“KAIROS” — Now Is the Time!

Dear Friends in Christ:

On Sunday, February 15th, at 12:15 p.m., we held a special meeting of he Congregation to employ KAIROS Christian Resource Development Consultants of Minneapolis, Minnesota to help us in:
Strategic Future Planning for our mission and ministry;
Stewardship Education and Development;
Leadership Development; and,
A Capital Fund Appeal to reduce debt, improve our building’s infrastructures, and stabilize our present financial situation.

I am thankful for the positive participation of the 91 persons present, and for the very open and honest discussion. We voted to approve entering into a contract with KAIROS, a Lutheran-based company that we used in 1997 for our “Forward in Faith” Appeal that resulted in the building of our Worship/Administrative and Education Center.

I am very confident that we have made a good decision that will help this Abiding Love Church address our present challenges, and prepare us for our future by cultivating a VISION to inspire us toward one common purpose, FAITH that embraces the truth that the good work God has begun will be completed, and COURAGE to focus on God’s dream for our ministry that has touched us, and will touch the hearts of others yet to join in the “Abiding Love Story”!

This weekend, leaders of our Congregation will be meeting with Rev. Jana Swenson, Kairos Consultant, on Saturday, Feb. 21st, 8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m. for a “Visioning for the Future Together” Retreat. On Sunday, Feb. 22nd, Jana will be with us all day visiting our worship services, educational activities, youth programs, etc. To help introduce Jana to you, please read the following:

Jana Swenson
Consulting Associate

Rev. Jana Swenson comes to Kairos after 14 years of effective and innovative ministry in a variety of congregational settings, providing leadership in rural, urban, and suburban churches with worship attendance ranging from 300 to 3000. She is a perceptive and visionary leader with a pioneering spirit and a heart for people. She is passionate about the transforming power of the gospel in individuals and organizations. From her vast experience she understands that each congregation has its own unique footprint.

Skilled at helping congregations articulate a clear and compelling vision for the future, Jana is an expert in forming a plan to get there and a strategy to develop the physical and financial resources needed to make it happen. Her approach to resource development is prayerful, strategic, and inventive, with an understanding that there is both challenge and exhilaration that comes in leading a congregation through this process.

Jana's commitment is to invite people into community, bring them deeper into their relationship with God, and with one-another, cast vision for the life-changing difference they can make, and then stand back and watch as God brings them to deeper levels of faith, commitment, and generosity. She is inspired by the joy and fulfillment that accompany a life-style of generosity.

Jana has also served as a consultant and speaker to churches of various sizes, settings and denominations. She has written training materials for small group leaders and ministry directors, and has assisted numerous churches in establishing, expanding, and rejuvenating their ministries. Jana grew up in Bloomington, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. She graduated from Gustavus Adolophus College and has her Masters of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul. She is married to Reverend Jonathan Swenson, a Worship Pastor at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. They reside in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with their two beautiful and active teenage daughters.

I encourage you to visit the Kairos web page at:
www.kairosandassociates.com for more information.

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

—Pastor David Fetter

Note: A 12-hour “Prayer Vigil” was held at our church on Tuesday, Feb. 17th, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for this important step in our congregation’s journey. Thank you to all who participated.