It is Time

A year ago we were anticipating the start of our Sabbatical time. Four months of reflection and wondering about who we are in the midst of God’s ministry here in Bothell. The Sabbatical was all it was built up to be, a time of rest, a time of learning, a time to recommit. For me personally the Sabbatical reaffirmed my vow to serve this amazing congregation.

With the Sabbatical in our review mirror it is time to keep our eyes on the road ahead. Your congregational council has decided to embark on a year long venture of discovering God’s vision for First Lutheran Church. We are currently negotiating a contract with a local pastor and theologian to help coordinate and guide us on this journey. If we are to be the church in this place, we need to have a clearer vision of who we are and who God is calling us to be. In the words of our consultant: This journey will be about discovering God’s preferred and promised future for FLC.

This process will include developing a vision team, listing sessions, retreats, council reflections, and many opportunities to explore God’s Word in our midst. I hope that as we move forward that you will consider participating wherever you can to add your voice to the process.

Why are we doing this? It is clear from experience and research that healthy congregations have a clear vision for who they are to the communities they serve. No matter the size or scope of their missions, healthy congregations know when to say yes to ministry opportunities but more importantly when to say no. Here at FLC we have been focused these last 8 years on how to be church in healthy ways inside these walls. It is time to become more focused outside these walls. To do so, though, we need to discover what God’s preferred and promised future is for us.

This all stems from what Jeremiah teaches us in chapter 29: For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me these past almost 8 years, I look forward to mapping out the next 8!