Pastor Garrett's Report

Welcome to 2022! The report contained in this packet provides a detailed snapshot of our mission and ministry from 2021. At first glance, it may seem like the predominant theme of the past few years has been change. Nevertheless, the deeper, more significant story of CLC continues to be the same – namely, the faithfulness of Christ to his church, no matter the circumstances in which she is found. (Matthew 16:18 proves true time and again.) This year we will celebrate 60 years as a congregation, each of those years being a testament to the promise of Christ and the providence of God.

As we continue to take steps into the next chapter of CLC’s mission, I’d like to note two main things – our Vision Summit, and our Associate Pastor Call.

Vision Summit: One of the opportunities afforded us by the disruption of all-things-normal is that we’ve been able to assess what is truly essential to being the church. Through discussion and discernment with our Council in 2021, new perspective on our ministry began to take form, leading eventually to our Vision Summit that we held in the fall. At the Summit, we introduced new mission and vision statements that will deeply shape our ministries for the next five years.

So, what is our “new” mission? (In truth, the church’s mission never changes, just our articulation of it.) Our mission is to guide people into growing union with Christ. In other words, the ultimate goal of all of our ministries is to cultivate closeness to Christ, the outcome of which is that we become like Him (“one flesh,” in the words of Ephesians 5:31-32). This is, of course, a lifelong process, which the Lord himself has promised to continue unto completion. (Philippians 1:6 is worth taking to heart.)

And what is our vision? In other words, where are we headed as a church? For the next five years, we will be pouring our energy and resources into the fulfillment of four main things: Meaningful Worship, Genuine Community, Formative Prayer, and Generous Living.

A big part of our emphasis in 2022 will be structuring our ministries and allocating our resources so that they align with this fourfold vision. As we do so, I encourage you to prayerfully participate in these ministries – both for your own growth into union with Christ, and also for the growth of others.

Associate Pastor Call: Throughout much of 2021, a Call Committee was meeting weekly to conduct the search for an Associate Pastor. As part of the search team, it was palpable to me that the Lord was at work through the prayerful discussions and discernment of his people, ultimately guiding the Call Committee to a candidate whose gifts for ministry fit exceedingly well with our vision for CLC.

Matt Kolden is a gifted and humble leader whose interactions with the Call Committee evinced a deep faith and a kind heart. I am personally very excited to have Matt joining me to serve and edify you as your pastors in the faith. Matt will be joined by his wife Sarah, who will also be a wonderful addition to our life together. Please pray for both Matt and Sarah as they prepare to join us this summer.

As you read through the rest of this report, it is my hope that your love for Christ Lutheran Church is refreshed and that your commitment to Christ’s ongoing work is renewed. We have much to look forward to in the coming year(s). May the Lord himself be our guide.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Garrett