From The Pastor's Pen

Dear Saints of God,

Pentecost is upon us. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the institution of the Body of Christ, the Church here on Earth. For me, it begs the question: Where is the Holy Spirit moving us as a congregation?

Since my arrival, I have heard repeating motifs. “We need more members”, “We need more money”, “We need to attract younger people.” Each statement is spoken with deep conviction, an air of anxiety, and more than a hint of exhaustion. The underlying fear is that of survival. Will we survive as a congregation? I want to assure you: we are not alone in our fear. These motifs exist across the landscape of religious institutions in general. So how do we grow?

The current Pew Research Religious Landscape Study indicates that among Protestants, the groups that have seen an increase in membership include Nondenominational Protestant, Pentecostal, and Nonspecific Protestant. It leads to several questions:

• What is it that attracts people to these denominations?
• Where do we as a congregation intersect with the characteristics of these denominations?
• What gifts do we have and what do we offer that is unique that serves God’s mission?
• How do we organize and get re-energized?
• Where do we focus our energy?

I want to tackle the first question here; we will, as a congregation, address the remaining questions in workshops starting in the fall.

Consider the following: Nondenominational churches often attract people because they emphasize personal faith over institutional traditions. Here are some key characteristics that draw people in:

• Biblical Focus – Many nondenominational churches prioritize the Bible as their sole authority, rather than adhering to denominational doctrines.
• Flexibility in Worship – They often have modern, informal worship styles, making services feel more accessible and engaging.
• Community-Oriented – Many focus on tight-knit, welcoming communities, making them appealing to those seeking a personal connection in their faith journey.

As a congregation, we can learn from these denominations while discovering our unique God-given gifts and purpose in the Body of Christ. But to do so takes time, prayer, collaboration, commitment, vulnerability, courage, and trust in God’s leading.

All of this takes energy.



As we enter into the long days of summer, I encourage you to rest. Listen to the Holy Spirit and feel her movement in your life. Take time to pray, surround yourself in the glory of nature and the warmth of God’s love through creation itself, let the Holy Spirit carry you to new possibilities like a pleasant ocean wave. As you rest, become mindful of the tug of your heart. Pay attention to daydreams that leave you energized, curious, inspired. There you will find the Holy Spirit revealing to you the passions you can share to help grow God’s Church.

Come, Holy Spirit! Come!