| I heard someone recently observe that while we look at our phones almost constantly, the ancients spent their evenings staring at the stars. The difference is not insignificant. One shrinks your world, the other expands it. One places you at the center of everything. The other reminds you of just how small you are. Even when we do put down our phones and gaze upward, stars are often hard to see because of all the artificial light in cities. Cort Gatliff is a pastor who worries about how this "light pollution" affects our spiritual lives. He writes: "I’m most alarmed by the profound spiritual implications of a sky without stars. I’m convinced Christians have strong, biblical reasons to see preserving the night sky as a crucial aspect of both creation care and our own connection to God and his promises." Read: God’s Promises Are Clearest When We Turn Out the Lights It’s hard to believe (at least for me) but 2024 is only one month away. Our assessment on Vision and Strategy is a great resource to help you kick off the New Year. Use it with your team to help direct them through the tough process of change, including handling growth, adding a new ministry, or enacting a new vision and direction. | 