This is a saying that I have carried around in my wallet so long that I can’t remember where it came from. However, in reflecting on the past congregational year, it is a saying that seems to be appropriate. St. John has seen tremendous growth, in numbers, in activities, in facilities during the past few years. With that growth come challenges. We do not need to concern ourselves with the “how” of growth. He will provide the power. Our challenge as a Body is to ensure that the growth that we experience is considered, is consistent with our purpose, and is to His glory.

In the past year, our facilities continued to be utilized by numerous diverse organizations, from Girl Scouts, to Stepping Stones, to Families Anonymous. We again opened our doors to the families of service personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan for a Christmas party, and we hosted many community social events. Our Great Room was utilized by numerous basketball teams, including two high school teams, a junior varsity team, numerous AAU and Recreation League teams.

St John again hosted the 5th and 6th grade Upward Basketball teams for ten weeks in January, February, and March. This represented the third year that St. John has participated in this ministry along with five other churches in the Cave Spring area. The program grew this year to include cheerleaders as well as teams. It was indeed gratifying to see the large number of volunteers involved in this ministry as coaches, referees, co-coordinators, timekeepers, and scorekeepers, providing devotions, or just generally helping out. It was also gratifying to see numerous Youth serving as assistant coaches, as well as game referees. In addition, the Youth sold refreshments during the games to help support their Summer mission trip.

As this report is written, the St. John Council has given their approval to the formal lease agreement that will allow Faith Christian School to locate their 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes at St. John during the 2006-2007 school year. We look forward to hosting these boys and girls in the coming year.

As the activities at St. John continue to grow, much work has been done to develop and enhance our facilities. Final touches were made to our new parking lot with the completion of the landscaping and the addition of a sign on Merriman Road. In addition, major landscaping was accomplished on the steep banks outside of the Youth center as well as the Sanctuary. The church office was completely re-organized to provide more efficient operation, and new office equipment was installed. Finally, building security was improved by changing the locks on all outside doors. All old keys were recovered and new keys were distributed. Key holders were asked to sign an acknowledgement of the receipt of the key. St. John remains as accessible as it always has, but at least now we know who initially received a key.

Growth of activities and facilities has also resulted in numerous changes in church staff. A new part-time Bookkeeper position was defined, advertised and filled this year. This position off loads the day to day responsibilities from the church Treasurer, and locates this activity in the church office. In July, a new church Treasurer (Tom Noell) officially took over the duties from Genie Brown after over twenty years of dedicated service to the Body of St. John.

The resignations of our Minister of Music and our Minister of Relational programs early in 2006 necessitated some rethinking of how we should organize our staff. A team led by the worship and Music team was assembled to address our Music needs. In addition, a staffing proposal was developed and approved that significantly changed an Associate Pastor’s call as well as the Minister of Relational Programs position, and added two new positions, a full time Youth coordinator as well as a part time Children’s coordinator. We are currently in the process of filling the three vacant positions (Minister of Relational Programs, Youth coordinator, and children’s coordinator) on the church staff.

As we continue to grow, in numbers, in activities, in facilities, in our staff, we focus on how we as His stewards should utilize what we have been given. These are, indeed, exciting times to be part of the Body at St. John.

Peace,

Mike Agee

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