Louise is a current Church Council member, who holds a position that focuses on integrating members into congregation. She was also Amy's first assistant. Amy Daniels noticed her in the church office and invited her to meet with us in an impromtu interview.

FF: We'd love to hear a bit of your story

We have been members here for 14 years.  I have 3 kids:  the oldest is in her second year at college, I have one in high school, and my youngest is an 8^th grader.  I became involved right away because I had small kids and worked with Amy on the Elms program and other things.  Amy is a dynamic leader and she has grown the ministry by leaps and bounds. I worked for two years at Christ Lutheran and left to go back to school.

FF: So the ministry here has impacted your kids?

My oldest has so many gifts like Amy’s – she’s denying that now but I think she’ll be back. My kids plugged in to the music ministries and got involved.  My oldest daughter and Donna’s daughter started a new group called “THE EXPERIENCE.” That has built up our Senior High youth group during the transitions of youth directors.  Our youth program floundered quite a bit between directors.

FF: You’ve has a lot of turnover of youth directors.  Sometimes kids feel abandoned in all this transition. How has that affected your kids?

Probably 3 or so youth directors have directly affected my kids. Lets face it, we discovered it’s a hard job to fill, and hard job to do. We’ve just never found the right person for the job. We had a youth pastor for while but he wanted to do wider ministry. Now Scott brought Natalya and youth ministry is the best it has ever been. With the start of the Experience and now Natalya’s energy, we can bring kids back in and get them involved.

FF: So music ministry has empowered other youth ministry to take off

Yes.

FF: What area of worship do you connect most with?

I’ve always been in choir so I go to traditional.  I also love contemporary.  I get very energized in contemporary worship.

FF: Now you’re on church council – first time?

No.

FF: Tell us a bit about how church council works?

It’s much better now. The 1^st time I was on council there were 18 of us.  Now we’ve scaled down to 12. The whole atmosphere of council has changed to a visionary focus, previously we were way too involved in the nuts and bolts problems solving of the church. Now we empower others to do the ministry and we look ahead to see where we’re going.

FF: Sounds like a helpful change.  How did that change happen?

I’m not exactly sure. The change had to be the senior pastor, who recruited people who could be a part of the vision. Part of the original problem was the location of our council meetings. We used to meet in a small room and it was cramped.  Now we meet in a better room. Pause Other than that, I’m not really sure.

FF: So you’re suspicious that the senior  pastor has made that change – recruiting people who could vision…

I don’t know that he picks people but he sets the tone.

FF: What’s on the council’s current plate?

We are working hard on a capital campaign fund, acquiring property, and looking at a new building – those are the major issues now.

FF: Does it give you energy to be a part of this group?

Yes, there is a congregational atmosphere of moving forward, changing, growing. Last year’s council communicated let’s pull back and get the congregation on board so that now people are really excited to move forward.

FF: Sounds like the council has delegated authority and responsibility?

Yes.

FF: So they’ve become a group that is a permission giver?

Yes.

FF: How is God at work?

God is working in a lot of area in this church. We have pastors who are visionaries, and not willing to listen to the status quo. One of David’s gifts was to move us forward and to help us not be afraid to change. That is our call as God’s people to continue to learn and grow. We are blessed with wonderful staff and members, and the children’s center is a great ministry.

FF: How has your involvement with Christ Lutheran impacted you personally?

When I came to Christ Lutheran I was a baby in my faith. Through Pastor David’s sermons I really started to grow. After getting involved I became comfortable in my faith, and I hoped that I would pass my love for the church on to my children. My 16 yr old is questioning her faith now and that is hard for me, but I keep telling her that questions are how we grow in our relationship with God… For me this is the place where I want to be. I fell comfortable here, I love it here, it’s a great place.  I am blessed to have great friends.

FF: “Raising the bar” is a phrase we have heard today.  Is that true of confirmation?

Yes. Things are constantly changing – like service times. People fuss about it but after a couple weeks they’re over it.

FF: Where do the new members come from?

Mostly friends invite their friends to come. We have lots of former Catholics. We also have a lot of people who grew up in the church, left, but now that they have kids, they are coming back.

FF: Does this church seek to free and involve lay people?

Yes – our approach is clearly a team-based ministry.  Membership generated when people get involved.  The staff is very supportive of members who want to start outreach ministry or some ministry of their own.

FF: As the wider community looks at Christ Lutheran, is there a reputation that this church has?

Our biggest community connection is the Children’s Center. Other than that I don’t know that I could pinpoint anything specific.

FF: Why the children’s center? Is it because you are providing a needed thing in the community?

Yes.  (Knock on the door)

[Our interview time came to a rather sudden end as the person who was taking the team to lunch came into our office.  We thanked Louise for her time and met the person that was taking our team out to eat.] 

