by Senior Pastor Bill Pfohl

Dear Sisters & Brothers:

Shortly after my arrival as pastor I came to the conclusion that Jesse Lee would fulfill its calling most faithfully as a permission giving, multi-faceted church, which expected members to be ministers and trained and supported such callings.  I shared this vision and most have agreed to pursue it in principle.  This is the point of GROWING SELF 101 to 401.  The practical questions have been more of how and when to take important steps in that direction.  The role and responsibilities of staff and lay ministers is at the heart of our community character and I hope we will be in a place of clearly understood and functioning practical norms for these roles in 2010.

Appointment of Debbi Mygatt as Licensed Local Pastor and future staff

I expect that most of you have heard that Debbi Mygatt is pursing a call to ordained ministry.  We are blessed that Bishop Jeremiah Park appointed her as a ½ time licensed local pastor. Debbi will continue to hold the title of “Director of Prayer and Healing Ministries,” but with new pastoral credentials she will now be able to administer the Sacraments, officiate at weddings and funerals, and otherwise give pastoral leadership to the church.  With Debbi on staff as an addition to Pastor Doug and myself, we again have the equivalent of two full time clergy.  In order to empower the ministry of the lay ministers I expect to increase pastoral involvement and equipping in the area of adult ministries and hope that you all will be considering what kind of  “learning” environment will best help you to faithfully walk with the Lord, and if you are being called to give leadership in this area.

Ministry

We are in an important time in Jesse Lee’s history (50 years since the move to 207 Main Street and 40 years since the opening of the sanctuary) and I believe the vision and implementation we pursue now will affect the church for at least the next generation.  That is why we have several events to help us better grasp where we are and more intentionally listen for God’s voice as we seek the Kingdom in our future.  

The Leadership Summit sponsored by Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Illinois was simulcast all over the world and I and many staff and lay leaders participated at a teleconference site here in Bethel.  This event was inspiring and informative.  I can not predict what vision will emerge, but I believe it is important for us to seek and share what we are seeing.  Those who attended have been in conversation about how we might strengthen our ministry using what we learned.

The desire of the congregation to renovate the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Carriage House into a “parsonage quality” residence is on schedule to be finished this year. 

What to do now?

Right now I want you to pray daily both as individuals and in groups for our faithful discernment.  I want you to pray about your own ministry and sense of call.  I hope you will participate in the offerings which are designed to help us each to celebrate our individual S.H.A.P.E (Spiritual gifts, Heart, Attitude, Personality, and Experiences) which equips us for life and ministry.

I am so blessed to be a part of this wonderful church community, and trust that God will bring to completion what God has begun by the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace,  Bill