February 11, 2003

Missions Committee

Brooks Ave. Church of Christ

700 Brooks Ave.

Raleigh, NC 27607

RE: fourth quarter/annual report Dear brothers and sisters,

We pray that this letter finds you all doing well and being blessed in your own service to our Lord. All the family here send their greetings, love and appreciation to all of you there.

For the fourth quarter of 2002, our Sunday worship attendance averaged 59, which was significantly lower than the 67 average for the first quarter of the year. A number of factors have contributed to that decline, the first and primary one being that some of our family here have been undergoing serious spiritual struggles that have affected their attendance. These people have not been struggling alone, as many in the church have been reaching out to and encouraging them. Here at the beginning of the year we are seeing the fruit of that love. One brother (a recovering alcoholic) who had been struggling was restored to our fellowship in recent weeks. Another factor has been illness. Several of our members (particularly some of our older members) suffer from ongoing illnesses and the past few months many of them have not been able to be with us as they are accustomed to. We have also had one family (a single mom and her two sons) to begin worshiping with another church closer to their home.

The average worship attendance for the year was 64. That compares to an average of 65 for 2001 and 63 for 2000. The attendance numbers have been steady over this three year period. On the one hand, that can be viewed as a good sign. On the other hand, it does not reflect significant overall growth, which is a concern to us.

At our elders’ retreat last October we spent our time addressing several issues related to our family here. The lack of growth and the decline in attendance we see as being largely rooted in spiritual issues. We have adopted the theme of “Who Are We?” for 2003. In developing this theme we will be focusing on our identity, character and mission as the people of God. In this opening quarter of the year I have been preaching a sermon series on discipleship, calling our people to more than “churchianity.” focusing on the nature and commitment of authentic discipleship. Each quarter will feature either a sermon series, class or seminar highlighting the theme.

One of the things we have been encouraged about is the level of financial giving from our family. Despite the fact that five of our families lost their jobs in the past year, the average weekly congregational offering for the fourth quarter was $*. That includes a fifth Sunday contribution for our building fund, which tends to be a little higher than normal. For the year, the average weekly contribution was $*, just a little shy of the $* needed weekly from our members (this figure does not reflect our outside support).

We face several challenges in the year ahead. One of them is financial. Our outside support for 2002 was $*. For 2003 that amount will be reduced to $*. That is partly by our design and partly by the need of some of our contributors. We are certain, though, that by the grace of God the challenge will be met. The other challenges are spiritual. We will also be focusing on equipping for evangelism in the year ahead, expanding an already strong corporate prayer focus, the appointment of deacons for needed ministries, shepherding by the elders, and the initiation of a men’s ministry. For these challenges, we are even more confident that God’s grace will empower and provide.

On behalf of the elders and the church family, we want to thank you for your support over the past year and for your help in the current year. If at all possible, we would love for some of you to come and share in worship with us one Sunday this year. It would be good for our folks to put faces with the names they have been hearing about, and I know you would be blessed by meeting our family. The door is always open!

May God bless you in all your efforts for His glory.