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Angela Powell- Lay person who revved up Milestone ministry

3/16 Over lunch at McAlester’s.

Hal, Greg, Dawn, Amy (Hal led, Amy took notes)

FF:       So tell us a little about yourself and how you got connected at Christ Lutheran

I’m a full time mom with kids 13-6-8 years old. Two years ago, Rollie came to look at Christian Foundations to see if it was publishable. Did marriage workshop Friday, Saturday presented child in our hands. I was the video-grapher – real interesting. “I was struck by a burning bush. God was saying, ‘you do this here at this place.’” I thought – I don’t know how! So I sat down with Amy to discuss how what we already had would fit in – Pastors say – if you want to see this happen, you’re it. A real challenge to get it going

Found liturgies from FaithInk – worked on workshops and what each age group would do

One year ago – Amy and I went to Augsburg Youth and Family for Milestone Ministry conference. That’s when Amy bought into milestone – I really felt supported.

FF:       What resources do you have to run this program?

Money – we used to get money from the men to buy Bibles for the 2^nd grade kids, but then the church gave them instead of the parents. We said let’s give them to parents so they can give them to the kids as they start 2^nd grade and confirmation. Remind them of the promises they made when their kids were baptized. Now milestone ministry is part of the budget.

Then lunch came and we chatted about her family…(She mentioned that her family was interviewed by The Lutheran)

I’ve had to work on my faith to keep up with my kids. My 2^nd kid at age 4 was having temper tantrums because she wanted communion. Last week, I was riding in the car with my youngest daughter and asked her what her favorite thing to do was – she said, “Give glory to God.” (General amazement by the group) So I asked, “how do you do that?” and she said, “Dancing.” She’s been involved in the liturgical dance group…

Husband involved in men’s ministry – which has really increased in the last 3 yrs. Now it’s good. Finally have good adult education on Sundays.

My 13 year old doesn’t like youth group, so he quit going. I told him he needed to do something on Wednesdays, so he helps out with the homeless people that stay in our church on Wednesday nights and has been enjoying that.

FF:       The Lutheran interview – why?

Children are spiritual beings – they are so close to God. They wanted to know what out of the milestones I have applied to my own family life. I think it’s about changing the lens you look at the world through – we need adults who are intentional about their own spiritual development. Those who aren’t their kids don’t grow in it either, or they grow together unintentionally. The other day my daughter said, “mom, sin is like the dishes in the dishwasher” that led to an unexpected conversation – and that’s how it works. Raising spiritual children has a lot to do with the parents

FF:       How does the church support you as a parent?

2-5^th grade is really good, intentional with parent and child working together. The staff will email out the SS lesson to parent so they can talk with kids about it. OK since Christ Lutheran writes the curriculum. Helps reinforce the lessons for kids. Parents are glad the kids get Bibles  - good excuse to read the bible and talk with kids about it.

I hang out at the office, so I hear a lot of nuggets like telling a dad to set his watch alarm for his kid’s lunch time and when it goes off to stop and say a prayer for his kid. My husband goes to the connections events with our kids – it was a good connecting point. They did the Ten Commandments together – she knows them. There are good connections that the church is doing.

Milestone Ministry-

Wanted to do home visits to newborns and parents. I was waiting for God to show me the people with a passion for this. Three women showed up and said we will visit these families at home before baptism class.

Milestone Ministry team: I want to give the ministry away and empower others so it won’t die if I leave. Example: A mom with a daughter age 3 and two school age kids wanted to help but didn’t have time to volunteer away from home. She administrates the cradle roll mailings, so I consider her on the team even though she doesn’t come to meetings.

Last year we did quillos (quilts that fold up into pillows) for the HS graduates – 4-5 women did those. Now that will become a monthly group so we can stockpile. That way the senior high kids who aren’t active will feel ok about taking them since we have lots.

Heritage chests for the women and men who make them that’s their ministry. A gift at for kids who are baptized. We don’t give them to adults.

FF:       Who pays for this stuff?

The lumber is donated.

FF:       So are you getting all the years now?

We evaluate every year. Our focus now will be on 0-6 yrs old. We do well with school age kids, but we need to help parents of younger kids. We need to help parents change the way they talk to their kids. It will impact them. Do parents have a spiritual goal for their kids?

FF:       How have milestones been incorporated in your home?

