Pastor’s Ponderings—May 2026
To the church of God as found at Marion Salem Church, called to be saints together with those in every place who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: You are miracles of God’s grace and mercy!
I like to remind folks that each season has it’s own kind of crazy. In the Church, many of my colleagues think that if they get past Easter there will be a lull in the action and some breathing space. Unfortunately, May is when the church starts gearing up for summer ministries like VBS and the Ice Cream Social. You’ve got Mother’s Day, Graduation, and Memorial Day during this month. There are meetings that prepare for Annual Conference and gearing up for that gathering. And if you aren’t at least thinking about next Fall’s plans, then when that comes around you’ll be behind. So then, with all this happening, why add to it when you don’t have to? It’s because it’s important.
Let me explain what I am talking about. When we started on building rhythms of how we will live into the new chapter of ministry at Salem Church, I knew that transparency and communication were going to be important values for leadership. We have been through a season of tumultuous change, and unfortunately in our world of continuous change, I have the sad duty to say there will be more change in the future. Change is not necessarily good or bad, it just is. We can either stick our heads in the sand and deny what’s happening, or be intentional about how we respond. That’s why it is absolutely imperative that leaders be intentional about what is happening.
Early on, I encouraged the various committees to do their best to create a “congregational readout.” A readout is an abbreviated synopsis of major actions at the meeting, kind of like the minutes. I’ve never had a congregant ask for the minutes of a meeting (and most churches I’ve pastored were a little surprised that I ask for 3 years worth of minutes). Yet, the first time we did a readout there was positive response—because it showed transparency in the midst of big changes.
Likewise, I asked our Administrative Council to step out in faith and do a congregational update in the spring. Every fall we have Church Conference (it’s tradition), which is where various matters of business are voted on for the coming year. Twelve months is a long time to bring the congregation together to share about what is going on in the administrative life of the church. A good balance is semi-annual and that is why we are having a Congregational Update on May 17th. It is an opportunity for the congregation to hear from the leadership and for questions to be asked.
Ministry is not accomplished by a single person (the pastor), those who are paid (the staff), or those in recognized roles (lay leaders). Everyone in the congregation is responsible for the ministry of the local church. We do not have to have a Congregational update, nothing constrains us to do this. We do it because we want to take intentional steps to be transparent and communicate what is happening and coming in the future. So make plans to join together at the potluck after worship on Sunday, May 17th. Bring some food, have some fellowship, and celebrate Christ’s work among us!
Blessings
Jason
