Finding Faith ... in doing the holy work necessary to figure out next chapter

By Pastor Devlyn Brooks

Faith Family … I believe that Wednesday, Nov. 1, has the potential to be another one of those dates that we look back on in the future, and we will recognize as a significant milestone in our church’s history.

That night, which already is a regularly scheduled monthly FLC Council meeting, Pastor Melissa Pickering, who oversees the synod’s Rural Revival program, will join us to begin the conversation about what comes next for our future.

Our council, at its October council meeting, voted in faith to join the synod’s Rural Revival program which aims to help equip us to transition into our next chapter, whatever that chapter will be. Certainly, there’s much work to do yet before we figure that out, but that’s a concern for later.

Pastor Melissa has shared that during the meeting we will begin by talking about the process of the program, the timeline and the all important topic of what comes next. Finally, she said she will also describe the input she will be seeking from all of us, present council members and everyone else included.

The council and I both agree that it’s important we open up this conversation to anyone who would like to attend. So, please consider this an open invitation to everyone! Whether you would like to take an active role in this discovery process, or if you just possess curiosity as to how it all will operate, I would encourage you to come to the meeting to participate in the conversation.

As we have mentioned before, it will take more than just the current council members to make this process successful. So we’re asking for your support and active participation. Please help us discover what our next chapter looks like for this beloved church! 

You can find out more information about the program at this website: https://www.nwmnsynod.org/pages/rural-revival

I can share a few bullet points about the program in advance.

The goal of the Rural Revival program, is to in partnership with synod assistance develop a plan to move forward in ministry here at Faith Lutheran focusing on the following:

1. Spiritual Practice: Dwelling in God’s Word, listening to God's Holy Spirit, trusting in God's leading, and abiding in prayer.

2. Assessing: Understanding your current mission field and needs.

3. Stewarding: Imagining the sharing of resources with surrounding places of worship.

4. Leading: Assessing the possibility of new church leadership through lay leadership, shared pastoral services, and/or Synod Authorized Ministers.

5. Equipping: Building a plan together with concrete possible next steps, which may include focusing on evangelism, generosity, and hospitality.

6. Trusting: in God’s promised future for the community of faith and the followers of Jesus where you are planted and, in your capacity, to take the next steps.

This process looks different for every church which participates, and no two starting or ending points will look the same. That is why the work is so intentional. It is designed to uncover where the Holy Spirit is guiding Faith Lutheran Church at this time and moving into the future.

And that is why we ask you all to participate in any way you can. 

Faith Family … this will be holy work that we are doing. And hopefully this will bring us joy along the way because rather than spending another year talking about our future, we will be creating our future! … Even if we don’t know exactly what that future will be!

Just as I ended last month’s pastor’s column, I want to say again: We are still in an envious position to many churches. So, let’s remember this is a time to live out of joy and hope and not out of fear. Let’s trust that God will help us transition to the next chapter, whatever it is! 

Blessings to you this November Faith Family!