At our November Congregation Meeting, I shared some of the results of a visioning meeting the Church Council had with Rev. Dr. Keith Haney from our Iowa District West office. In this process, we learned that there are two main things that separate us from our community: age and how we communicate. We can’t do anything about the first gap but we can do something about the second gap. That’s the vision going forward: engaging people where they are even if it’s uncomfortable for us or doesn’t seem to benefit us.

Here’s the vision statement that we presented and that guides us for the next few years: Over the next seven years, we envision a church that builds meaningful connections across generations, using technology to BRIDGE THE GAP and reach our community. Through these relationships, we will plant seeds of the timeless Gospel, trusting God to bring forth His harvest in the right season. 

Here’s what what we mean by some of the terms above:

Seven years… this isn’t going to happen overnight and frankly, we don’t have a plan yet, we only have a vision. We must figure out where we are and what steps it will take to get us from here to there.

Meaningful connections… both age groups we looked at expressed a desire for connections and relationships. People are lonelier now than they have been in decades and no one wants to be that way. How do we address this?

Across generations… we don’t want to have a divided approach or a “young people church” and an “old people church.” God calls us to bring people of all ages together into one Church.

Using technology… we don’t know technology, but the younger generation lives there. Therefore, we must learn how to go where they are. This is where we’ll see the most change.

Bridge the Gap… This is the phrase that we’ll use to sum up our efforts. We’re going to work on building a bridge from our side to theirs instead of expecting them to come to us.

Plant seeds… This is another reminder that things will not happen overnight and it’s also a reminder that God is the only one who can bring the growth. 

Trusting God… We’ll work diligently to do what we can, but we also have to let God do what only He can do. We bathe this whole process in prayer.

His harvest… We are seeking to grow God’s kingdom, not necessarily our own congregation. We’re hoping that “a rising tide lifts all ships” and an increase in God’s kingdom will mean good things for Mt. Calvary as well.

I know this vision statement is long and not as concise as it could be. That’s why we’re focus on the bold part above: Bridging the Gap. We’ll have more information as we finalize a plan. In the meantime, we really need your prayers for this vision, that God would show us HOW to do what He is calling us to do.

                                                      In Christ,

                                                     Pastor Tom Vanderbilt