Setting Our Sails, Discerning God’s Call

Last Saturday, our Elders and Trustees gathered to reflect on what we have been hearing throughout our listening sessions, congregational survey, and conversations over the past several months. Together, we prayed, listened, and discerned where God may be leading Grace Presbyterian Church in the years ahead.

I’ve shared the image of the church as a sailboat, raising its sails to catch the wind of the Holy Spirit. Our retreat was an opportunity to do just that.
As we reviewed the feedback from the congregation, several themes emerged with remarkable consistency. Members expressed a desire for vibrant worship, deeper faith formation, stronger fellowship, care for children and families, and meaningful opportunities to serve our neighbors. Again and again, people spoke about helping newcomers feel welcome, connecting people to one another, discovering and using spiritual gifts, and strengthening the ministries that already bring life to our congregation.

The retreat also surfaced several opportunities for future exploration. Among them were strengthening community partnerships, helping members identify and use their gifts, building deeper connections with Jacob’s Learning Ladder families, creating more opportunities for fellowship and belonging, developing ministries for older adults, supporting small groups, expanding arts-related programming, and making greater use of our facilities in service to the community. None of these are final plans, but they represent places where we sensed energy, passion, and possibility.

What encouraged me most was the spirit in the room. There was gratitude for what God is already doing through Grace, a willingness to wrestle honestly with challenges, and a shared hope for the future. I left the retreat convinced that God has already placed within this congregation the gifts, talents, and faith needed for the work ahead.

The work of discernment continues. Session, Trustees, staff, and ministry teams will continue to reflect on what we learned and consider faithful next steps. As we do, I invite you to keep praying for Grace Church, for wisdom, courage, and openness to the Spirit’s leading.

The good news is that we do not make this journey alone. The Spirit is still moving, still guiding, and still calling. Our task is to keep raising the sails and trusting where God leads.

See you in church!

Peace, Grace, and Love,
Pastor Kevin