The Holy Spirit of Change

This summer will be a time of change here at Southminster. But it will be good! I’m sure any talk of “change” can stir up feelings of anxiety. It raises questions and doubts about why is it needed, who is changing what? It stirs a whole pot of emotions that I am sure you are feeling right now while reading this. Am I right?

So please pause, relax your shoulders, and take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes. Repeat to yourself these words: “everything will be okay.” And it will! Do you know how I know? Because the Holy Spirit is here with us, and Jesus says so. Jesus brings calm to the storms of our lives and order to the busyness.

People change all the time. We change jobs, cars, exercise habits. We change because the former ways are no longer adequate. God built the Church to change too! The Bible itself could be read as

one long story of change. There are changes from Abraham to Joseph, from Moses to David. Even Jesus called his disciples to change for him. Paul called disciples to change again, so did St. Augustine, and John Calvin and Pope Francis. We are a church of holy change, as the Spirit leads.

That brings me to the good news of this next chapter of Southminster. Our Session (leadership board) has decided that we, to better meet the needs of our ministry and community with the resources we have, will need to adjust our Commission structure. This will not have a dramatic impact of the life and feel of our ministry and worship. But it will help our leaders better address the needs we see in our world today.

Instead of having 7 commissions, we will have 5. Instead of having 15 Elders on Session we will have 11. To make this possible, the titles and responsibilities of these commission are changing. The Commissions will be run by the current Elders, and current members of the congregation. Even though the commissions are changing, the motive, mission, and responsibility of Southminster remains the same.

Our 7 current commissions are: Property and Finance, Worship, Congregational Life, Congregational Stewardship, Mission, Christian Education, and Evangelism. They will be changed to: Property and Finance, Worship, Growing Faith, Fellowship, and Community Engagement. While Property and Finance, and Worship will remain similar in scope and duties, the three new commissions, Growing Faith, Fellowship, and Community Engagement will take over the ministry that previously had been covered by the others, as well as assume duties that had not been under the purview of any commission.

Beginning in August through the end of 2025 will be a time of transition as we sunset the previous commissions and make room for the new ones. All members of the previous commission are being asked to evaluate their passion and continue to serve as they feel led. There is plenty of room at every table! No one is being asked to leave, no one is being fired or sidelined. Instead, Session is seeking to provide clarity on our vision and our ability to meet the challenges our ministry faces today. See inside for more details!

Pastor Karl