Pastor's Portal

Are We There Yet?

Rev. David Schmidt

May 15, 2021

Are we there yet? It’s common question many parents hear when they travel with their kids, but I think it’s something we are all wondering now. After a year of putting up with the uncertainties of COVID-19, are we there yet? Are we back to normal? It kind of seems that way. Here at Faith Lutheran Church, bible studies that were put on hold are up and running and groups that hadn’t been meeting are coming together again. Service opportunities are available as some have signed up to prepare meals for the young ladies at Saving Grace. In addition to the things we were doing before the pandemic, we are also remolding our sanctuary and improving the grounds around our campus.

I am excited to see the momentum and I hope you are too. If anything goodcame out of COVID-19, hopefully it has helped us to appreciate this community of faith more. We are blessed with this great congregation, and we are blessed to be God’s people to carry out his Great Commission to make disciples in this community where he has placed us. As we move towards normalcy, it’s time for us as a congregation to see where God is leading us to serve.

Where is God leading us? How do we best serve each other here and out in this community? Those are question we should be asking ourselves so that we can be strategic and intentional about making disciples. To assist us in answering these and other important questions, the Board and I have invited a church strategic planning facilitator, Leah Abel, to help us begin work on a plan. Through this process, we will be seeking input from the congregation. There will be a survey as well as focus groups that will give members the opportunity to share their thoughts. If you are interested in participating, please let me know.

The focus groups will be meeting with Leah via Zoom sometime in September. After Leah has had the chance to meet with focus groups, she will come to Faith for two in-person visits; one weekend in October and one in November. During those visits, she will help us develop a strategic plan for our congregation.

I ask that each of you would keep this process in your prayers, and pray for me and all those in leadership as we seek God’s direction. He saw us through COVID-19, and he will continue to lead us as we move forward with the Gospel.