Ed Allred

My earliest memories are times spent with other Christians and learning what it means to be a part of the body of Christ. I put Christ on in baptism in May at age eleven. The Russell Avenue Church of Christ in Abilene nurtured me through my growing-up years. Almost every Sunday I would sit with my paternal grandmother, whose example and unwavering confidence in me, was a guiding force in my spiritual life. In high school virtually every Thursday night was spent in Bible study in the home of a Highland family where we kids would sit at the feet of John Allen Chalk, Lynn Anderson, or Randy Becton. Randy taught us to be "approachable Christians" Since before Marsha and I married, we have been partof a small group of families that has challenged me and kept me accountable. My marriage to Marsha and our daughter Lauren has constantly helped me focuson my life as a Christian man.

A heart of prayer should characterize the shepherd. Never be fearful or doubtful of approaching our heavenly Father. There are so many needs in the body and one must pray believing that God will answer, even if the answer is different from what we perceive it should be. As a shepherd, one should guide others to pastures green with hope.

The shepherd should be approachable. He should instill trust in his flock. People should always be assured that they can go to the shepherd and not be judged. In a world that is either too quick to judge or so tolerant that it is devoid of wisdom, people must know they are loved regardless of their circumstances in life. The shepherd then is able to show the path that will lead one to make well informed, Christ-centered decisions.

Involvement in the life of the flock is essential. A shepherd must "smell like sheep." By example the shepherd must move among various ministries, encouraging and facilitating the work that others see as their calling. Indeed, the shepherd should also focus on his own spiritual work, growing and refl ecting the image of Christ in the ways in which he ministers.

My vision for Highland is that she will always courageously and without apology hold Christ up as Lord and Savior. My vision is that our confidence in that belief will motivate us to do great things for God and that He can, indeed, work through us. More and more I pray that we will be a church that accepts folks where they are and yet always call them to lives of renewal and holiness in Christ. My prayer is that Highland will be a church that lives out Christ's prayer for unity among all believers, and that we will be a spiritual, loving force for change in our community. As the days and years unfold before us, my vision for our church family is that we can encourage one another to live lives of peaceful service and unwavering commitment to God. My dream is that every person who is a part of the Body of Christ at Highland will know how to use the talents with which God has gifted them to share the Good News - "Christ in us, the Hope of glory."