Have you ever seen this phrase written on a sign blocking off an area you’re walking through or visiting? Growing up in South Florida, I frequently remember seeing these words on rides and attractions at Disney World, Universal Studios, and other fun locations in Orlando. On the one hand, I always felt a little disappointed because it usually meant I couldn’t enjoy a ride or area I already loved and enjoyed. On the other hand, it promised good and exciting things for the future. In some cases, those signs meant regular maintenance, and in some, they heralded a change meant to improve and enhance the experience.

Here at Hope, we also have some “dust” as your ministry leadership team and your church staff work on many areas of the church. For the past several months we’ve had to address several important areas of the church including: our accounting and finance administration, our HR and payroll system, our church management software, our phone systems, our worship planning software, and many other smaller areas. We’ve promoted people to new positions of responsibility, we’ve shuffled job descriptions and responsibilities, and we have had significant shifts in leadership both in our ministry leadership team and of course with our staff.

That probably sounds like a lot, and it is. It might help to know, though, that many of these areas have been several years in the making. They were discussed, recognized, and planned for improvement. The timing of their implementation now, in almost every case, is simply a matter of necessity. Old equipment wears out and breaks at the most inconvenient of times. Significant shifts in our leadership and staff require careful thought on how to be good stewards of our current staff’s time, resources, and talents. The needs of a thriving church like Hope require systems, procedures, equipment, software, and resources to make sure we are tuned into the needs of our people and poised to reach out and serve our community well.

Your ministry leadership team and staff are working harder than ever to make sure that Hope not only carries on the strong identity and culture we have as a Lutheran Church; they are also trying to build on the strong foundation we’ve received from our two long-time senior pastors, Pastor Wagner, and Pastor Puls.

In turn, we are trying to help prepare the field for the next senior Pastor God will send us to lead and guide us into Hope’s next phase of life.

If you see a staff member or MLT member please pray for them and show them a little extra love. They are giving so much of themselves personally to make sure that your church continues to be an instrument of blessing to you, your families, and our community by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you have any questions or concerns, we would love to be open and transparent with you to share what we are working on and how it will help us now and in the future. Forgive us if along the way we make some mistakes or disappoint you; we need your grace, your partnership, and your understanding as we try our best to serve you. Keep a look out in the days ahead for more specific news and updates as we go along from your MLT and staff.

So please, pardon our dust!

God’s richest blessings be upon you,

Pastor Devin Murphy