June 4, 2005 - First and foremost, I would like to see us unafraid and unembarrassed in talking about Jesus Christ. I would like us to be able to share our stories with each other—and, very importantly, with visitors—about how we have grown in our discipleship (or attempted to) and the difference that Christ has made in our lives.  I would like to see us able to encourage each other more openly in this journey of faith.  I would like our Bible classes, whether for youth or adults, to keep ever before us the question, “What is the meaning of this passage for me as a follower of Jesus?  What can I carry from this class as I go out into the world as a Christian?” I would like our adult contemporary issues classes to do the same: not just provide forums for social and political discussions, but to engage us in exploring our Christian values as we grapple with the moral issues of our time.  It seems that we so fear becoming overly “evangelical”, that we avoid talking directly about Jesus at all.  I would like to see us get past that fear, to find our identity as followers of Christ without embarrassment or apology.

Secondly, I would like to see us develop active programs for individual and family counseling.  Bradley Hills has come far in addressing social, economic, and justice issues.  But, it seems to me, we are also called to help heal the brokenness in the personal lives of our members and in the lives of folks in the nearby community.  Behind the professional titles, behind the smiles and polite conversations, there lies much personal pain.  Many are struggling in their relationships with their spouses, their children, and with other members of their family, and they need guidance to help them reconnect and rebuild these relationships.  Other lives are weighted by guilt, anger, and resentment, and they don’t know how to remove those burdens. Individuals are enslaved by innumerable fears, obsessions, and addictions, and they do not know how to become free.  And all of us need support during times of loss or difficult changes in our lives.  Surely we are meant to be healers here as well.  I envision Bradley Hills providing well-trained, spiritually-based support, guidance, and counseling to bring  people the hope and healing which is fundamental to our Christian faith.

There are other hopes I have for our church: that our youth choir grows significantly in number and enthusiasm; that family retreats fill the cabins at Camp Letts; that the sanctuary be filled during Holy Week evening services; that Congregational Life can’t get enough theater tickets to meet demand.  This is my vision for our church.

Elder Mike Frenkel