Grace Together and a Word for 2026: Cultivate

For the past three years, we have dedicated time and resources toward creating a unified missional narrative across our ministry campus. It has been noble, enlightening work—and I truly believe it has strengthened both our church and our schools. As we enter 2026, I want to offer a few clarifying thoughts as we move forward together. 

Grace Together is the unifying banner that flies over our independent organizations. We share a name, but each ministry also has a unique identity and calling. Each organization must continue developing strategies that strengthen its mission, while fostering a culture of grace expressed in our shared narrative and values. 

It’s also important to remember that our campus is a shared resource solely owned by the congregation. Major changes or expansions require authorized consent from our church membership. At the same time, it is possible for the church and the schools to pursue unique initiatives to meet individual campus needs (including potential future capital campaigns) while continuing our unified mission.  With that in mind, I believe I need to focus greater attention on the particular mission of our congregation in order to lead us where God is calling us to go. 

I believe the Holy Spirit is calling us to cultivate in these ways:  

+ to test the soil of our new relationship with St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stacy, MN  

+ to plant seeds in the lives of potential future leaders for this congregation and God’s Kingdom 

+ to water the formational and missional values of our church  

+ to encourage growth in worship attendance, generosity, and community engagement  

+ to fertilize the fields of evangelism and witness to our neighbors  

+ to prune what is not producing fruit  

+ and to wait expectantly for the Spirit to show us where and how to break ground in new fields of community ministry  Cultivation is faithful work. It’s not rushed, flashy, or forced—it’s steady, intentional, and full of trust that God will bring the growth in the right season. 

Thank you for being part of this ministry family. I’m grateful for the way we continue to serve, worship, and walk forward together as a community of disciples on a mission of grace. And I’m excited to see what God will grow in us in 2026.