Instead of the 4 keys we do the Three Reaching Hands (mission statement)

We do FaithTalk cards, MealTime moments, prayer, conversation, questions, scripture. We worship together – we’ve never done SS and not church. Service is the weakest part of family ministry. My kids see my service, like when we cook meals for the family where the mom has breast cancer. Family service is strong in confirmation but not outside of it. I think that’s a weak link. We have lots of free form praying at meals. My 6 yr old offered one last week – she’s my quiet one. And that was awesome. We tried family devotions but that didn’t work for us – our kids are too far apart in age. At night we’ll talk about the day. Give opportunity to pray for thanks, what we need. In the morning I wake the kids up by whispering a morning prayer in their ear – very easy but many parents scared to do it.

FF:       What did you do in your life before kids?

Well, I have a degree in child development. I did childcare for three years – didn’t fit. I’ve been a stay at home mom ever since. Volunteering is my work – 2 days at school and 1 day at church. I was pretty equipped to be a parent.

Dick Hardel gave a great idea for pre-birth class. Have the couples come and give them a doll – they can sing church songs to them, pray with them – establish spiritual practices when the kids are too small to disagree. They can also practice physical care with the doll.

Quotable/Observations:

Angela seemed very at ease speaking about her personal faith journey and how that led her into becoming the force behind milestone ministry. She was very earnest about spiritual development as a part of the parent’s role, but eager to find ways to let the church help with that. As a lay person, she has taken a definite leadership role, and delegated both power and authority to other lay people as a part of the ministry. 

• “Pastors say – ‘if you want to see this happen, you’re it!’”
  
  
• Connections are made at Christ Lutheran between parents and kids, parents and God, kids and God, through the intentional ministries they have.
  
  
• Empowerment spreads – Angela, empowered by the pastors to go do it, empowers a woman with small children to be a part of the ministry without leaving home during the week.
  
  
• Quillos are an expression of grace – kids can have one whether or not they’ve been active because they have plenty.
  

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Reflective Comments of the Interviewing Team: Friday after-lunch period

•  The church takes its children and youth and their ability to contribute seriously. They are giving young people and children a sense of purpose and involvement.
  
  
• Recurring terms are “quality preaching,” “raising the bar,” “permission-giving culture.”
  
  
• There is frequent mention of the Holy Spirit (attributable to the heavily Baptist environment?).  But this is not emotionalism.  God is moving here and people are affirming that experience in their own lives.  They are not espousing a particular theology of sprit but affirming that God is at work in their midst.
  
  
• There’s a sense that they’re really “gung-ho.” But of course you’d recruit the people that are enthusiastic.
  
  
• There’s a sense that this is a place where if a person has a passion for something they are set free to pursue it and the church will find the resources to get it going.
  
  
• The congregation has a history of stable, long-term pastoral leadership. The first senior pastor is still here. There has been intentional cumulative development of ministry over the long haul. There has been teaching which has gone over time – a history of quality preaching, built into parents and young people – development of a culture
  
  
• Have they effectively displaced the youth director modality and filled that gap with other ministry approaches, but aren’t willing to let go of that idea?  Their next step may be to have a youth director with one specific mission – the general practitioner approach has not worked.  Or to have part-timers to cover specific areas e.g. outreach, mission, trips.  So why hasn’t this been addressed when everything else has been changed?
  
  
• The focus on development of programs for those up to 7^th grade corresponds with a more general trend in the last 10 yrs – to focus on elementary kids at the expense of senior high. Easier to get at elementary and junior high kids as they are more open. But even you do junior high ministry you have to do in a particular way to hold kids beyond that level.
  
  
• A sense of team really came out, and the way in which they make studying the word and praying together a priority.  The congregation sees them working as a team, as modeling team.
  
  
• They have embraced all kinds of different models and haven’t just adopted one - smorgasboarding/blending the pieces that seem to fit. They blend and tweak all the time. It takes a very unusual staff psyche to be able to put different approaches together. Most staffs can’t do that.
  
  
• People who came to this congregation 13 years ago were excited and still are? How does that happen – good transitions, good call committees?
  
  
• Staff members have been able to leave without their replacements saying the old administration was bad.
  
  
• Pastors seem to have affirmed the ministry of previous and future pastors.  The first pastor left saying “I can’t grow this,” and you need someone who can take you to the next level. The next pastor was not on about guarding his territory and sent 100 members off to start a new church.
  
  
• It ‘s great that they assume we will have the best worship experience of our lives here.

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D - Brave woman that emcees Fath Zone, the Sunday school big group thing.

L – Woman who teaches high school Sunday School

3/16 2:30p

Hal, Greg, Dawn and Amy. (Dawn led, Amy took notes)

FF:       We’re here to hear the story of this church – tell us your story

D: My husband is an organist – organ major but didn’t want to be a professional. Lived in TX during the oil crash – moved to Charlotte because we liked the place. Wanted a church where he could use his stuff but not commit every weekend. We wanted a church big enough that we wouldn’t be running things. “I’m Lutheran by birth he’s Lutheran by Bach” J We walked in and my husband fell in love with the organ. Children’s programs were good – just started the day care. We snuck in the back at worship, the pastors noticed us and invited us back for the next week. The next week pastor Dave welcomed us by name and we said, “We’re home” not a lot of cognitive choice we fell in love with it.

