Looking Forward to 2001 - CSM Martyn Pearce
The year 2000 had been trumpeted on many levels as being the year to end all years.  The bug (which never really materialised) was going to cause all sorts of problems and as 1999 came to a close, many were full of trepidation as to what the new century would bring.
Well for the Citadel, the year 2000 was our best year yet.  We have seen a slight increase in our attendances, new emphasis on our open-air activity, the Contact Centre coming into being, the acquisition of the upper floors, new aids to worship, increased use of the hall during the week resulting in more and more people through our doors, plus many other new ventures.
Perhaps the highlight for many was the Reunion Weekend back in May, when we were able to meet with many old friends and colleagues who had so many good things to say about the Citadel as it is today.  This is always great to hear, but it presents us with the challenge of not only continuing with the standards we have set but to improve on them as well.  The Lord expects no less and certainly the greater community we serve in needs us to be as strong as possible to meet the challenges and opportunities this new millennium is setting us.  Let us all pray for the wisdom, guidance and perhaps for the bravery we will need to move forward to continue to serve God in new and exciting ways.
Following the Symphony Hall Carols at Christmas, the General set the challenge to me that we really as a Corps ought to consider offering the City something similar at Easter.  He said it should be as bright as possible and that it would be great to see that concert hall as full for an Easter occasion.  I would be really interested in getting feedback from all members of the Corps as to what you feel about such a project.  It is something we again all need to pray about and follow the Lord's leading on.  Please let me know what you think.
We all need to work together to make 2001 better than last year.  The opportunities are there for us all, in small or large ways, to make that happen.  Working together, encouraging each other, which is so important, and following God's leading will, I believe, make that a reality for Birmingham Citadel.