We are currently in the midst of our Growing the Family of Faith campaign, a campaign which will lead us into our future ministry together. I trust you have followed the many articles, presentations, and even the Temple Talks recently which help to explain the practical nature of our effort to expand our ministry together to benefit our congregation and which will allow us to reach out to our community with the Good News.
A question that I've heard a couple of times, and that is worth answering here, has to do with my role as associate pastor. "Why can't Pastor Paul simply be our Director of Youth and Family Ministry?" It's a great question! My role as associate pastor involves providing oversight and support for multiple ministry efforts at Faith including Social Concerns, Witness, Youth Nurture, Worship (shared role), pastoral care, website development and social ministry outreach to name a few. During the interview process I was assured that what Faith needed was a second pastor to share the load of pastoral ministry among the people. After almost ten months in my position, I marvel at all that Pastor John was able to do on his own for so long. Faith is a growing, busy, and demanding place and as your pastors we are fully tasked with the ministry to which you've called us.
Faith has a history of staffing for ALL ministry needs. Pastors provide leadership as evidenced during worship, pastoral care, we plan for ministry efforts including education and spend time preparing for what will happen in the coming weeks, months, and even years. What we need now is a staff person who helps us meet all the needs of all the people to whom we minister. My hope is to work with our new Director of Youth and Family Ministries as a partner/mentor and to discover new ways of entering effective ministry to children, youth and families as a team.
It's a team effort, both of your pastors working in concert with a staff person dedicated to our children, youth, and families, and with volunteers, seeking to make connections with all the generations. That's a powerful idea voted for by our congregation in January. Now we need your help to grow the family of faith. Please pray for guidance, pray for our many volunteers who believe in this idea enough to invest their time in meeting with as many members of FLC as possible during the month of June, pray for how God may be directing you in response to this challenge.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have as we move through our campaign together. I'm happy to spend any time necessary to clarify ministry roles, new concepts for ministry, or any subject that is important to you in making an informed decision regarding Growing the Family of Faith.
peace,
Pastor Paul