FF:       What does it mean you work with Amy?

D: I have been involved with youth stuff since I’ve been here. Used to be on stewardship committee before it changed format. I’ve also been involved as a teacher of Sunday school – taught 1 yr olds, but when we put the protection policy in place we couldn’t find anyone who would teach with me so that age went back to the nursery. Now I do the elementary kids.

FF:       Tell us about that

D: We had an ongoing problems with space, and also with girls dominating classes and boys not wanting to come. We found that putting together one group and splitting them into boys and girls – so we needed 8 classroom for 4 classes. So we put them all together and Amy emceed – now I do it. 8 tables in one room, high noise level. So they do table tasks, then prayer, offering, not music, then I teach the lesson because it’s easier to get 100 kids quiet with one person who has a microphone. We do games, the kids answer questions, then they go back to their table groups to life lesson groups – smaller with one teacher each. Noise level is really loud – people come down and ask us to be quiet. (she giggles) Always close with benediction – room for it to grow

FF:       How do you see kids being changed?

D: Just the knowledge these kids are gathering. We noticed kids didn’t know the structure of the Bible, so we started teaching them. So now I yell questions and they yell back the answers. Now kids want to come because its fun. I open myself up when I ask them for their questions, or to ask them questions. You never know what they’re gonna say, so I have to explain it on my feet. The kids get it. I’ve worked professionally with kids – now I do retreat weekends with teenagers – but that’s more as equals. I can’t teach a teenager, but I can with elementary kids, I love it.

FF:       How has each person in your family benefited?

D: Husband – organists traditionally sit and wait to be told what to do. Now he’s branching out and doing all other kinds of things, experimenting in other areas. Oldest went through the transition with Sunday school, so that was hard for him. He runs the sound board at contemporary service, loves the music, works The EXPERIENCE and is also involved in theater at school as well as sports.

[L arrived – so we took a break and did introductions. J]

D: We’re very involved with Teens Encounter Christ [TEC] and (our older son) has been really involved with that and through church he’s gotten really strong bonds. TEC has grown because Sally and Jeff are hooked into TEC.

Youngest has a disability – is a mama’s boy at age 12 has always felt like he belongs here. Have struggled with some of the programming, and with hearing loss has a hard time hearing what’s going on a contemporary worship. As he’s grown he’s developed friends here, lots of special education teachers who took him under their wing. Youth group is big enough that he has a small group of friends that he hangs out with. That’s been good for him. He’s right brained – and there are a lot of right brain kids here. Athletes, really good students, and the right brain fringe. At a smaller church he might not have that niche. I just love being here. I don’t know how I’ve benefited, music and opportunities.

FF:       (to L) how’d you get hooked in what’s your story?

L: Feel like I’ve always been a part of this community. Part of a group that moved over from St. Mark’s Lutheran, plus other friends that are from the community. My son started here when the day care opened as an infant – we joined 3 ½-4 years ago. Our big reason for changing churches was numbers. My son is 11 – and there were no boys his age (girls don’t count at that age), so there was no one to do things with.

FF:       So the children program drew you?

L: YES

FF:       How have you benefited?

L: My son would say he doesn’t like it, but he goes of his own free will. He has friends within the larger group. My daughters – probably would have been involved regardless of where they were.

FF:       How about you?

L: I’m involved with Branching out on Wed and senior high Sunday school – I feel like I get a lot of support in those areas – I didn’t feel that way at my former church. Big difference that way. My husband I don’t know – definitely he has because we are all active at church.

FF:       Tell us about Senior High Sunday school?

L: I learn a lot they’re such a good group I enjoy being with them. They are very accepting of each other for a group of teenagers. We have 10 high schools in the Charlotte area

D: They come from several high schools, particularly the private schools

L: I don’t think many of them are friends from school

FF:       What keeps them coming?

L: We talked about that in Sunday school last week. 25% because of parents, rest come because of the group. Lots of kids who come whose parents don’t come to church

D: A lot of kids who come up through THE EXPERIEINCE and now do adult activities rather than attending Sunday school.

FF:       How do people feel about kids doing adult things?

D&L: Good

D: Kids tend to have roles in Sunday school and contemporary services.

L: We’re getting some who are involved now in more traditionally adult roles

FF:       What’s the best thing here?

D: It’s the true witness of the music for me. We’re a very musical family. Its not just traditional stodgy Lutheran music they are experimenting all the time

L: The best things are acceptance and support. If music is your thing that’s accepted and supported. You don’t hear ‘We’ve never done that before.’

