“Now is the Time—KAIROS Report”!

Dear Friends in Christ:

We continue to move forward in a very special process at this time in the history of our congregation’s life, mission, and ministry. The Greek word “Kairos” is used in the New Testament to speak of God’s appointed time to act. It announces joyful and hopeful times of Good News.

On Thursday, March 12th, thirty-three members of our Congregation Council, Stewardship and Finance Board, and others met with Lutheran Pastor Jeff Kjellberg, one of the two principal owners of Kairos and Associates of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a nationally recognized Christian Consulting Firm which we have chosen to help us prepare a long-term strategy that builds on our past and present strengths as a congregation, and looks to God’s plan for a hopeful, effective, and blessed future for us, our children, and our children’s children. As the prophet of old spoke: “For surely I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

The next step in this process of assessment is to hold “listening sessions” for individual interviews, or 60-minute group discussions with a cross-section of church members. Pastor Jeff Kjellberg, and Pastor Jana Swenson will facilitiate these meetings.

On Friday, an email was sent to all members who are posted on this list. It asked that if you would like to be included in these “listening times”, that you phone or email the church office at 892-4040 or abidinglove@austin.rr.com; or, contact our Council Coordinator, Steve Kikta at 443-8947 or sekikta@aol.com . These meetings will take place during the mornings, afternoons, and evenings— Tuesday, March 24; Wednesday, March 25; and Thursday, March 26.

The leaders of our congregation believe that it is crucial to get a better understanding of how our members relate to this congregation, and what their experiences of giving have meant
to them.

There may still be time to hopefully include you. Please respond as soon as possible. And, of course, everyone can be in prayer during these three days for our consultants, Jeff and Jana, and all those who participate.

At our meeting last Thursday with Pastor Jeff, I quoted something he has posted on the Kairos website: “I am passionate about the church and its call to faithfully share the transforming love of Jesus Christ to all people. It is my desire to use my gifts in helping the church become as effective and far reaching in this mission as possible.” May all of God’s people at Abiding Love say “Amen” to that!

I conclude with a favorite Bible verse that Jeff shared with us: “Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine be glory in the church of Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

—Pastor David Fetter