SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 23, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ – 

    Second Presbyterian Church is not the place it was five, ten,  fifteen, fifty years ago– or even last year. With every passing season, our congregation, community and culture changes. Many of the goals set during the previous years have been achieved to one extent or another. We also have discovered new gifts and talents that are finding their place in our ministry. Since the church is a dynamic body with a dynamic relationship with God, it is easy to see that if we are wise, we continually seek discernment. And so: this weekend with Stan Ott. 

    I’ve been aware of Rev. Dr. E. Stanley Ott for years encountering him at conferences, reading his articles, listening to his podcast. Stan has over thirty years of first-hand knowledge of the hard work and challenges that lead to the blessings of being a transformational congregation. He has served three vibrant congregations and is President of Leading Moments ®, LLC and founder of the Vital Churches Institute. His passion is the transformation of the local church and the encouragement of those who follow Jesus. He recently led a number of local churches through the Acts 15:6 Initiative. “So the churches were strengthened in faith and increased in numbers daily.”    

    A hallmark of this Initiative is the fact that Stan is a Pastor and teaches with a Pastor’s heart. His concern is not the ego of pastors or members, but instead the vitality and spiritual growth of congregations. He truly believes that while there are things about a church that may not be working, we must honor who we are and what the past has taught us while boldly stepping into the future into which the Spirit is leading. 

    Second Church, we’re in for a treat this weekend. We have a guest, we have a teacher, a preacher - a specialist for Jesus. 

• This evening the Deacons and Elders meet. 

• Tomorrow everyone’s invited

• Sunday Rev. Ott will teach Sunday School and preach – the text is Matthew 9:36-10:5a “See Yourself as Sent”

    What an opportunity we have to listen, learn, question and celebrate God’s continued blessing and calling of the Second Presbyterian Church of Charleston and it’s Suburbs.

    I invite everyone to come. We have our challenges which we acknowledge, and we have this opportunity to hear from an objective servant of the living God to aid us in discernment and planning.   

    Please take advantage of this moment for our church.

In great anticipation,