D: Have an idea, get a team.

FF:       Would you say empowering?

L: Yes.

FF:       Your involvement in senior high Sunday School – how did that come about?

L: I felt called. Thinking about teaching and that I wanted to and wondered where. We were in a meeting and Amy said we need a teacher for senior high and it hit me, that’s where I need to be.

FF:       So you felt called ahead a time that this might be a way to share your gifts?

L: YES

FF:       And how long have you been doing it?

L: 2 years

FF:       Say more about this have and idea get a team culture – that’s rare. Any idea how that came about?

D: A lot from the philosophy of the leadership we’ve had. David would try anything. 10 years ago we were growing so fast so he put new members into groups with existing members. That’s where the idea started that ministry is done by these groups. Then it turned into small groups to meet people’s needs. Example: Moms group ‘Manna for Me’ organized by moms with small kids.

FF:       Some where along the line this was communicated clearly to you?

D: Yes. Amy says, ‘Come to me and work it out.’ If we have a problem we’ll come up with a solution.

FF:       Leadership has communicated an invitation for congregation members to make ministry happen here. 2^nd piece its been proven through Amy’s encouragement and others.

L: Yes, you can start a new program if you want, but they don’t just put bodies in existing programs.

FF:       So you weren’t just filling a slot, you were called to shape it.

L: Yes, the lessons we use are mine. We follow the sermon series

D: Eight years ago we dumped the lectionary, now we write our own. Use hands-on stuff for ideas. Used to be volunteers that wrote it, now there’s a volunteer brainstorming committee and the staff writes it. We moved from the lectionary to accommodate new Christians – at contemporary worship we used to only read the gospel and the sermon would be explaining it. So they come up with a series and something cool to talk about. For example, Castaway the movie was part of the theme – and then everyone works on it in education hour so the whole family can talk about it later in the day

FF:       Do they talk about it?

L: Yes. Not every week.

FF:       Do other parents and kids?

D: Older kids are expected to do a table talk (as a part of confirmation), so that’s part of the deal each week.

FF:       In the life of your kids, as parents, what are some of those important moments that the church helps create for them?

D: Confirmation camp. For both my kids was a really strong impact. Required (strongly urged) to do one summer in confirmation – two summers to choose from after 6 or 7^th grade. Can do twice if there’s space. Our staff goes along.

L: I don’t know about defining moments. I don’t think the programs are as important as the day-to-day things

FF:       Church as a part of regular routine…

L: Makes a big impact. My kids aren’t confirmation age, so that might change in a few years. Christian Foundations are good programs and my children enjoy them, but I don’t think that’s what keeps them interested.

FF:       So what does?

L: Wednesday night programs

D: Dinner is great – knowing someone is going to cook it for you. Stuff to do with kids starting at 6 – can have dinner with other adults or your kids. Programs for kids and for adults

L: Something for everyone – every interest

D: You should take a look at a Wed night schedule – it’s lighter now, during Lent

FF:       As you look forward to involvement in the future anything that’s pulling you toward that future?

L: Programs or…?

FF:       What are your future hopes as you continue to see your family being nurtured in this place?

D: I would love to do Spirit Song when my youngest is more independent. It’s a big time commitment that I can’t make right now.

FF:       So you have personal growth to look forward to?

D: mm-hmm

FF:       How has the growth in the youth program happened?

D: One thing THE EXPERIENCE. The first year they had 1/3 of what they have now. It’s almost too big for my son. The kids bring friends – like my son’s girlfriend is a part of it with him.

FF:       Working together has been a bonding experience?

D: The working together, conflict and resolution, now they are really good friends and they want to come and hang out with their friends, they sit together in the corner at worship. Youth house on Friday night has something to do with it

FF:       Lynn you mentioned you felt supported – what does that look like?

L: A lot of it is attitude. I ‘m given the choice of an online lesson I can choose to use or not. Whichever I choose to use is ok. Things I ask for I get. Not so much specific but I feel it. I’m not out there by myself even though I am the sole teacher. I don’t feel alone.

FF:       You feel affirmed?

L: Yes. I’ve never felt like even when I’ve had an idea to pursue it was never left to struggle with it on my own. There were people there to help.

FF:       Often it happens that kids do confirmation then exit. Does this church hang on to its kids?

D: Confirmation in 8th grade and we have a ton of high school kids. We are drawing high school kids from other churches

L: And high school kids who aren’t anything – not Christian.

D: Music helps

L: That’s a concern for me, and I have a feeling in my family we will come to a parting of ways because I am very traditional and the contemporary is a big draw for my kids.

