HCLM BLOG

Today we were talking about next steps and where we go from here now that Pastor Jon will soon be leaving…and it just makes me think, “Man, there’s a lot we got to take care of!”  Jon was in charge of a lot and did a lot of things around here so there are a lot of unknowns and a lot of blanks to fill in!  Just when you think you’ve got things figured out and you get into a rhythm, it seems like life takes a different turn!  Why does it seem like God never lets us just coast or settle for a while?  Why can’t we just enjoy a time of peace and normalcy?

I’m comforted during this specific time that we know that this is God’s church and not ours.  What we do certainly matters, but ultimately the growth and expansion of this church and accomplishing the vision of what we believe God is calling us to do is up to him.  That’s why our Vision2020 starts with this phrase, “God is equipping and empowering HCLM…”  We are not doing anything in and of ourselves…we are doing our best only to go where God is leading us.  

With Jon leaving, does that mean our vision changes?  No!  God has given us this vision and though how and through who we accomplish that vision may change a bit, our goals remain the same.  We believe God is still going to do great things throughout Central Florida and we want to be a part of that.  We want to be a part of 7 new congregations in 10 years.  We want to be a part of supporting those ministries with finances and resources and especially by promoting the teams in each one of them.  We want our school to succeed at a level it hasn’t seen yet.  The important thing to remember through change is recognizing that there is Someone who is greater than all of us who has it all figured out.  Romans 8:28 says that God works it all out for the good of those who love him.  He doesn’t tell us he’ll explain to us why it’s good or even that we’ll see the good in it.  He just promises that it’ll be good.  It comes down to a matter of trust.  Do you trust God in change?

Jon, we will miss you!  I personally wish I could have had more time to spend working with you, though I won’t miss all the obscure Michigan references.  And we know that God has great plans in store for Salem Lutheran Church in Orange County!