of the Kansas Region.
I have enjoyed being your Interim Co-Regional Minister these last eight months, working with the rest of the staff. I am especially grateful to Co-Regional Minister Ken Marston for his patience, and to Moderator Laurie Lewis for her faith in me. This Region is in good hands as it welcomes Rev. Tom Stanley in August.
A special word of thanks to those who hosted clergy cluster gatherings each month, and to the many who responded to the call to help guide programs, keep track of administrative and financial needs, run the camp and youth ministries, dream of church starts, and do justice work.
Ken tells me that I ask good questions, so I want to leave you with a few. If the role of the Region is to ‘Connect and Equip’ you to do the work of the church, what IS that work?
Here’s what I think: that the Church exists to worship a marvelous God, to lead others into a right relationship with God, to bring people under our care to spiritual maturity, to reach out as representatives of Christ to a fragmented world, and to take care of one another. How can this region help you, the Church, do these better?
As for my plans, I hope to enjoy a few weeks of rest before God reveals the next work God has for me. In September I will mark 50 years of ministry, but I am not finished yet.
Let my last words in The Kansas Messenger be these from I Thessalonians 5:16-17(NIV): “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”