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David wrote Psalms to praise
the Lord. He had "Caught the Vision."
All through the last 20
centuries, people who have caught the Christian Vision have been
moved to sing. Spencer Congregational Church knows
this practice well under the leadership of their current
Pastors, Tom and Wendy Van Tassel.
Congregational youth from the Iowa-Nebraska area have also
been treated at gatherings to the Van Tassel leadership in song, as have
many of our congregations at worship.
On January 12, 1872, eighteen people in and around Spencer,
Iowa, caught the vision, and that vision was translated by action into the
Spencer Congregational Church. Their vision included a building, in
which the congregation worshipped. Their next vision came together as a
new building, erected in 1893. The congregation worshiped and
visioned here until they built the present church, dedicated in 1954.
In January of 1997, Tom and
Wendy Van Tassell became co-pastors. Acting on new visions by the
congregation, Spencer Church is organizing a Women's Fellowship, an annual women's retreat, a
monthly Kids Club for elementary children, and busy junior and senior high
age Pilgrim Fellowship Groups. Their new Sunday School
Program is called "Connecting With Christ."
Involvement is strong and enthusiastic.
The theme for 2003-2004 is
"Catching God's Vision." The church recently held a highly successful
workshop on visioning, conducted by Rev. Patti Haaheim through
the NACCC's Church Development Division. One may argue that
Spencer Congregational Church has been engaged in visioning for over
130 years. They are on the move again with a new spirit and clear view.
All who know the Van Tassells
immediately mention their music. The Van Tassels bring a special
musical dimension to their congregation, to worship, and, indeed, to any
gathering of which they are a part. Playing instruments themselves, they
inspire others who do, and worship comes alive with modern, inspiring music all ages like to sing and hear.
Spencer Church has a vision _ of a world in which all praise the
Lord with hearts and mind and voices. They are bringing that vision to
reality.
Quotes worth remembering:
"If the primary role of leadership is creating and shaping
of ethos, then the pastor becomes a cultural
environmentalist."
-Rev. Mark Freier
I can't recall any moment
when Jesus said to his disciples "Believe the following five
things about me. No. What Jesus said was, "follow me."…Faith is
in the following.
-Dr. William Willimon, NA's Bible Lecturer - Spokane
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