D: That has already happened in my family. My husband and I attend separately. My boys go to traditional. Its tough when you have different worship styles

L: 8^th grade is a vulnerable group because they are transitioning not quite high school youth group yet, so they have a year in limbo. They do have Sunday School but I don’t know what they do in it. Natalya teaches that year.

D: She is a great reason the youth has increased. She really loves those kids!

FF:       Any other summary comments?

L: We’re not limited to traditional things. Ex. Branching out on Wed nights isn’t a normal church youth group thing. We do service projects, art things, projects, visit older folks, ecology projects, science experiments – for the non-musical folks.

FF: More socially active.

L: Yes, for elementary age kids. It’s accepted under the umbrella of ministry here where somewhere else it might not be something you’d do at church. It doesn’t have a tie for things you’d usually do in church and I’ve really valued that for my kids

D: I think we have been so blessed to have progressive leadership and as we added to our leadership in the back of every call team member’s mind was we want to keep this going. This is the most evangelical Lutheran church I’ve ever been a part of. The call committees were committed to getting and eclectic staff with a shared vision. Talented lay staff - that’s where we are successful. This would all fall apart if we didn’t have leadership that saw this as a mission for God. Scott is at the top running this like a corporation leading and delegating – you don’t see that in a lot of senior pastors. “The leadership believes in what we’re doing”

FF:       You are being supported and led in what you’re passionate about.

D: “We are the church, and the pastors support us”

L: That’s exactly it. At St. Mark they tried to force you into what they wanted done, that doesn’t happen here.

D: We love our church. Our growth is incredible – however we can share it we’re glad to do it.

L: My kids feel comfortable here

D: Kids are so comfortable here they wander a lot.

L: What do we see for the future – my hope for the new sanctuary is that we will be desegregated and worship together in the same space.

FF: So space is the issue?

L: We’re so large we don’t know everyone, but with totally different services there are people you never pass in the hallway.

D: Lighter schedule will be easier on the staff – not competing worship times, Sunday school times.

FF:       Where/when is senior high Sunday School?

L: 9:40 in the youth house.

FF:       Can I close our time together with prayer? [and he did]

Quotables/Comments

Lynn expressed feeling that people are honored for their gifts and asked to serve in ways they feel called to, rather than filling in gaps in existing programs. Both women feel very supported by the church staff, and encouraged to try new things. An example of being empowered to do something you feel passionate about is Lynn’s work with Branching Out. That’s her way of making Christ Lutheran a place for kids who aren’t into music stuff involving them in typically “non-church” stuff at church. Also, kids bring their friends to church – they are the evangelists of the congregation.

• D - “I’m Lutheran by birth he’s Lutheran by Bach” (regarding herself and her husband)J
  
  
• L - You don’t hear, “We’ve never done that before.”
  
  
• D - This is the most evangelical Lutheran church I’ve ever been a part of. The call committees were committed to getting and eclectic staff with a shared vision… This would all fall apart if we didn’t have leadership that saw this as a mission for God.
  
  
• D – “we are the church, and the pastors support us”

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SS- Adult woman, small group leader for confirmation (has 14 & 11 yr old)

KG – 7^th grade girl

JW – Sophomore in college, woman

DD – 2^nd grade boy

JD – 6^th grade girl

3/16 4pm

Greg, Dawn, Hal, and AmyG.

Hal led, Amy took notes

FF:       Think about this last year since school started. What are the ways church has affected your life?

SS: These kids, their life is this church.

JW: This church is a place to come home to – 3 years ago you would have seen me running around all the time. I have probably been involved in every aspect of this church.

SS: Joined 3 yrs ago. I was raised Presbyterian, married someone who got away from organized religion. Everywhere I’ve searched for a church home, I knew I would be the one taking our kids to church. He didn’t want to be a part of organized religion until we came here. They have lots of programs for kids – so great. I got him here by promising food on Wed. night. Since then he’s joined the church, and this is our extended family. Our kids went through 1^st communion and confirmation here. Teaching confirmation was Amy’s way of letting me re-explore our faith. It’s brought the faith back into our family after it was missing for 20 yrs of marriage and 14 yrs of having kids. Church so inviting, music is great. For me it’s more spiritual. Now he’s involved in men’s stuff, softball team, hands on stuff. Very inviting. It’s become a central part of our life. Before it was just a big hole in our life. Now we’d never miss a Sunday. Confirmation class is on Sunday – and it’s helped me relate to my daughter better. Plus it keeps me grounded and recharged for the week. I would credit my success in my career to my relationship with God.

