Active Listening. Imagination. Vision. Empowerment.
► Read the PDF of the “ALIVE Report to the Congregation” HERE.
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LISTENING, LEARNING, and UNDERSTANDING
In early 2021, members of MVLC were invited and encouraged to participate in two very important gatherings of growth and healing for the congregation, which were a direct result of the stories, dreams, and questions everyone shared with members of the ALIVE Team.
On Sunday, January 31, 2021, there was a Zoom meeting that was an update on the status of our transition process, and a sharing of some of the things we are learning and discovering about ourselves as we move forward into what our Lord is unfolding before us. Barry and Gretchen Johnsrud, members of the ALIVE team, and the MVLC pastors offered a summary update of the team’s work in gathering information for the Ministry Site Profile which was used by the Call Team in their search for a new Lead Pastor. Over 200 members of the congregation responded to a series of information gathering questions that provided guidance to the congregation, the Call Team, and the Council in moving forward.
► View the slides of the 1/31 ALIVE Report presentation HERE.
► Listen to the 1/31 ALIVE Report presentation and conversation HERE.
On Sunday, February 7, 2021, there was another Zoom meeting that was a conversation with Southwestern Washington Synod Bishop Richard Jaech, MVLC pastors, and members of the MVLC Church Council regarding process, feelings, and healing that happens in a pastoral leadership change. The focus of the conversation was on the Synod’s and Council’s work regarding the sudden resignation by Pastor Vaswig. Questions of process, severance, and non-disclosure agreements were among the topics addressed.
The aim of each session was to keep the congregation updated and informed in a transparent manner, addressing relevant concerns as we all work and grow together both in the search for a new lead pastor and in further shaping the ministry and context we are called to serve as Christ’s disciples.