faith on the move
Thank you for the love you bring to our church and for your ongoing financial support of our many ministries. During this time when many of our folks are unemployed or underemployed I am especially appreciative that you are sharing and that God is providing. And the wonderful truth is – lives are being transformed by the Spirit of God. Take for example our recent children’s musical. This great effort played a major role in the discipleship of our Kidz of Faith. It also touched the lives of many adults who worked behind the scenes and was a very positive community outreach. One visitor told me that she came to the musical because she had seen a poster for it at Fred Meyers. After seeing “the show” as she put it, she decided she wanted to visit our Sunday service because she was so impressed by what she witnessed on Saturday. She figured that any church that loved kids and families that much was worth checking out! I couldn’t agree more.
As you know, we have recently added Ron Larson to our staff to direct our worship ministries. In fact, you should be receiving this letter just a few days before he first leads worship here at Faith. I can tell you that Ron is really looking ahead to starting in his new role with us. This Sunday, March 7th, Ron will not only lead musically but will also be sharing “pulpit time” with me as together the two of us teach from God’s Word about worship. Ron’s goal is to tell you the story of how the Lord has worked in his life and given him a passionate heart to lead others in the praise and adoration of Jesus. Truthfully, this passion is something you will sense about Ron from the moment he opens his mouth to sing. So, as we begin this journey with Ron, please pray that God will use our brother’s gifts and skills to help us become much more passionate ourselves about lifting high the great Name of Jesus. Remember, as David stated it three times in the Old Testament:
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised! Please go out of your way to welcome Ron, his wife Lisa, along with their two children, Gunnar and Hannah, as they join us.
The inclusion of Ron onto Faith’s staff corresponds with two other key staff changes that I previously shared with you about in another letter but that I want to keep you updated upon in the way of a reminder. Beginning April 1st, Pastor Gary will officially complete his duties as a paid member of our pastoral staff and will devote his full-time occupational energies to his real estate business. Fortunately, our church family will continue to experience the blessings of Gary’s presence and his volunteer ministry among us. Thank you Pastor Gary for your years of service and leadership. You, your wife Donna Mae, and your children are treasured by all of us!
Pastor Greg has now assumed and is learning his new role as Faith’s first ever Executive Pastor. Some of you have asked me what an executive pastor does. The answer will be a little different in every church depending upon the needs of the situation and the gifts of the person serving in that role. As Greg settles into this position and we evaluate the needs, we’ll be able to define his job more closely. But in broad terms there are several things that are typically characteristic of an executive pastor’s ministry. Executive Pastors are normally viewed as “second-in-command.” They usually care for daily operations and report directly to the lead pastor. For example, this means that an executive pastor will seek to provide oversight of ongoing areas such as ministry & calendar coordination, church communications, business & budget matters, facility use, event planning, staff development and accountability. This position is best fulfilled by someone who brings together experience and training both in ministry & business; who works hard and yet also works “smart” because he is highly organized; who is relationally skilled; who can multi-task; who can lead with the confidence and backing of the rest of the staff on behalf of or in the absence of the lead pastor. Praise God (!) that this sort of “wiring” is how God has put Pastor Greg together. Thank you brother for being such a versatile man of God for this ministry. You, your wife Faith, and your sons are likewise treasured by this church family.
By the way, does Greg’s new role mean that the lead pastor is less available to the staff and congregation? No. In fact, the more Greg masters his ministry the more I hope to be freed to spend time in direct pastoring and teaching of the flock. What a great blessing and privilege that is for me! May the Lord bless His work at Faith mightily.
I love you,
John K. Nagle
Lead Pastor
