Taking Inventory
Before my wife and I moved to Charleston, we took a thorough inventory of everything in our Cincinnati home and compared it to the size of our new house. We lived in Cincinnati for fourteen years—the longest we’ve ever stayed in one place. We love settling into new ministry settings, building trust, and forming relationships. Of course, getting to know a community (and letting them get to know us) takes time.
Fourteen years is also an incredible amount of time to collect things you no longer need! Remember, we raised two boys and loved four different dogs during our time in Ohio. To tackle the clutter, we first looked through the house independently, and then we walked through it together to compare notes. We made lists of what we could leave behind, as well as a few things we would need to buy for our new home.
A business that doesn’t take regular inventory will soon find itself in financial trouble. A family that doesn’t take inventory might find itself in a big ol’ mess. Similarly, a church that doesn’t take inventory can't truly know what’s working well and what needs some extra attention.
To help us reflect on our mission, practicing inclusivity, justice, and faith in Christ, St. John’s Vestry prayerfully chose to partner with Renewal Works. This wonderful program focuses on the ministry of discipleship and how we can follow Christ one step at a time. To help us find ways to grow closer to Jesus, Renewal Works asks each of us to complete an online Spiritual Life Inventory.
The survey is completely anonymous. While I receive a weekly report showing how many people have participated, I have no way of knowing who took it. The entire process takes about twenty minutes. I know that in a world where everything is instantaneous, twenty minutes can feel like an eternity. But think about how much time we easily spend scrolling through social media, watching funny pet videos, or catching up on the news. Investing just twenty minutes in our spiritual health is a small step that can make a massive difference for our church family.
Please check your weekly email for the link, or contact the church office. There will also be stations set up on Sunday for you to take the survey.
In God’s Grace,
Eric L. Miller+
