(608) 495-9220 [email protected]

January 1, 2025

Dear members and friends,

Like most of you, I always take some time to meditate upon the passing of another year. I know it sounds cliché, but the word “busy” immediately came to mind as I thought of a good summary for 2024.

In fact, and due to the ever-increasing size of our congregation, I often feel too “busy” to greet everyone personally on Sunday mornings. I don’t like that. Maybe we should have lunch sometime? Anyways, hopefully this newsletter will suffice for all the missed small talk.

Church Ministry

It was a good year. We ordained a new elder, brought our by-laws into harmony with the Form of Government, received new members, welcomed new babies, administered lots of baptisms (even one at a lake), witnessed two new marriages, enjoyed our first pistol range day, and revived our nursing home ministry. For a church without “programs,” that’s not bad!

As for preaching and teaching, here’s a summary of things we covered: Gospel of Matthew, David and Bathsheba, Life of Samson, Keys of the Kingdom, Ephesians, Church Discipline, Views of the Atonement, Hope for Israel, Intermediate State, Ecclesiastes, The Man of Sin, and Systematic Theology. That’s what I would call a “balanced diet” when it comes to biblical/theological nourishment.

Personal Life

I enjoyed relatively good health (other than contracting Covid and needing a double hernia repair). My chronic thorn in the flesh remains, but I am slowly learning the beauty behind God’s comforting word to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

As for more positive personal experiences, I drove the family to Indiana to witness the eclipse, caught a couple muskies up North, married off my eldest son, visited Ireland and England, bought a Maine coon cat, and harvested a few deer.

Kingdom Work

Besides serving our local church, the Lord has been pleased to employ my gifts more broadly. Examples: 

Presbytery of Wisconsin and Minnesota – I serve this body as the stated clerk. My work consists mainly in administration and record keeping. This past year, however, there were plenty of judicial matters before the body which was unusually taxing.

Bahnsen Institute – This is an apologetics ministry which promotes the presuppositional model of the late Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen. I serve as vice-chairman, published a short book for the institute, and plan to expand our printing projects this year.  

Kept Pure Press – I never planned to begin a publishing house, but a need presented itself, so I met it. I brought six titles to print last year. Most of them relate to the reliability of Reformation-era Bibles, but I may expand the scope eventually.

El Seminario Reformado de las Américas ­– I assist this seminary, located in Quito, Ecuador, by working with a “Board of Visitors” to review curriculum and interview new faculty members.

Reformation Bible Society – This organization seeks to foster scholarly engagement on Reformation-era texts and translations of the Holy Bible. I am the secretary and we hosted our first symposium last August.

Trinitarian Bible Society – I hold no position in this organization, but it is the reason I have been visiting the UK the past couple years. On my most recent trip, I lectured on the doctrines of inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy.

89.5 FM – WCNP – While I used to be more involved in the management of this radio station, my main role now is that of theological advisor. I also write devotional spots for airing and articles for their newsletter.

Conclusion

OK, typing all that justified my choice of the word “busy” to summarize 2024. I may try to pare back some things this year, but you know me. Part of me admires what John Calvin said when his friends visited his death bed; begging him to stop working so much. He replied, “What! Would you have the Lord find me idle when he comes?”

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Pastor and supporting me through your love, forbearance, and continued prayers.

Pastor McShaffrey