The monthly meeting of the Elders of Omaha Bible Church was held in person, Tuesday night, August 17. It was a great encouragement to meet live, face-to-face, and not over Zoom.

Pastor Pat opened in prayer, giving thanks for God’s steadfast love and asking for wisdom for the pastors and elders to lead the body at OBC. As is our custom, we continued with our reading of the London Baptist Confession of 1689.

If you have not done so already, I recommend you read Mike Grime’s July book review of J. V. Fesko’s The Need for Creeds Today: Confessional Faith in a Faithless Age.

Better yet, you can read the confession along with the elders. Next month we will be reading Chapter 23.

Next on the agenda was a review of giving, attendance, and the financial report for July. Month by month, we give thanks for God’s provision through the body in support of the ministry at OBC.

Though the month of July was under budget, our yearly giving is well above budget. Because of the body’s generous giving, and with consideration and prayer, the elders approved a greater than 14 percent increase in the budget for the coming fiscal year.

After several years maintaining a flat budget, we are excited to see what fruit God will bring through the expanded ministries of the church.

The elders were also pleased to approve the renewal of another term of service for John Schmoll and Willie Zwiener. We are thankful for the contribution of all six of our deacons. Please pray for God’s blessing on their service.

Regarding service, I hope you have been encouraged by Pastor Pat’s sermons in the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians. In Chapter 4 we learn that part of the work of the shepherds and teachers is to equip the saints (that is every Christian) for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

With the start of a new ministry year, there is much opportunity. Pray for how the Lord would use you in service to others.