As many of you know, Wellshire has been approached about the possibility of moving to a new location just eight-tenths of a mile down the road. Just like the hiring of an Assoicate Pastor for my position last year, the response to investigate this opportunity is based strictly on the strategic plan adopted last year.
In true Presbyterian fashion, the strategic plan was developed over several months of careful study and prayer by a committee and drew from the wisdom, intelligence and imagination of the entire congregation with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Even after its adoption, the portions that related to Youth and Young Adults and Worship Leadership were not immediately implemented, but rather a nominating committee was formed to determine what sort of ministerial position would fulfill those needs and what sort of person would be able to serve the congregation best in meeting those needs and goals. That committee was tasked with and entrusted with the decision to investigate the possibilities rigorously and faithfully on behalf of the church and to then present a candidate to be examined by the church and voted on. That committee took months to decide and did so carefully because the life of Wellshire, its future and the growth of the Church catholic were all intertwined with that final decision.
Like the position of Associate Pastor of Youth, Young Adults and Alternative Worship and the various candidates, the possibility of a move down the street is being considered solely because of the needs expressed in the strategic plan. And like the process to determine the specific shape the Associate Pastor position might take, even considering bringing the move to a vote will require faithful members to investigate the possibility from every vantage, fiscal, architechual, personal, spiritual and emotional with wisdom, intelligence and imagination and the prayerful support of the congregation so that we might be led as a community by the Spirit.
The Spirit may lead us to stay or to go, but as believers and as Presbyterians, we will not make any decision without prayerful discernment, thoughtful discussion and careful and thorough investigation. To that end, the feasibility study has set up an e-mail account to listen and to give opportunity to every member to voice their ideas, their concerns, their expertise and their faithful accountability in the study of this opportunity. If you would like to contact the feasibility study, please direct your e-mails to: AskTheWell@WPCDenver.org and you may certainly speak to the members of the feasibility study group or any of the pastors at Wellshire, myself included.
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
Luke 18:1
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
