CLC

Every New Year is one of endings and beginnings. At Christ Lutheran Church it is a time to reflect upon where God has lead us and ponder where he may be leading us in the future. Pastor Brad has ended his 3 years of ministry at Christ Lutheran Church. We thank him for his faithful service. He has received and accepted the call to be pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Rome, Wisconsin. For Pr. Brad, Dawn, and Andrew it is a time of new beginnings and we wish them God's richest blessings.

Here at Christ Lutheran Church it is an end point but, I believe, a beginning point of new opportunities. Many of you have been asking or wondering what is going to happen now. Is another associate pastor going to be called, and if so, how soon? With Pastor Brad gone how will all the pastoral responsibilities be covered? Will the next associate pastor have the same responsibilities as Pastor Brad?

These are all appropriate questions. However, before those are answered I believe we need to do preliminary work. This work begins with prayer. Together we need to pray that the Holy Spirit would guide our thoughts and conversation in order that the decisions that are to be made will be the best for the mission of the congregation. Secondly, I would suggest that we take some time to study and discuss the qualities and qualifications desired in the next associate pastor.

In the meantime I would ask for your prayers and assistance. Each of us will have to pitch in and help cover those areas of ministry for which Pastor Brad had responsibility. We will also need patience as some things will, and not intentionally, be overlooked. You and I will also need to understand that some plans and areas of ministry will have to be put on hold. As we look ahead, it may be in the best interest of the congregation that an Interim Associate Pastor be hired for a period of time.

Please be assured that personally I will continue to serve to the best of my ability as Senior Pastor. I ask for your prayers in this time of transition. Please be patient and understanding if I do not respond as you may desire and expect. As God has blessed Christ Lutheran Church in the past, I am confident that God who is faithful will guide and direct us into new beginnings.

God's Blessings as we begin 2009.

Pr. Dave