An Update: Discipleship Pastor Position

By Rev. Dean Davenport, Senior Pastor

A few months ago, I introduced to the Christ our Savior leadership and congregation a Spirit led opportunity centering on the calling of a discipleship pastor. A pastor who would help all of us, staff and congregation, to see more clearly how God is using us for His glory. Helping us to see that the lives we live we live for the Lord.

My letter to you, at the time, described the current situation and outlined how I was proposing that we proceed.  Information meetings were scheduled and held to answer the questions that had naturally bubbled up through the process. Leadership continued to meet seeking the Lord’s leading as we moved forward. What was being proposed was certainly a change from the status quo. But it was/is something that I believe is needed.

Looking back on the whole process I now see how I could have handled things differently. I could have communicated better; I could have allowed more time for the leadership and the congregation to fully understand what I was proposing. I could have involved the congregation more in the process, helping me to understand where you were coming from and what was important to you. With 20/20 hindsight I see how I could have done things differently.

For those reasons we are “pressing the pause button” on this process.

What does this mean?

• It means that I’ll continue to urge you to be in prayer for your pastors and leaders – that the Holy Spirit would increase our love for each other and for our fellow man.
• It means that we are going to pursue involving the congregation in a “assessment process” as soon as possible. Our Michigan District – LCMS will be helping us with the inventory tool and compiling the information once our members have completed them. This will be an opportunity for our membership to answer questions about the current state of our congregation and, looking forward, it will give us your thoughts about the future ministry here in Livonia and beyond. (see below for more information)

Thanks for your prayers and patience throughout this process so far. I continue to urge you to pray that the Holy Spirit would lead us in the way that He would have us go. I’m confident that, as we do and He does, it will be the right timing and direction for all of us!

Please remember that if you ever want to discuss your joys, concerns, challenges etc. with me, “my door is always open” and that God loves you and so do I!