NPC CrossWord August 06 Page 1

Though the heat index would say otherwise, it feels like summer is just about over. Granted, the 97 degree weather is not what makes me think of the turning season. Instead it is the school preparations.

Something new is happening in the Fry house. We are getting ready for school, as is August tradition. But for the first time, we are getting ready to send one away to school, not to bring with us to school. On Monday, 14 August, Kayla will begin kindergarten. It makes me well up a little bit just to type it. How can she possibly

be old enough? Our little girl is growing up, even though I’ve told her that she isn’t allowed so to do. To which she replied, “Daddy, I can’t help it. I have to grow up.”

She’s right too. Any organism has to either grow, or die. For several years now, when I go to a Presbytery meeting, or a cluster gathering, or any sort of event where there are other pastors around, I get asked the same question, usually by pastors who I think “don’t get it.” The questioners may change, but the question is the same. “Are you growing in Norcross?” Until recently, I have always replied “Yes, but not in number.” And then the pastors who really don’t get it would give a puzzled look. Some of the others, who sort of get it, would say things like, “That’s nice,” or “Good for you.” Recently, since we have added more members than we have lost this year I can say, “Yes, but not only in number.”

Think about some of the growth at NPC. Some of it is measurable. We have several new members this year, and the year is only a little more than half over. We have a new, dynamic order of worship that we have sort of invented, and grown into. And we have just hired a Youth Director, just to name a few. And there is more on the horizon, as we continue to look for a Director of Music Ministries. But much of the growth is not measurable, and not definable. But I believe it is clear that we have grown and are continuing to grow.

Maybe it is easy to be uncomfortable with growth. I am simultaneously excited and terrified about Kayla moving to kindergarten. But it is a reality that should not be stopped, and will produce different and exhilarating experiences for our family.

Who knows what the future holds for NPC, what ways we will grow in the coming months and years. Surely it will produce the same kind of mixture of excitement and fear. And just as surely, there will be things that are growing pains, as well as things in which we will rejoice. I’m excited that we get to grow together, and hold each other through the growing pains at the same time as we multiply our joys. Let us continue to,