Growing in Faith, Sharing God's Grace?

This past week, both the church council and the staff gathered for their fall retreats. This is something these two groups do typically twice a year, in addition to their regular meeting schedules.

When these two groups usually meet, their focus needs to be on the details. At their monthly meetings, the council receives reports from staff and committees, makes time-sensitive decisions, and reviews the church’s finances. When the staff meets each Tuesday morning, they discuss the past Sunday, talk through the next Sunday, lift up prayer requests, and look over the calendar for the next three weeks.

When they gather for these longer retreats, though, they can step back, reflect on what the church has been up to, and cast a vision for where we would like to go. There is never any official business on the agenda, and it’s rare for decisions to be finalized at a retreat. However, many new ideas begin to form at these important gatherings, leading to more detailed action in the weeks and months that follow.

At both retreats, we spent some time considering our mission statement, “Growing in Faith, Sharing God’s Grace.” You’ve probably seen this phrase on the cover of the bulletin, on the front page of our website, or on the letterhead of any number of mailings you’ve received from St. Mark over the years. Some of you may even remember when the council came up with those six words near the end 2008 and introduced them to the congregation at the annual meeting in that following January. 

Pastor Katrina and I brought this almost 18-year-old mission statement to both the council and the staff and asked them the same question: “Do these words still reflect St. Mark Lutheran Church in 2026?”

I don’t know why I expected a lengthy discussion to ensue. Both leadership groups took a few seconds of silence to consider the question before affirming that this, indeed, captures the essence of our congregation’s mission. In many ways, it may even reflect who we are now better than ever before. Through faith education, dynamic worship, and captivating music our ministries allow people of all ages to grow in faith. In addition, there is no shortage to the ways we share God’s grace. Our outreach ministries extend throughout the community to provide clothing, food, housing, and warmth to those who need it. The Endowment Board supports local organizations who care for our most vulnerable neighbors. Worship services are streamed for folks who can’t be here in person. Hospitality efforts welcome all sorts of people almost every day of the week.

Our mission statement isn’t just words on a page. It’s not a marketing slogan or catchphrase. The council, staff, and pastors of St. Mark agree that when we say we are “Growing in Faith, Sharing God’s Grace,” it is an accurate description of how you, the people of St. Mark, live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna