By: David Tom

What an interesting time we live in. There are probably many other words other than interesting that could be used to define these times. However, I chose interesting. I chose that word because all of the other words that come to mind are limiting. So, interesting seems unlimited.

If these times are interesting then we should be interested, right? As Lay Leader, one of my jobs is to try and assess what interests the individuals in the congregation and the congregation as a whole. Often, I conflate my interests with those of others. I suspect we all do that and it is not necessarily a bad thing. However, as Lay Leader, I need to be a little more discerning.

At the risk of the conflation thing, I’m determined to assess what the individuals and the collective Desert Chapel congregants hold dear as interests. As an 81-year old, I’m about at the average age of our congregation. However, I am trying to assess interests not averages.

Judging strictly by observations, most, if not all, are interested in hearing a “good” sermon. I suspect we can check off that box. We are blessed to have a Pastor, retired pastors, and several Lay persons who satisfy our need for a traditional Bible centered message.

Prayer, prayful reflection, and intentionally asking for intervention all have been a needed part of our Desert Chapel ministry.

Traditional Hymnal-based music is certainly an expressed interest of the congregation as a whole. We are blessed with a pianist that can provide the traditional and blend that into refreshing classical renditions that regularly spark spontaneous approval as well as emotional introspection.

Like the variety of Pulpit messengers, we are blessed with other musicians both vocal and instrumental to help fulfill the melodic needs. Unfortunately, our aging singers and ringers have made it difficult to maintain the choral music at a level to match our congregational interests/needs.

Another ministry that contributes to interesting times at Desert Chapel is that of outreach and community service. Clearly, we have had a robust feeding and clothing ministry for almost 25 years. And, equally clear, those ministries are an integral part of the soul of Desert Chapel. Interesting times are continually created by both, transactional and transformational services rendered by the Clothing Closet, Blessing Box, Avalon School, Operation Christmas Child, Congregational Care, Thanksgiving Boxes, and Community Feast.