Deep Shift Transformation Update - March 25, 2008

During the first two and a half weeks of this month, Jeanette and I joined our daughters, Julia and Laura to tour some of beautiful New Zealand.  We had a wonderful time!

On one of the Sundays, I had the fortune of visiting a small Presbyterian church in Queenstown on the south island.  During the worship service, the pastor invited folks to share experiences.  A theology student, Heather Deifell, visiting from North Carolina told about her and her sister Hope's travels around the world ?seeking the body of Christ'.  They had covered a lot of territory and had been amazed by God's hand in their travels.  For me, the coincidence of meeting them in this place was compelling - given that I was half way around the world and so were they.  And wouldn't you know it?  They were well acquainted with Fletcher Padoko and his Kasupe ministry in Malawi!  I hope to have one or both of them come to Ashland to share some of their experiences this summer.

As I thought about their trek, I wondered: Would a visitor to Cockeysville experience the body of Christ at Ashland?  What does ?being the body of Christ' look and feel like?  I think that, in part, we hope to begin to answer those questions for ourselves during our Deep Shift transformation.  Not only Ashland, but the church at large, is challenged by the deep changes that have occurred in our communities and cultures during the last 50 years.  As Fletcher Padoko pointed out to us during Advent, in our vastly affluent nation, the percentage of practicing Christians is, and has been, on the decline.  It is quite the opposite in Africa where some 85 percent are Christians.  Do we believe that we don't need God?

As I recounted in the last newsletter article, the Session has received the Deep Shift report that was submitted by Denise Van Eck at the end of phase one.  Phase one was primarily an information gathering time for Denise using on site visits, surveys and phone calls.  The Session received the report and has embraced the recommendations for our phase two efforts.  That effort will begin in earnest next week when Denise is on site at Ashland to meet with Brett, a few small groups, the Session and with the congregation.  The entire congregation is invited to come to the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday evening, April 2 at 5:30 p.m.  Denise will provide an overview of our process, answer questions and then guide us into phase two.  A light dinner will be provided and child care will be available in classroom four.

Please make every effort to attend or have at least one member of your family in attendance.  This is important to Ashland's future and we want representation from all members and friends of Ashland.

Elder Ron Baldwin