FF:       Complete the sentence, “The thing I like best about Christ Lutheran…”

KG: Retreats – confirmation, ski retreats. We just did a ski retreat. We left on Thursday, skied all day Friday, in the eve have recaps of the day in small groups. Saturday 2-3 hour sessions to learn Apostles Creed, split into groups, broke for lunch, went to the mall, then back for more study.

FF:       So it’s a place to hang out with friends?

KG: Definitely. All my friends are there

SS: My daughter has lots of close friends that aren’t from her school that are very important to her.

JW: My only friend I keep in touch with is from here, not from high school. This was a connecting place for me.

JD: Activities and events, 10 Commandments, Apostles Creed events, what they do is fun – the activities. Sometimes they have game shows, debates…

KG: Skits and role plays.

JD: I don’t have many friends at school that go to this church, but I still have friends I hang out here with.

FF:       So you have different friends at school and church?

JD: Similar personalities, different people

FF:       So confirmation trip coming up – how do kids talk about it?

JD & KG: Totally excited. They really look forward to it

JW: My confirmation was totally dry and boring first year. Second year got better, started bringing more music, go out and do stuff. It has just exploded since then. My little sister has had a way better experience – I would have cared more about it if it had been like this when I did it

FF:       High expectations, relationships are important?

KG: For example, we played capture the flag last week and we had to get to know people on our team

DD: Activities in faith zone. When we first get there we do activity sheets. Then we’re going to do first communion – that’s really cool. I’m looking forward to that.

FF:       What’s it like to have mom around all the time?

DD: It’s ok. Whenever I need to do something soon and she takes me I hate it because she always talks. J

FF:       As a group give some comments about worship? What makes you feel close to God?

Group – MUSIC

JW: Upstairs and downstairs but particularly downstairs. So relaxed, so laid back, so energizing. I really feel the Holy Spirit in me when I worship. The music is something any one of any age can understand. As you grow you learn to understand other parts of the service.

DD: I like the pastors and music. Pastor Scott – during worship he’s funny, like with children’s worship, and last week he brought in some sports stuff

JD: I remember the first time I understood his sermon  - the way they do their sermons makes it so easy to understand.

SS: Scott takes a lot of current events – like this children’s time with the sports page. Wanted to know about the weather – can’t find the answer here. Related it to the bible – gotta ask the right questions for the resource you’re using.

JW:  They talk on different levels. Express same points in a different way so that people from different ages can get something out of it.

SS: I always feel like they’re talking to me. Other people feel the same way. Scott has that, so does Jeff – sermons are very contemporary without being charismatic. Always meaningful for me. I never slept or daydreamed during a sermon. I am interested and want to listen.

JD: makes it easier to understand when they relate to stuff I understand – like the sermon when Pastor Jeff told about the time he got in trouble in college.

FF:       This is music to a pastor’s ears. J Music is important here – how about your involvement?

FF:       (to JL) Did you start the EXPERIENCE?

JW: Yes, me and my best friend. It was really hard work at the beginning. Now it has exploded its so fun to come back and see how its grown.

SS: The music here is so great it makes the hair stand up on your arms.

JW: There are so many different music opportunities: Choirs, flutes, strings, dance, handbells, drama and clowning – so you can praise God even if you’re not musical.

SS: Dramas are great. Since we’ve been here we’ve had wonderful drama

JW: I feel like I’ve watched the church grow up, parking, facilities, the gym, it’s wonderful. It’s hard to imagine the way it used to be

SS: so many people it makes you feel good

JW: Hard to find a parking place, but it’s cool

FF:       Music is one of the keys, involves you at different age groups. How about 6-7^th grades?

JD: Strings and flutes, but no choir

KG: Voted last year not to have it.

FF:       How about sports?

JD: I play basketball and softball at church.

JW: Not competitive at all. We have some stuff on videotape that doesn’t look like softball. Fun permeates- a girl caught a ball and her teammates ran and hugged her instead of throwing the hitter out.

DD: There’s a lot of playing here. Vicar Paul plays football with me; we wrestle.

KG: Vicar Paul touches base with most of the kids because he’s younger,

DD: He told us about playing football on the ice in Minnesota.

SS: Growing up I don’t think the senior pastor knew my name. Scott and Jeff know my kids because they’ve been with them on retreats and stuff.

JW: When I was growing up I felt like I could come over to their office and talk to them. They had an open door.

SS: Hands-on activities that they are involved in makes them seem more human and approachable like when Jeff dresses up like Moses. Not someone to be feared, but someone to be respected, but still approachable.

FF:       Wonder with me, why is a church like this important? How does what happens here at church help you enter into God’s space feel, experience, God’s love?

JW: Part of it is walking into a room of people who believe what you do. I just got into a Christian group at school and that has made a huge difference. It’s a comforting thing, its watching God reach out to people regardless of age.

