Advent Lutheran Church - Mentor, OH

When we look at renewal and revival in our church through the opportunities presented by our growth - the addition of the Light House Retreat Center, the recognition that we are blessed with a facility to use to the Glory of God, and the evident desire to grow spiritually, questions arise.

One question that comes up from time to time is the question of how we integrate the gift of those who join our family of faith into the general flow of our ministry.   Some say that the key is to bring people on board with a longer class of indoctrination.   However, although there is always room for improvement in welcoming new disciples into Advent, (which I am already working to improve), I believe this the wrong answer.   People come to Advent because of the warm and dynamic community that we are, and the process in place to meet each guest who wishes to join our congregation is well thought out in relation to their denominational background.   From my perspective, the need is not so much how we train them as they enter, but what we do as a church family after each person comes on board; and how do you take each and every person who calls Advent home by the hand and introduce them to our community and to opportunities to serve.

Our Shepherd program is one of the steps in that direction but must not be our only step.   Granted, it is a two-way street for new members to be integrated into the mainstream of the ministry of Advent, but unless those of us who know the ropes share the good news of Advent ’s ministry with those who are new, how else will they learn and grow comfortably?   (I know that there are veteran members who can and do feel just as disconnected and wanting.)   This is a congregational responsibility, and I challenge all of us to contemplate new ideas to make this an even warmer, involved, and invested church family.   Now is the time to see how everyone can grow in faith, hope, and love as we work together to the Glory of God.

To know Christ and to make Christ known is our mission – mission of all of us.    Pray and work.

All to the Glory of God,

Pastor Kovitch
(October 2008)

In these days of Natural Church Development as we seek a deepening understanding of our Lutheran identity, more expressive love for one another, an intentional commitment to faith sharing and Biblical storytelling, a growing prayer life, and creative care for our leaders, let us listen to the words of Martin Luther written in 1522.   Unless we deepen our faith in Jesus Christ and live by a faith alone credo we will fall into a law driven witness.   I follow Luther’s lead as found in his sacristy prayer and I commend you follow your own prayer of commitment.

A Sacristy Prayer by Martin Luther:
Lord God, You have appointed me as a …Pastor in Your Church, but you see how unsuited I am to meet so great and difficult a task.   If I had lacked Your help, I would have ruined everything long ago.   Therefore, I call upon You: I wish to devote my mouth and my heart to you; I shall teach the people.   I myself will learn and ponder diligently upon You Word.   Use me as Your instrument -- but do not forsake me, for if ever I should be on my own, I would easily wreck it all. Amen.

Martin Luther's Definition of Faith:
An excerpt from An Introduction to St. Paul's Letter to the Romans,

"Faith is not what some people think it is.   Their human dream is a delusion.   Because they observe that faith is not followed by good works or a better life, they fall into error, even though they speak and hear much about faith.   "Faith is not enough," they say, "You must do good works, you must be pious to be saved."   They think that, when you hear the gospel, you start working, creating by your own strength a thankful heart which says, "I believe."   That is what they think true faith is.   But, because this is a human idea, a dream, the heart never learns anything and reform doesn't come from this 'faith,' either.

Instead, faith is God's work in us, that changes us and gives new birth from God.   (John 1:13).   It kills the Old Adam and makes us completely different people.    It changes our hearts, our spirits, our thoughts and all our powers.   It brings the Holy Spirit with it.   Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith.   Faith cannot help doing good works constantly.    It doesn't stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing.   Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever.   He stumbles around and looks for faith and good works, even though he does not know what faith or good works are.    Yet he gossips and chatters about faith and good works with many words.   Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it.   Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures.   The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith.   Because of it, you freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who has shown you such grace.   Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire!   Therefore, watch out for your own false ideas and guard against good-for-nothing gossips, who think they're smart enough to define faith and works, but really are the greatest of fools.   Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever without faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do."

Let us be so bold as to follow Luther’s advice as we identify our lives with Jesus Christ.

Peace and a Blessed Advent preparation,

Pastor Kovitch
(December 2008)

The Natural Church Development (NCD) Team held a retreat for members of Advent Lutheran Church ministry teams. Pastor Zoesch, our NCD coach, opened the meeting with prayer and provided an overview of the NCD process. Using the summary of comments shared on returned surveys, the NCD Team identified five focus areas and tasks force groups that are outlined below.

Prayer

Action Plan
1. Prayer retreat: Offering a prayer retreat will be for all members. Content will include a discussion on biblical references to prayer, methods of praying, personal sharing of our prayer life. This will be held in late 2008 or early 2009.
2. Prayer resources: Several types of prayer resources will be provided. Examples include bulletin inserts (with changing focus- men, youth, seniors, etc) and printed prayers/table tents displayed on the tables during Sunday morning fellowship. The goal will be to encourage informal discussions on prayer during fellowship time.

Lutheran Identity

Action Plan
1. Emphasis on Lutheran worship: using The Beacon and The Candle, we will reproduce a series of articles in The Lutheran magazine titles "Worship Whys" written by Bishop Robert Rimbo.
2. Increase Lutheran education for new members: Recommend to Church Council that a copy of the book titled “Lutheran Handbook ” will be given to each new family joining Advent. It was also suggested that each new family be given a one year subscription to the Lutheran Magazine.
3. Sacredness of the sacraments and sermon content: Have conversation with Pastor Kovitch in regards to having the sermon content follow the Gospel of the day and following the sacraments as outlined in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal.

Storytelling

Action Plan
1. Random acts of kindness: do service without "strings attached" - creative outreach.
2. Devotions: Have congregation members write their own faith stories, poems, songs or art for sharing, possibly for the seasons of Advent or Lent.
3. Biblical storyteller in residence: Pastor Jim Kulma to come and share Biblical storytelling and how to do it.

Renewal for existing leaders

Action Plan
1. Have a retreat at Advent with the emphasis on prayer and renewal of existing leaders. They will combine efforts with the Prayer Focus Group to plan this retreat. A meeting will be held on October 27 at 7:30 PM.

Environment of love and trust

Action Plan
1. Renewal of the Shepherds Program.
2. More emphasis on informing members of who else is in their flock.
3. More structure to "flock talks" to encourage greater participation in these events.
4. Recruiting additional shepherds to ease the burden on current shepherds.
5. Additional training for shepherds so all shepherds are on the same page concerning the goals of the program.

A special thanks to all those involved. Let us pray for the work set before us and for our church community as we move forward in the name of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Kovitch
(November 2008)