[Paul] planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, neither the one who plants, nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. – 1 Corinthians 3.6-7
Dear Church:
One of the reoccurring questions to me this fall has been about the nature of the transformation we are seeking at Blooming Glen. The question is often framed as, “What is it that you are asking us to do?” Let me try to answer.
First, a disclaimer. I’m not independently asking the congregation to do anything. The CLB is inviting us to consider transformation in the face of the massive changes we are dealing with in society. This is our plan, it is God’s plan. It is not my plan.
So, our transformation plan, also known as, “Church Together,” is focused on this – What is God giving each of us an appetite to accomplish in these days of deep and difficult change, and how can Blooming Glen Mennonite Church be God’s instrument to guide you and coach you to whet that appetite?
To govern, guide, and coach the congregation to fulfill their appetite, we need an agreed upon direction. That direction is summed up in our mission statement: “On a journey together with Jesus.”
How do we know the journey is going well? By our shared embrace of three essential values: 1) Reliance on the scriptures as our authority (the story of God’s people on a journey). 2) Embracing the peaceful practice of caring deeply and challenging directly (the way we treat one another on the journey). 3) Serving our neighbors with generosity (the ultimate purpose of our journey).
Who facilities our journey together? The CLB (with help from the Foundations) leads our congregation by recommending, setting, and overseeing policy. The elders guide our ministry by encouraging and developing ministry teams. The staff coach us to discern and fulfill God’s call.
But to be the “Church Together,” we also need some deeper organizational and structural changes. “The Pivot with Mosaic” is a cluster of organizational and leadership behaviors: CLB acting as a policy-setting board that also oversees the work of the lead pastor. Foundations that focus with the CLB on specialized issues: Our annual ballot. Our annual budget. Our annual blueprint for the care of our facility. Elders that collaborate with staff and guide the formation of ministries of worship, community, and mission. A staff of pastors, coaches, and administrative support, walking with individuals, families, and ministry teams to follow Christ daily in life. All of this done in robust partnership with Mosaic Mennonite Conference, and through them, with Mennonite Church USA, and other church-related agencies.
To be the “Church Together,” and to be in a “Pivot with Mosaic,” we also need to be paying attention to “BG Next.” It does not make for transformation if, after July 31, 2026, Blooming Glen finds itself reverting to old patterns of behavior or tries to take a clean sheet of paper and start over again. BG Next is an effort to deeply anchor this approach to our mission, values, leadership, and staff working together for the legacy that guides the next generation of Blooming Glen Mennonite Church.
I believe if we respond to God’s call to us in this time of challenge and change with a clear sense of shared mission and values, and with a capable organization and commitment to the long-term, then God will use our sending capacity to accomplish His ministry of reconciliation in us and through us. Growth – Bearing Fruit – is God’s gift to the church that is well planted and sufficiently watered.
Let’s go, church (plant and water together, pivot with our friends to the future, and prepare for what’s next by being anchored in Christ together)…
Pastor Jeff
jeff@bgmc.net
P.S. – There’s been some healthy, compassionate candor directed my way in the past week. THANK YOU. I’m at the A&N Diner Mondays from 7:30am (assuming the ice scraper works!) to 8:45am. I’m at the Broad Street Grind Fridays from 3:30 to 4:45pm. I’m at these venues to listen to your compassionate candor. I’m also available at other times. Just let me know. – jw