Pastor's Perspective for Salem in 2012

Salem has faced many challenges in her storied 218 year history. While we celebrate the past we cannot live there. At this moment, we stand at a crucial crossroads. The past is behind us. Ahead is the future. Any casual survey of our congregation on a Sunday morning is a stark reminder of our need to make disciples of all ages and all ethnicities. The challenges that lie before us are great. Thankfully, our God is greater and able to do abundantly above all we can ask or think (Eph. 3:20). If we are faithful to run the race God would have us run it will inevitably lead to His blessings.

Now more than ever we must aggressively work to ensure that future generations share in this work. Thus, we are beginning a process of church revitalization. This revitalization is aimed at the spiritual health of our church. Church health not church growth is the key factor to Salem’s future. Only God can make this happen. Only Christ can build His church (Mt. 16:18).This means we must boldly go forward together by faith looking to the God of the Word and the Word of God as our guide for all that we do. If we will be faithful to do God’s work God’s way, we can be assured of a bright future.

At the heart of Salem running the race in 2012 is two questions. First, who are we? Second, what are we to do? As to who we are, Salem is an evangelical church of disciples of Jesus Christ who are seeking to glorify God by bringing others into the knowledge of Him through a living relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

Who we are effects what we do. Nowhere is the glory of the living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, more clearly communicated than in the written Word, the Scriptures. As a church, we seek to communicate and impart biblical truth. The Word of God is sufficient to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry and to bring those outside of Christ into the knowledge of the truth.

Simply stated, we seek to make disciples and grow disciples (Mt. 28:18-20).

As we together run the race in 2012, may we embody the words of 18th century Baptist missionary William Carey, “attempt great things for God, expect great things from God.” I remain,

Your Servant in Christ,

Thad L. Key
Pastor/Teacher