Do you remember January 7, 2007? I do. Below are the opening words of my January 7 sermon:

"On December 31, 2007, I plan to be a different person than I am on January 7, 2007. I am going to be a more Christ-like person in character and in conduct than I am now. This public commitment is not the result of having some dark secret I need to confess. This is not attempt to be a more effective preacher, a more caring pastor, a more visionary leader, or a more attentive husband, parent, or grand parent. If I become more Christ-like in character and conduct, I should improve in those areas, but that skill or function improvement is not the objective of this journey. This need for change is the result of knowing myself and understanding human nature. I do not accidentally change for the good, and neither do you. We change for the good as the direct result of choosing to cooperate with God. We can make some modifications on our own, but our character is the direct result of God working with us. This year, I grant you the permission to hold me accountable. I invite you to ask me during the year if I am changing to be more Christ-like in character and conduct. I will answer you as honestly as I can. I may on occasion ask you."

For three months, change was the emphasis of our morning worship experiences. Many of you asked me during the year if I was changing. Thank you for caring enough to ask. Did I change in 2007? Perhaps I should ask if you observed changes in me. Here is my assessment: I did make some changes, not as many as I wanted or needed to make, but more than I would have made had I not made the commitment to change. I did change my prayer life. I prayed more regularly than any other year of my life. By changing the way I do my prayer journal, not only did I pray more often, but I also prayed about different concerns. In the process, God changed my attitude about some of things I prayed about. I also determined to become a more grateful person. I made progress, but I still have so far to go. In fact, I am more aware than ever of how much I have to be grateful for. I also have changed my attitude toward change. I not only know I should change, but I know with God's help, I can change.

On this last weekend of 2007, I am making a new commitment. I intend to continue to change be more Christ-like in character and conduct by the end of the 2008 than I am now. Please keep asking if I am changing.
Did you change to be more Christ-like in character and conduct? I hope so. I invite you to join with me for another year of change.

Your pastor,

Gary Fenton