Moving Into the Future Together: A Report from Our Director for Evangelical Mission

Director for Evangelical Mission- Annual Report

In the little more than a year and a half of serving in this call, I have learned several things. First, this is a BIG synod, geographically, and in ministry. Second, there is so much potential, and need.

The landscape of the church is changing rapidly. All we need to move into this future with hope is available, as we follow our Lord. The issue isn’t: “Can we?” but “Will we?” 

I think back to my first call when I met a few of the shut-ins at the nursing home. They were advancing in age, widows, with all kinds of health issues. The young, highly trained, and recently ordained pastor just had to say something “appropriate.” So, I said, “We don’t know what the future may hold.” These dear saints of the church, took me by my hands and simply said, “But we know who holds the future!”

So, dear church, how may we hold onto Christ and go into the future? Obviously, we don’t go alone, but as a “Church Together” how can we be the church together?

Collaborative Ministry

There are many ways to serve as church together, from working together on various ministries, sharing resources/expenses, to full on merging.

I hosted a Zoom presentation entitled, “Possibilities in Partnership.” In that presentation, Rev. Don Lorfing and Rev. Chris Stoxen shared their very different experiences of collaborative ministry. They also shared a third type that Rev. Charles Newman was going to discuss, but he was in the midst of heavy healing. From the merger that took place that created Good Samaritan- Windmill AND The Lakes; to the coming alongside of Holy Trinity- Chandler and First Evangelical- Mesa; they shared the joys, possibilities, and challenges experienced.

They mentioned the helpfulness of the book, “Better Together,” by Jim Tomberlin and Chad Bird, which led to a 4 week Zoom book study. Future opportunities will come in the fall, along with some other potential workshops/ classes. If you are interested in learning more, please ask!

I am working alongside congregations be “Church Together” in two different areas of the synod. In southwest Tucson, Mount Zion and San Juan Bautista are working alongside Santa Cruz as it goes through a transition. They are providing pastoral assistance, as well as a basis for coordinated ministry that builds up all of them. In the Capital Conference, conversations are being held to find ways to cooperate and collaborate in ministry and in meeting the various maintenance and upkeep needs congregations have that used to be handled by the members.

One great resource is the “Church Property Resource Hub” through the ELCA website. For those dealing with insurance, rental, or countless other property stewardship issues- this is a great place to look. There is a question space where you can post questions for someone to answer, and they host regular online training on issues raised. They also send a weekly newsletter with upcoming opportunities and helpful information.

Pray without Ceasing

One other way some congregations are coming together is around “Pray without Ceasing.” (praywithoutceasing.world) Every week they produce a simple prayer service. It is meant for anyone to be able to do it, with or without music, and adjustable as needed. The Office of the Bishop Staff use it when they meet in-person, and even when on Zoom! It is meant to be usable and accessible to many, and I encourage you to explore it. If you do sign up for it, please let me know, so I can share that information with others in the area who may be interested.

Congregational Vitality

Vital congregations are missional congregations. Has your congregation done a Congregational Vitality Survey yet? Given that about 10% have since I have been DEM, probably not. Why not? I encourage you to consider it like an annual check-up.

What are some things that can be done with that information? I am trying out a congregational based process that comes from the Greater Milwaukee Synod entitled, “Adeventures in Renewal.” It is a PROCESS, not a PROGRAM. It involves discernment, prayer, Dwelling in the Word, and a team of people interested in learning and listening to the Spirit and the community around the church. Interested in learning more, contact me!

Community Updates

  • We rejoice in Rev. Solomon Kuch’s ordination at Emmanuel (Sudanese) and we pray as they work towards becoming a full congregation.

  • We rejoice in Rev. Wanda Frenchman’s ordination, and we pray the growing ministry of the Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix.

  • We celebrate the merging of First Evangelical Lutheran in Mesa with Santa Trinidad and pray for their ministry together as one body.

  • We give thanks for the ministry of West Valley Young Adult as it ended its work.

  • We pray for the work at Promise House at New Promise in St. George, UT and its outreach efforts.

  • We pray for “Connections” through Grace- Phoenix as it reaches out to the young adult and student population in that area.

  • We pray for “Living Stone” outreach and faith formation work through King of Glory.

  • We pray for the ongoing community building work of Holy Trinity- Chandler, and Central- Arizona City in Casa Grande.

  • We pray for all the different evangelism efforts taking place across the synod in many and varied ways (like Crossroads- San Tan, American- Sun City, and many others) so the world knows the unconditional love and amazing grace in Jesus Christ!

It is a big synod, with big possibilities and challenges. Through prayer, seeking to pay attention to congregational vitality, and working together, we can move into the future with hope.

Remember that God loves you, and so do I!

Rev. David Pavesic
Director for Evangelical Mission

Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Assembly StoriesComment