Directions for Carroll County
By Pastor Todd Ladd

Todd Ladd is pastor at the Delphi United Methodist Church.

We live during an interesting time in Carroll County, and it makes for interesting discussions and decision making. We are at a cross roads with many elements of change coming down the road that will affect where we live and raise our children. In the upcoming months we will see the impact of school re-organization, how two large dairies may work in our area, and the impact of a new highway. We also know that our city, town, and county leaders still work to carry out the interest of all people. Our council is getting a handle on finances, and the sheriff's department is still determining the best course of action in renovating or building a new jail.

These issues taken individually possess great potential to connect us together or drive us apart. However, when you consider them collectively you realize that these are interesting times. They hold interesting potential for a community fabric that is tightly woven together. My prayer is that we would frame them in the best possible light and work together to make them be positive opportunities for our county after exploring all possible scenarios and studies to make wise decisions.

One activity that you might not be aware is a gathering of spiritual leaders from several Carroll County churches. These pastors come together on Wednesday mornings, as our schedule permits, and join in a time of prayer for our county and its spiritual transformation.

We pray for our churches, our schools, our leaders, and our civil servants. We pray for our churches and the spiritual impact we can have upon this area where we are called to serve. We pray against evil influences like drugs, and those who would harm children. We also support one another as we share what happens at our local churches.

When we pray together and not apart it creates trust and connection. We believe that trust and connection are part of how we can best work together in a common task for the good of the whole community. I am pleased that I can trust my brothers and sisters in Christ who serve other churches right here in Carroll County.

Prayer is a greatly misunderstood activity. It appears that you are doing nothing but being quiet or rather weak in your actions. However, it takes serious intensity to be fervent in prayer. It is likened to spiritual wrestling where you find yourself struggling and then giving in to the power of God. We believe that as we pray we are working together for bringing positive transformation spiritually to a county that is in need of the hope that God offers.

I would like to challenge Carroll County to come together and work on unity. Our home county is a great place to live and an attractive destination for people from around the state and country. Along the way, my job is to help others see the power of God at work. I encourage you to gather in prayer groups and pray over these issues. I also encourage you to pray for leaders in our community as they make difficult decisions. You know this might just be one way of demonstrating God's unifying power.