The definition of the word ‘thrive’ according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary is “To grow; to advance; to increase or advance in anything valuable.”

The Bible tells us in Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” In this passage, we are challenged to grow and advance in our relationship with Jesus. We have something valuable, our faith in Christ; advancing or thriving for that is to be our life long pursuit.

Pastor Don has launched his dream for the PennDel Ministry Network in the future – “Healthy Pastors, Thriving Churches,” with the idea that when we have healthy pastors, we will have thriving churches. That is our goal – we want to see our pastors healthy and growing closer to Jesus, so our church families can thrive and grow closer to Jesus. Many of us may not be there yet, but we press on. We must press on. We must grow in our faith and knowledge of Jesus. For if we do not grow, our congregations will suffer the consequences of our ineffectiveness. We must look for opportunities to grow.

I want to share with you two opportunities to grow and thrive. The first is the PennDel School of Ministry (PDSOM). Our PDSOM is thriving for sure. We have seen exponential growth over the past few years, adding a fourth campus in Philadelphia. Men and women are growing, gaining tools for daily life and for ministry through these learning opportunities.

One other opportunity to grow and thrive is through the ordination experience. I believe the ordination experience is not merely a ceremony but a time of greater anointing. When the presbyters lay their hands and pray over the ordination candidates and Pastor Don speaks the Word of God over them, I believe the power of God flows into their lives and they thrive.

If you have been licensed for at least 2 years, a minimum of 23 years of age and have accomplished the academic requirements, please contact me (jeff@penndel.org) or Lynette (lynette@penndel.org) for an ordination application. This year we have some GREAT news – if you are currently at the licensed level, you are not required to take another exam. All you have to do is contact our office and request an application to begin the process. We must receive your application before September 15 in order to be interviewed in January and to take part in the ordination service in May. The ordination celebration will take place in Pittsburgh this year at Allison Park Church on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.

The church today must do more than survive – it must THRIVE