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Growth at Christ Church Cordele

The Episcopal Church in Cordele is enjoying significant growth. Building on the hard work of the congregation’s lay leadership and the Rev. Dr. Larry Williams, who the church called in 2014, the mission is growing numerically and spiritually.

More than 15 years ago, Bishop Louttit and Diocesan leaders chose to end all direct support to mission congregations. Some in Cordele recall it as a “sink or swim” moment. They decided to swim. More than a decade ago, the mission began Worship on the Water (WOW) each summer on the resort dock at the state park on Lake Blackshear.

Today Christ Church, Cordele, consists of 150 baptized persons. So far this year, the church celebrated six baptisms and on June 7, 8 adults were confirmed or received. The Operating Budget in 2014 was $95,260, and this year it is $143,792.

For years, Christ Church had two services in the summer beginning with Memorial Day and ending on Labor Day. Worship on the Water and the church in town services were conducted at the same time: 9 a.m.  A change was needed so the clergy could preside and preach at both. Having gone through a discernment process, the Vestry with the support of the congregation, made a decision to go to two services on Sunday, one at 9 a.m. and the other at 11 a.m. During the summer, the 9 a.m. is hosted on the water and the 11 a.m. in town. Since April 12, the average attendance for both stands at 90, up from 71 in 2013.

Christ Church member Robby Stripling said, “WOW and our outreach are probably the key ingredients to our success.” Further explaining the growth, he said, “Father Larry has brought new energy. Allowing for two services and having Larry preach at both has increased engagement at services and with the church.”
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Christ Church has an excellent track record at connecting with the city of Cordele. First there was the Soup Kitchen, then came the Dennis J. Reddick Scholarship Memorial Golf Tournament, next Worship on the Water was born, then there was Relay for Life, the monthly Food Pantry, and their commitment to Episcopal Relief and Development.

Additionally in the past year, the mission added a formal Christian Education program for children and youth with 27 children on the rolls.

Williams said, “Growth can be messy. It is not all about the numbers.” He added, “Our goal is to balance our commitment to tasks with an equal commitment to relationships.” Stripling added, “I’m extremely proud of the church. We made a committed effort to grow and we have grown.”

Diocesan Council approved Christ Church Cordele for a grant from the Campaign for Congregational Development. Since giving to the Campaign has not yet permitted fully funding that grant, the Diocese has partnered with Christ Church by paying for the cost of insurance for the Vicar to enable the congregation to bring Williams on board. This relatively small amount of support from the Campaign has leveraged the strong foundation created by the lay leadership to foster further growth.

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