Friends,
I want to share some updates today about our staff, Building for Life III and the Leadership Team.
As leaders, we have been talking about the use of the word “pastor” as it pertains to our church. The word “pastor” is understood in various ways. It can be used as a term for a position or title, like one would use the term “Principal” for someone who oversees a school. For example, “She is the Principal at the Middle School,” or “He is the President of the business.” In a similar way, sometimes we say, he is the “pastor” of a church.
In Scripture we find this phrase, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers….” (Ephesians 4:11) Historically some have understood that phrase “the pastors” as I just explained, so we call a person, for example “Pastor Neil” or “Evangelist Tim”.
Another use of the word is a role or function that someone performs. This understanding is also derived from that same passage. In this understanding, I’ll use myself as an example, Keith is a pastor or shepherd. He pastors people or shepherds people. It’s not a title, but it’s what he does. This has been my personal understanding of the passage and our church’s understanding in more recent years. I will also add, that in the eyes of the government or authorities, the use of the term “pastor” is reserved for ordained or licensed individuals. Some churches follow that understanding, other’s don’t. Our church hasn’t had this understanding.
So, churches use the term in different ways. Why is this whole discussion significant for us at this time? In the past, some on staff at Life Covenant have had the title “pastor” and some “director” and frankly there hasn’t been clarity as to who gets what title. We’re seeking to bring greater clarity.
For that reason, we have decided to use the title “pastor” in a more comprehensive and consistent way, to help our congregation understand the various functions that “pastors” or “shepherds” play at Life Covenant. No one has received more credentials or additional education. This is a recognition of our functions. With this letter, only Deanna’s title will be changing right now, as she is "pastor" or "shepherd" for our Children's Ministries. Everyone else’s will remain the same.
Deanna - Pastor of Children’s Ministries
Sam - Pastor of Student Ministries
Kate - Pastor of Worship
Neil - Pastor of Discipleship and Administration
Keith - Senior Pastor
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Second, here’s a brief update on Building for Life III. It is coming to an end on May 3, 2022. This is a three-year giving endeavor to raise $330,000 over and above our regular donations to cover the costs of the expanded foyer and remodel of the kitchen which was completed in 2017. Thank you for your generous contributions. Your response has been amazing. As I write this letter, the balance of that loan is about $38,000 with about three and half months remaining.
Third, as the New Year begins, a new Leadership Team with new roles is now in place, meeting for the first time this week.
Chairperson - Beverly Schneider
Vice Chairperson - Angela Haddick
Secretary - Jennifer James (New to the Leadership Team)
Treasurer - Mike Hatten
Other Members:
Julie Lamb-Heller
Theresa Stahly
Bill Woon (New to the Leadership Team)
Tom Rispens
Kacey Askin
Keith Johnson
We welcome Jennifer and Bill to the team.
Finally, a big thank you to Marvin Williams who recently left the Leadership Team after he completed nine years of service, many as the Chairperson of the church. That’s a lot of years of service! Marvin has been a consistent, hard-working, trusted team member walking the church through challenges, great times and lots and lots of decisions. Please thank him for his service to this church when you see him.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Let’s continue to “…live intentionally for eternity” throughout 2022.
Keith Johnson