Siglo XVIII

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SOUTHWOOD contents ABOUT THIS ISSUE Many people have made New Year’s resolutions. Some might even stick to them! Well, over six years ago, Southwood resolved to streamline communication— fewer postcards and letters—and offer one monthly publication to keep the congregation and our friends informed about our church life. BRANCHES is that tool. Alongside digital communication, we are excited to put this tangible publication on your coffee tables and in your magazine racks. If you know anyone who would like to receive a copy, call or send us an email. And of course, we offer a digital online version as well. This month’s issue helps frame the Express Grace Conference that is happening this month. Get focused on why this weekend exists and the opportunities you have to get involved! We’ve got an outstanding speaker in Scotty Smith, and a great evening planned for dinner, dessert, and dialog with our ministry partners and each other! Jonathan Barnette, Editor 2 about this issue 3 pastors' note REFLECT 4 your gospel is too small Living in the hope of Heaven 8 express grace Conference and missionary list RELATE 10 session update Interim transition and update 11 on a personal note A letter from Will Spink to the Southwood congregation BRANCHES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jonathan Barnette DESIGNER Phillip Lackey CONTRIBUTORS Will Spink Chad Townsley Sarah Niemitz Scotty Smith PHOTOS Jonathan Barnette Phillip Lackey FEEDBACK! We want to hear from you! Please send your suggestions and comments to branches@southwood.org 1000 CARL T. JONES DRIVE | HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35802 (256) 882-3085 | WWW.SOUTHWOOD.ORG MELISSA PATTERSON Interim Administrative Director ADULT MINISTRIES SARAH NIEMITZ Director of Community Development/Assimilation JAMES PARKER Chief Musician WILL SPINK Associate Pastor/Shepherding STUDENT MINISTRIES KIM DELCHAMPS Administrative Assistant NIÑA BANTA Director of Children NANCY McCREIGHT Assistant Director /Children/Nursery CHAD TOWNSLEY Associate Pastor/High-Life WINNIE WINFORD Assistant Director/High-Life MINISTRY SUPPORT TERRI GOOD Accountant/Bookkeeper JONATHAN BARNETTE Director of Communication PHILLIP LACKEY Graphic Designer JANICE CROWSON Director of Facilities/Finance MIKE MARREN Facilities ELIZABETH BUTZ Receptionist UPCOMING EVENTS Small Groups: Next Wave January 11 Kids Sunday School resumes January 11 Host Team Huddle January 11 Express Grace Conference January 17-18 2 JANUARY 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG
PASTORS’ NOTE Seriously, a Pastor's Note with the apostrophe moved over? Are we that corny? Well yes, we are, but there’s actually a reason we intentionally wanted to write this together. We will only do it this one time, but we want you to know how excited we are to be your pastors. While we and all of Southwood certainly feel a significant loss with Jean’s departure, we hope you will think of this upcoming season not as one where we are a church without a pastor but rather as one where we are a church with two pastors. In fact, since the word “pastor” really means “shepherd,” it would be even better to consider all the elders God has called to shepherd this church and realize you have a dozen or so (and counting) “pastors.” We would further encourage you to think beyond simply the elected and ordained leadership of Southwood to the members of the body that God has richly blessed us with. A season of transition is a time to lean into each, to realize even more than usual how much we need each other and how valuable each member of the body is. What a great gift that God has called us to experience the riches of his grace not merely on our own but also alongside others who have tasted his love! This is one of the great truths we will get to celebrate as we begin a study of the book of Ephesians in January. When your Southwood pastors are in the pulpit, we will be diving into this rich letter to the church in Ephesus that will show us God’s heart for unity and the bonds of peace found in and through the gospel. God (through you) has called both of us to shepherd through the preaching at Southwood right now, and we are eager to do so. The Good Shepherd Chad Townsley & Will Spink We will also have the opportunity during this next season to benefit from the teaching and preaching of guest pastors, who will feed us from God’s Word. One instance of this will be our Express Grace Conference, coming quickly on January 17 and 18, when we are hosting Scotty Smith. You will not want to miss this great opportunity to hear from a seasoned pastor who oozes grace and is one of the most beloved teachers of the gospel in our denomination. You will have three chances to hear Scotty speak; please come to all three! As you will read in this issue, though, the conference is not merely about Scotty speaking. There will be many opportunities Saturday night and Sunday morning to learn more about where Southwood is serving locally and globally and how you can be a part of showing to others the love of Christ that we have received ourselves. What a great time for each of us to consider where God might call us to be using our gifts to show others the gospel—Southwood continues to be about experiencing AND expressing grace! Now back to how many “pastors” we have. It’s not 0. It’s at least 2. But in a sense that is not trite at all, we continue to have 1. Southwood has always had one Good Shepherd, and she still does today. And this is actually the most important answer to the question for each of us to remember. The riches of God’s grace have not come to any of us first through a pastor. They always come to us through Jesus Christ. He has laid down his life for the sheep, and yet He lives today to care for them and lead them beside quiet waters. It is faithfulness, not presumption, to believe that He will continue to do that during this next season. What a good Pastor we have! chad.townsley@southwood.org will.spink@southwood.org @thectown | @WillSpink JANUARY 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG 3
Page 1: BRANCHES YOUR GOSPEL IS TOO SMALL l
Page 5 and 6: YOUR GOSPEL ...iS TOO SMALL
Page 7 and 8: eflect SOUTHWOOD agenda than simply
Page 9 and 10: eflect SOUTHWOOD Partners Represent
Page 11 and 12: elate SOUTHWOOD ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Siglo XVIII

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