Jesus in our place
Dear LTCC Family,
I was reminded by someone recently of the simplicity of the gospel. Jesus in our place. Jesus took the eternal punishment I deserve for my sin. How many times have we heard that in our Christian lives? It seems so rote, so common to us as believers. But, there is no other truth that can anchor our souls when we peer into eternity.
It is the reality of the gospel that gives us a firm footing not only for our eternal future, but also for the now. The Church is a blood-bought people purchased by Jesus. He is the head of the Church. He is the head of our church. If Jesus started something in us, He is going to finish it (Phil. 1:6). That ought to be reassuring for us in the “now” we find ourselves in at Lake Tapps Community Church. Christ is at work in us.
Thank you for leaning in to pray as a church family each week before we gather to worship. It has been a sweet time of turning our hearts to the Lord and seeking his direction. He has been working in each of us. Thank you also for engaging the affirmation process. The feedback received during this time has been so valuable.
As a quick reminder and reference to a previous weekly check-in on Dec. 9th, we have viewed a way forward with the following steps:
Pause
o All Sr. Pastor search activity has been paused.
o During this time of pausing, prayer, as mentioned above, has been key. If you haven’t been able to make it at 9:15 am before the service at 10:00 am, please join us.
o This has given us all time to work through myriad emotions and feelings in a God-glorifying way.
Affirm
o The first step to moving forward as a church family is having a leadership in place that has been affirmed by our membership.
o With the affirmation process in motion, we would encourage you to access the information provided here about the process. Please be sure to submit feedback about how you engaged the process.
o Voting for those elders and deacons who are up for affirmation began online last week and will continue through the end of day on the 27th. Click here to vote now.
o The results of the affirmation process will be shared at the Jan. 29th Annual Member Meeting.
Restore
o With affirmed leaders recognized, the work of the elders and deacons can begin with regard to feedback surrounding the leadership structure and associated processes.
o This will also be a time of continued healing.
o Looking at leadership processes and also healing at the same time may require outside help (as communicated Dec. 9th and in last week’s check-in). There is no understood timeline for how long this could take.
Resume
o Once health has been restored, the Sr. Pastor search will resume.
o One of the questions that has been asked is, “Has Nathan withdrawn his application?” As was noted in the Dec. 9th check-in, Nathan communicated then that he was not ready to step into the Sr. Pastor role even if the church family was ready. So, in effect, there are currently no applications “on the table” so to speak, nor will there be until we reach this step of resuming the search process.
o At that time, the Succession Committee will resume its work of walking through its process of searching for our next Sr. Pastor.
Though so much of the times that we’re in seem complicated, there is a simplicity that grounds us. Jesus in our place. Without that truth, we wouldn’t even be assembled as God’s people. Though imperfect, Jesus is our perfection. That’s a truth that holds us now and for eternity.
Brian, for the elders and deacons
Please note: The pre-reading for the Members’ Meeting will be available this Sunday.
Reminder: Bible Study registrations are open. Check out the Bible study stations in the foyer this and next Sunday! Click here to register before the deadline of 1/22!