On July 2, 2009 I received an exciting letter that gives testimony to the wonderful job that we are doing here at Burton Memorial. I thought I would share it with you:
Dear Rev. Kerry,
I am writing on behalf of the Florida Conference Cabinet to let you know that your congregation was mentioned recently as we celebrated congregations that are living into the practice of Passionate Worship in an exemplary fashion.
-Romans 12:1 (The Message)
Gil Rendell, formerly from the Alban Institute, shared with us that congregations and conferences get more of whatever they focus upon. Choose to focus on problems…and that’s what grows in your organization. Focus on those that are doing exactly what you hope for…and that’s what will increase. So, we are choosing to focus upon the evidence of God at work in congregations across our conference. In every district, that are congregations who are joining Jesus in ministry to their communities in ways that are both faithful and fruitful. We have much to celebrate! And your congregation is one for whom we give thanks to God.
Your congregations were mentioned in our Cabinet meeting as exemplary in Passionate Worship particularly in regards to your creativity when starting multiple services.
I hope that you will share with your congregation the Cabinet’s appreciation for their faithful and fruitful ministry in your community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jeff Stiggins
Office of Congregational Transformation
Keep up the Good Work Burton. It is a nice thing to be recognized @ the conference level for the ministries that are changing lives down here in the Upper Keys. – Kerry Foote
Cultivating a Congregation Capable of Passionate Worship
"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering.
