Transition Update - July 2011

Revisioning, Transition, Living into God’s Future for Us.   We’ve given a variety of names to this journey we’ve been on the last 12 months. 

River and Garden, Shift, Ministry Assessments, Constituency Meetings.  We’ve used a variety of tools to help us on this journey we’ve been on the last 12 months. 

When are we getting a new pastor? Why is it taking so long? Why do we have to think about it?  We’ve asked a lot of questions on this journey we’ve been on the last 12 months.

On the first Sunday of July, 2010, Trinity found itself facing a complex set of changes: 

• A beloved and respected pastor had just retired. 
• Years of faithful prayer, coaching, and work had radically and rapidly expanded our ministry. 
• Our second site was 10 months old. 
• The “pastoral care team” concept was just beginning to catch hold. 
• We were in a time of deep financial challenge. 

The question on that first Sunday of July, 2010 was, “What do we do now?” 

The answer was, “be faithful, be prayerful, be patient, be thoughtful, be creative, be smart.” 

On the first Sunday of July, 2011 it is safe to say that we have come a long, long way to better understanding our ministries, our systems, our challenges, our opportunities, and our needs. All of our major ministries have gone through a process of defining their mission, assessing their work, and listening carefully to those who support them and those they serve. Each group has identified the barriers they face and the hopes that shape their futures. Each group is now working to identify steps to take to move beyond the barriers and into the future.  (See other posts to check out their work.)

Among the next steps, as we move into late summer, will be opportunities for “big picture” conversation for the whole congregation. We are also beginning to shape a vision for staffing at Trinity-Lynnwood and Pointe of Grace. In the last ten years we’ve grown substantially in the number of members, the number at worship, the number of people engaged in and served by Trinity’s ministries. During that same period, staffing has declined. One thing we know already is that simply replacing a pastor is an inadequate answer to Trinity’s real needs. Click here to find a recently developed chart that leadership is using to help identify specific areas of need.

We are grateful for the congregation's willingness to take a good look at itself as it moves into God's future.  Our commitment to not settling for a "knee-jerk" response to our needs will pay off in a healthier congregation and in stronger ministries and presence in our communities.

Blessings, 

Trinity’s Staff and Council

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