Dr. Bob Logan’s Update 3/29/2023
Thanks to so many of you for attending our Town Hall meeting this past Sunday. It’s important to set aside time to listen, dialogue, and ask questions as we engage this season of change at Community. In case you missed the meeting, click here to see the video recording of the presentation.
As a staff, we have entered a season of the reconfiguration of roles and responsibilities, and we do not undertake this lightly. But just as families need to live on the right size budget for their income, so do churches. If a family is in a deficit situation, they need to lower expenses and/or raise income to live within their means.
The board is working hard helping us to take important steps toward rightsizing to prepare for our new budget in July (just a reminder that we moved to a fiscal year budget, July 1-June 30, this year). A church of our size typically has a level of giving that can support one full-time pastor and a few part-time staff. The amount Community has been spending on staff was based on a congregation that was three to four times our current size.
Although it’s always good to respond to God’s leading regarding stewardship, this is not primarily a plea for a large influx of giving. Rather, the board has made these decisions—with much prayer—on the principle of stewarding what we have well, responsibly, and in a way that sets up Community to grow and flourish in the long-term. Instead of staffing up, we will focus on raising up our people.
Q & A
Below is a digest of some of the significant questions raised along with responses:
How do these changes impact our children’s ministries? We will continue to prioritize our ministry to children and youth. Alyssa Smedley has stepped up into the role of children’s ministry leader. Since she has already been working with our kids, her presence will provide continuity. An important focus in children’s ministry will continue to be mobilizing and supporting volunteer leaders to assist in this important work.
What about the youth ministry? Scott will continue with the middle and high school groups through May 9 to finish out the school year with them. We have already begun the search process for a part-time youth leader. Scott was offered this role, but we understand and respect his need to look for a full-time position. Children and youth continue to be a priority at Community, so please pray with us for God’s guidance regarding this important role and continuing to mobilize volunteers.
What about Brad? Please join us this Sunday for Brad’s farewell and commissioning. We are very grateful for his time on staff and the contributions he has made. We want to send him off with prayer and the confidence that God is working in him and through him during this next season.
Please be in prayer for the raising up of lay leaders (including young adults) to shepherd others in the context of small groups. I (Dr. Bob) will be launching a training group for equipping people according to their gifts and callings with an eye toward multiplying our ministry of discipleship.
How are departing staff being cared for? Our departing staff will be supported through the end of June, keeping within the congregationally approved budget. We’ve also made the decision to allow them to transition now so they can be freed up sooner to focus on what God has for them next while they are still receiving financial support. The guiding principle of the board has been to seek to be generous with the staff while also maintaining focus on the long-term wellbeing of the congregation. The board members are continuing to be led by the Spirit, leading with wisdom, courage, and compassion.
Why is this transition process taking so long when we already have someone on staff who could step into the senior pastor role? Brett addressed this question himself, as he was the person indicated. He said that at this time, he does not feel the calling of God to serve as senior pastor. However, he recognizes that a lot of significant change is needed, and he is committed to teaming with me to guide us through this period of transition. An important piece of that will be creating space for everyone to process, ask questions, brainstorm, and envision what God may have for us next. Then we’ll be positioned to discern God’s voice and direction for our congregation as we move toward his future for us.
We used to have a strong prayer ministry. Will we be expanding and deepening that? Absolutely. Revitalizing our prayer ministry will be essential as we seek God’s voice and direction. As E.M. Bounds wrote, “Prayer is not just preparation for the battle. Prayer is the battle.” The prayer ministry is something you can join in on. We’ve already started having meetings to reactivate the prayer ministry. You may have noticed that on Sunday people had the opportunity to receive prayer during the communion time. That will become a regular ministry. And we’re praying about the next steps God wants us to take.
What you can do
We understand that this is a difficult time for the congregation as a whole:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:3-4)
God always gives us the means to do what he has called us to do, and I believe our church has a very bright future for those who want to be part of this exciting revitalization.
- Please continue to pray that we corporately—as brothers and sisters in Christ—will discern God’s wisdom as we seek to do what is best for the health of the church body as a whole.
- Please take the time to thank the board members—our fellow congregants—for their faithful and tireless work as they represent us in difficult decisions. Bless them, love them, surround them, trust them, and thank them.
- Pray also that God leads Brad and Scott to the right places for the next season of their lives and ministries.
In the meantime, continue to live by faith, knowing that there are lots of people praying for us and continuing to cheer us on:
35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:35-36)
Warmly in Christ,
Dr. Bob
P.S. Don’t forget to RSVP for Pastor Rob’s retirement celebration on April 23. It will be a special time to honor and appreciate Rob and Kathleen.
Great Moments with Pastor Rob
BUT most importantly we have loved on each other. I have probably learned more about the commandment “to love one another “ than anything else from being in our small group.
Our group has been there through the fear and heartbreak of sickness and deaths of parents, spouses, friends, relatives and even the loss of a child. We have wept together, prayed together, given love and solace. We have celebrated the joys of weddings, grandchildren, graduations and retirements and our favorite baseball and football teams. We laugh at each other and with each other. These are the brothers and sisters who I rely upon day in and day out to show me God’s grace and love and to remind me not to postpone joy.
As Rob and Kathleen transition to the next chapter of their lives, I will be forever grateful for their participation in our small group, for being one of us, for just being there. I hope that when others consider small group participation that they are blessed as I have been. It’s been one of the best chapters of my life.
As the song says, “thank you for being my friend”. I love you both.
-Karen Watts
Do you have a fond memory of Pastor Rob? Be sure to share with us by emailing a story and a picture to greatmoments@findcommunity.com. We want to collect as many as possible in preparation for his retirement celebration on April 23!
