LAMPLIGHTER Summer 2019
Shared Ministry: Everybody’s Responsibility by Kristi Meyer “Always plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.” We can debate the theological validity of this “inspirational” statement, but its basic sentiment is still appropriate. In our personal lives, planning for the future allows us to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us. Similarly, revising and updating our strategic plan (mission/vision document) allows St. John’s to best use the talents and resources with which God has blessed us. In 2000, St. John’s created its first mission/vision document— a document that guided the congregation for over 10 years. The current mission/vision document, bringing us together under the theme “Called Together; Called to Gather” was finalized in 2011. According to Pastor Joel Leyrer, nothing will be significantly different this time around. “The process is always based around congregational involvement because this is never top-down. It’s always bottom-up as we look at our role as a gathering of Christians looking to best make an impact for the Kingdom.” The core values shaping this strategic plan are the same core values that have served St. John’s well up to this point: worship, evangelism, community, service, and discipleship. During May, listening session participants identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges associated with each core value. The feedback gathered at these listening sessions will be used to create the new strategic plan. “The Strategic Planning Committee [chaired by Pastor Kyle Bitter and made up of Dave Todor, Lyle Haferman, Kelly Johnson, and Cindy Kuehn] will condense the many comments received into
some major big picture goals for the congregation,” says Pastor Bitter. Even if you couldn’t participate in a listening session, you haven’t lost the opportunity to have your voice heard. During the month of June, an online survey will solicit additional feedback. Over the summer, the committee will create a rough draft of the strategic plan. This rough draft will be discussed in fall at an open forum. Regardless of your role at St. John’s Lutheran Church or School, you have a part to play in the creation and execution of this new strategic plan. Pastor Eric Schroeder is particularly excited about the potential for developing new ministry opportunities. “If there’s a trend we hear repeatedly, that gives a new opportunity for people to have a place to serve that might not exist right now,” he says. “As a congregation, we want to use the resources and time that God allocates to us in a way that best serves him.” Watch for surveys over the next month and for a rough draft of the new strategic plan in early fall. Above all, pray that God would continue to bless St. John’s as we strive to be faithful to our calling to serve him as best as we are able. Pastor Leyrer sums it up this way: “How can we maximize the gifts and abilities God has given us to bring him glory and proclaim the name of Jesus before a watching world? That’s everybody’s responsibility. This gives us the opportunity to do it in a collaborative, cohesive way.”