KG: This summer at camp something just clicked – it was so beautiful there. Being at camp helped me withstand the peer pressure that comes with 7^th grade.

FF:       Something that happened at camp made you feel like God made a difference?

JW: Also National Youth Gathering before my junior year [of high school]. Totally amazing. Go if you get the chance.

DD: It makes me feel that I’m with God – yesterday I was reading a book with my mom about a lady that was old who went to church every Sunday. Her favorite verse was with God anything is possible.

SS: Church is important because it reaches out to the unchurched like my husband thru music fellowship, reaching out, teaching about God. Approachable non-threatening. Not what I grew up with. From the first time I walked through the door I felt like I could do this. Anyone could come here and maybe start again, be a part of the community. It’s a part of being a part of a community of believers. Everybody wants you to be involved – come to Wed together. We have a table now if someone’s missing we say, ‘where’s such and such?’ Very accessible regardless of what level you’re on with your relationship with God.

FF:       So, Jessie – National Youth Gathering was a holy moment?

JW: Doesn’t even begin to describe it. Peace, joy excitement, awe, one speaker reached out and touched everyone – joy sadness, love - it was just incredible.

FF:       There are also holy moments in the life of the church. What have been holy moments here?

SS: Wed nights when I don’t have to cook. Watching people rally around a family member that was in a serious accident I was so proud. Wed is my time with my church family. It’s a holy moment when they ask you to help someone in need.

JW: My senior exit project all three of these kids were involved. It was a Christmas program. I was so nervous because I was gonna get graded. I prayed and it went off without a hitch. God took care of it and made everything work just fine. Everyone told me the Holy Spirit would take care of it and he did.

DD: I was baby Jesus in the Christmas program when I was little. My mom kept saying, ‘Don’t drop that baby!’

JD: I think the Christmas musical I was doing sound backstage and I was so nervous I would make it make that huge noise. But I made it through and it was such a relief!

FF:       That’s a lot of responsibility! This is clearly a very important place to you – what would the main thing be?

JW: The people. Nothing can happen without the people. You can have the church with great music but without the people you wouldn’t have anything

SS: Mission to the unchurched. I wouldn’t be here without that.

KG: Youth. I can’t say anything else. I know the youth programs are awesome and they mean something.

DD: People on the staff that make the worship and Kristin’s dad [Mark].

JD: The youth staff. Natalya. I can talk to her about anything – she’ll keep it and not tell all my friends.

KG: Last year I had a friend who was being a big problem and I talked with Natalya about it and she was a big help and never told anyone anything.

SS: Natalya has a big book in her office. The kids can write their questions in it, then she writes back. She really loves the kids. Now my daughter has started asking, ‘Are we going to church now?’ and we thought, ‘This is something! Let’s go to church !!’

DD: When my dad was young he liked church but not SS, so he used to pretend he was sick.

Quotables/Summary

• JW: This church is a place to come home to
  
  
• JD: I remember the first time I understood [Pastor Scott’s] sermon  - the way they do their sermons makes it so easy to understand.
  
  
• SS: [Scott and Jeff’s] sermons are very contemporary without being charismatic. Always meaningful for me. I never slept or daydreamed during a sermon. I am interested and want to listen.
  
  
• SS: The music here is so great it makes the hair stand up on your arms.
  
  
• JW: [there’s lots of activities] so you can praise God even if you’re not musical.
  
  
• SS: From the first time I walked through the door I felt like I could do this. Anyone could come here and maybe start again, be a part of the community. We have a table now [at Wednesdays together] and if someone’s missing we say, ‘where’s such and such?’
  
  
• H: Holy moments are… SS: Wednesday nights when I don’t have to cook.

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We were invited to join the staff at a local restaurant for informal conversation. The staff who attended with their spouses were:

Donna Hanna, Assistant Music Minister

Amy Daniels, Director of Family Ministries

Stephanie Burke, part time assistant to Amy for Christian Ed, former Youth Director here

Stacie Loizeaux, assistant to Amy, runs Alpha

Natalya Legvold, Youth Director

Jan MacLeod, Administrator of Christian Foundations and Confirmation

Paul Nynas, vicar

It is obvious that this group of staff people enjoy being together in social settings. We were told that it is not uncommon for the staff to gather for social interaction on a Friday evening. Conversation was lively and welcoming. The humor that was shared among the staff and spouse individuals was warm and offered in a friendly teasing manner. There was a mutual respect and value for each person’s gifts and skills that are shared in the ministry. Other staff members who were not present were spoken of in a respectful and affectionate way.

As our conversation came to an end we transitioned to the church for a dessert together. After sharing some informal time, Dawn and Amy lead a discussion with the staff and spouses and Hal and Greg observed the Youth House evening program.

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