January 3, 2019
“New Year Goals?”
It’s a new year and traditionally a good time to evaluate and set goals for the next year. People do it, businesses do it…even congregations do it.
I’ve asked Council to come up with one goal for 2019. I asked them to pray about it, to keep it small and ‘do-able’, and once they have agreed upon one goal then to set out a program to accomplish that goal. Also they need to communicate with the congregation.
In keeping with new goals, I have set a goal for my remaining time here at Faith Lutheran. Primary goal: I will spend more time and energy building up disciples [Read the Power Surge book if you want to know more…I have copies that you may borrow].
Why is this important for Faith Lutheran?
First: Faith Lutheran has become a ‘pastor dependent’ congregation. This means that the programs of the congregation depend upon the pastor in order to function. It means that laity has not fully claimed its leadership gifts, and people aren’t convinced that they are important to Jesus’ work in our community/world.
Second: Pastors can best serve Jesus and the church when they provide spiritual leadership that strengthens the faith and builds up new disciples. The time the pastor spends with administrative tasks takes time away from the role as spiritual leader. Spiritual leadership is linked to the work of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit builds up the church.
Thirdly: As Faith Lutheran plans for the future there is honest concern that we cannot afford a full-time pastor. What will we expect from our pastor when there is less time available to do the job? Can we expect that person to administer the parish and to make disciples within that limited time? If the congregation is to survive…and even thrive… it will need a pastor that provides spiritual leadership for the growth of disciples, and the growth of Jesus’ ministry here.
Finally: This is interim time, a time to evaluate and to stretch and explore new possibilities. This will be a good time for leaders to step up and accept the call to follow Jesus by leading others.
So…Happy New Year!!! Good luck, and let’s have some fun!!!
God’s richest blessings in 2019!!
It will be a grand year!
Pastor Mike
“New Year Goals?”
It’s a new year and traditionally a good time to evaluate and set goals for the next year. People do it, businesses do it…even congregations do it.
I’ve asked Council to come up with one goal for 2019. I asked them to pray about it, to keep it small and ‘do-able’, and once they have agreed upon one goal then to set out a program to accomplish that goal. Also they need to communicate with the congregation.
In keeping with new goals, I have set a goal for my remaining time here at Faith Lutheran. Primary goal: I will spend more time and energy building up disciples [Read the Power Surge book if you want to know more…I have copies that you may borrow].
Why is this important for Faith Lutheran?
First: Faith Lutheran has become a ‘pastor dependent’ congregation. This means that the programs of the congregation depend upon the pastor in order to function. It means that laity has not fully claimed its leadership gifts, and people aren’t convinced that they are important to Jesus’ work in our community/world.
Second: Pastors can best serve Jesus and the church when they provide spiritual leadership that strengthens the faith and builds up new disciples. The time the pastor spends with administrative tasks takes time away from the role as spiritual leader. Spiritual leadership is linked to the work of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit builds up the church.
Thirdly: As Faith Lutheran plans for the future there is honest concern that we cannot afford a full-time pastor. What will we expect from our pastor when there is less time available to do the job? Can we expect that person to administer the parish and to make disciples within that limited time? If the congregation is to survive…and even thrive… it will need a pastor that provides spiritual leadership for the growth of disciples, and the growth of Jesus’ ministry here.
Finally: This is interim time, a time to evaluate and to stretch and explore new possibilities. This will be a good time for leaders to step up and accept the call to follow Jesus by leading others.
So…Happy New Year!!! Good luck, and let’s have some fun!!!
God’s richest blessings in 2019!!
It will be a grand year!
Pastor Mike