Reimagining Our Future: Looking Toward the Next Century
During the course of the year, we’ve been blessed by the opportunity to Remember Our Past, Rejoice in Our Present and begin to Reimagine Our Future at BBC.
Through stories, we’ve been inspired and humbled by the faithfulness and boldness of those who preceded us. We’ve been moved by their commitment to be a loving community of believers and a beacon of light for 200 years. We’ve been reminded of how God blesses and works through people who seek to honor and glorify Him.
For two centuries, BBC has been a place of refuge for thousands of people. A place where, as Jill Scalise recently stated, babies have been dedicated, marriages united, believers baptized, families and friends mourned the passing of loved ones, friendships deepened and faiths have grown.
It has also been a community of Christ followers, which has generously shared God’s love and resources with people on Cape Cod, as well as locations as far away as Northeast India; Sofia, Bulgaria; and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
We can only begin to comprehend the countless number of people here on Cape Cod, across the nation, and beyond, whose lives have been touched and transformed by God’s ministry at BBC. Though it’s likely that those before us did not fully foresee the magnitude of what God had in store, they did faithfully discern God’s call and boldly acted by trusting in God’s provision and abundant generosity. In many ways, their faithfulness set the path for us, and for future generations, to follow.
We enter the third century of God’s ministry at BBC with excitement and eager anticipation as we commit to continue to be a unified community of diverse, loving disciples, growing in spiritual maturity, following Jesus by actively sharing in God’s mission to transform the world.
In imagining the future of God’s church in Brewster, we do so with an eye toward continuing to be a beacon of light to a world that desperately needs it. To be a unified constellation of shining lights who:
- Embody the Fruit of the Spirit,
- Engage in spiritual disciplines to help grow in our relationship with Christ and God,
- Use our spiritual gifts to glorify God and build up and serve others,
- Are capable and confident in sharing about Jesus with others, and
- Generously share our resources and time.
Over the past four years, while, sadly, churches across the United States have either closed or significantly scaled back their ministry, BBC continues to follow the example set by our predecessors by making significant investments that build on the church’s solid foundation. For example:
- In August of 2020, to enhance the worship experience, we welcomed Pastor Joe Greemore as Pastor of Worship, his wife, Shelby, and their three children, Corbany, Addyson and Greyson.
- In March of 2023, to meet the needs of families in our care, Gwyneth Preu joined the staff as Family Ministry Coordinator, and
- In August of 2024, with a focus on Spiritual Formation and Student Ministry, Pastor Nate Ryan and his wife, Jennie, returned to his home church to serve as Pastor of Discipleship
These and other investments required all of us — the current stewards of God’s church in Brewster — to step out in faith. We are grateful for your encouragement and faithfulness. We can see the fruit that these investments have produced in such a brief period of time. We’ve seen an increase in the number of people attending worship, both in person and online. More church events have provided greater opportunities for people, including families with young children, to come together in fellowship. We’ve also seen an increase in the number of people participating in Small Groups and Bible Studies.
As we enter the next century of the church, we are blessed to be in a position to build on 200 years of generated momentum. There is much in the works for 2025! We’re eager to see what God has in store in the upcoming year, as we launch Alpha, a Spiritual Gifts class and the Reading the Bible in a Year initiative. We’re also excited about the opportunity to offer some new church-wide service opportunities in 2025. And, if 2024 is any indication, 2025 will be another year of moving and inspiring worship.
As has been the case over these past 200 years, the world continues to change, but, as Pastor Doug notes, our calling remains as urgent and important as ever. We are committed to continue to build on the church’s rich tradition and foundation as we seek new and innovative ways to reach and minister to people who are entrusted to our care.
These ways may include embracing the use of new technologies, and enhancing existing or launching new ministries and programs. Whatever we do, we do so with the commitment to continue to stay true to the Mission and Vision of BBC. We will remain centered on being a community of diverse followers of Jesus who seek to grow in faith and share God’s love and grace with each other and the world.
In addition to staying true to the church’s Mission and Vision, we will seek to remain true to BBC’s “DNA” — a DNA that is reflected in the loving and kind people who are focused on generosity and the pursuit of excellence. We will remain a church that exists for the benefit of others, particularly those who are not part of BBC. And, we will continue to be a church that Pastor Doug describes as “both/and”, one that welcomes people of all generations, socio-economic, political, ethnic, racial and other backgrounds.
As all of us collectively reimagine the church, we will prayerfully discern God’s direction, and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, respond to that direction with confidence in knowing and trusting in God’s faithfulness and provision.
We are grateful for all of you who are members of the BBC family. As it has been for two centuries, we are able to accomplish God’s work at BBC because of your faithfulness and generosity in giving of your time, talents and resources. Together with all of you, we look forward to taking our place in the history of God’s church in Brewster. May God continue to bless each of you. May God continue to bless BBC.