“Pastor T, there are all these visitors coming to church that I don’t know, what should I do?” The first thing I would suggest is that you introduce yourself to them. You can introduce yourself before the service or after the service. (Preferably not during the service!) It can seem a little overwhelming when there are so many visitors coming to church but how about setting a goal to learn 2 names per week.

     Another suggestion I would make is to pray for the visitors. Some are coming to Ames from other states and are looking for a church to call “home.” Others are coming to us from churches within our community that no longer honor the Bible as the innerent, infallible Word of God but instead treat it like a book of suggestions that we can re-write to fit our own preferences. Others after a long period of prayer and wrestling with God are coming because they feel as though they have to find a new church to be nurtured and cared for in. Others have been introduced to Christ for the first time in their lives and are seeking to follow after Him. Each visitor has a unique story and I encourage you to learn what they are. Please pray for those who are visiting the church that Ascension can be a place where they are encouraged in their walk with the Lord and their gifts are used in service to Him and His church.

     Lastly I would see if there are ways that you can find for the new people to get involved. If you’re involved in Sunday School perhaps there is a way that they can be involved too. If you are involved in Altar Guild, or fellowship, or other ministry opportunities maybe you could see if they would be interested in those areas also. Look for ways for new people to get involved in the life of the church in meaningful ways.

     “Pastor T, what is the latest on the relocation efforts?” The first piece of the puzzle that is firmly in place is that Cathy and I have purchased a home on Buchanan Dr. and are starting to make some modifications to it before moving in. On Tuesday night, July 27, the city council is going to decide if they are going to approve the re-drawn lot lines for our three lots here at 7th and Kellogg. If they do, we should be able to close on the yellow house as early as this week. The city gave us 28 items to fix on the white house. 22 of those are done or close to done. 2 we still need to do and 4 the buyer has agreed to take on. Once we finish those last two items (one being the redoing of the fire escape from the third floor apartment which will likely take most of August plus & a whole bunch of painting) we should be able to close on the white house.

     The parsonage we’re probably not going to push too hard to sell simply because we need the space for offices alt="Made on a Mac" style="border: none; height: 50px; left: 280px; opacity: 0.50; position: absolute; top: 40px; width: 139px; z-index: 1; " id="id6" />