Now What?

Dear Trondhjem Friends,

Now what?

This is, I believe, a pressing question for this faith community right now. We have done a good deal of celebrating our 150th Anniversary and we have paid off our mortgage. This leaves us at a turning point in our ministry – historically and financially. So it’s an excellent time to ponder this questions – now what?

There are lots of ideas and excitement among about what ministries we expand and projects we should do next which is wonderful! As a faith community, we want to insure we enlist the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us in what we should be doing! And we have just the discernment process to help us with that over the next couple of months. And it’s something we are already familiar with.

VOCARE with a Purpose!  

Remember the spiritual practice of VOCARE – Values, Openness, Call, Attention, Regrets and Experience with God? This spiritual practice was the foundation of our participation in the Nourishing Vocation Project. This next step in the process will help us answer the question, “How is God calling us to participate in God’s work together?”  

This is a stewardship process in which we will take the next step in each of the aspects of VOCARE – we will move from:

• Values to Vision

• Openness to Opportunities

• Call to Connection

• Attention to Adaptation

• Regret to Renewal

• Experiences to Embodiment.  

VOCARE with Purpose will engage us in discernment around prayer, worship, learning, service, relationships, leadership, and financial generosity. I want to be clear that this is not a way to ask for money, rather it is a way for us to be faithful stewards of the incredible generosity this faith community has already shown. It is just as importantly a way for everyone in the faith community to be involved in these questions so that all voices are heard. Also, it is an important way in which we can be transparent in how we plan our ministry future to align with what God is calling us to do given our improving ministry resources.

There are multiple avenues in which to engage in this Spiritual practice that will include sermons, small groups, individual journals and online/digital avenues.  Our council leadership is enthusiastic about this process and has committed to engaging in it – I hope you will accept the invitation as well to find ways to participate that work for you.

Please watch for more specific information in the days and weeks to come!