July 17, 2011

 

Dear Members of Asbury's Purpose Driven Fellowship -

This morning, Pastors Dick Read visited with those who were present for the weekly gathering of PDF. For those who were present, this email is a summary of that time together. For those not present, this information is new and we wanted you to receive it directly from us rather hearing about it second-hand.

For several years, Purpose Driven Fellowship has been a dynamic gathering of single adults from throughout the Tulsa metropolitan area. Through PDF, single adults have connected in Christian fellowship, discipleship and service, and has been one of Asbury's strongest Discipleship Communities.

As you are likely aware, this year has been most challenging for PDF, resulting in a considerable number of PDF members leaving the group. The ones who have left have voiced significant disagreement with many who remain. Asbury's pastors have been aware of these disagreements and have discussed those with a number of people 'on each side' of the disagreement.

Speaking on behalf of the pastors and other key Asbury leaders, we believe this is an appropriate time for positive directional change. Therefore, we have begun working with a number of current PDF members toward the launching of a new Discipleship Community of single adults at Asbury.

Effective Sunday, July 31 at the conclusion of its Sunday gathering, the current PDF Community will officially dissolve. Beginning immediately a 'transitional' group - SEGUE Single Adults - will begin meeting every Sunday morning at 11 a.m. in room 2818. SEGUE Single Adults will continue meeting weekly until the launch of a new permanent Discipleship Community later in the year.

Several current PDF members will insure that your hospitality, care, social, outreach and communication continue uninterrupted during this time. And each Sunday morning during the transition period, Pastors Charlie, Jim and Dick will serve as your teaching team. We look forward to introducing the transitional leadership team to you next Sunday morning, July 24th.

Also on Sunday, July 24th, we will announce those who have agreed to serve as the design team for the new Discipleship Community to be launched later this year. This design team will have the exciting role of creating a new Community with a new name according to the mission, vision and objectives of Asbury, as well as reflecting the needs, desires and vision of Asbury's single adults.

We do realize that the end of PDF will bring sadness to some who have found great joy in your life together. If you find yourself with an unordinary depth of grief, please feel free to discuss that with the pastor of your choice.

We are about to enter into an exciting time together which we are confident will result in a long term sustainable single adult Discipleship Community that you will tremendously enjoy. It is our genuine hope that you will be a part of this transition toward this new Community!

Pastor Jim Lenderman

Pastor Dick Read

Pastor Charles Ryser