Sense of hope replaces sense of helplessness

By Rachel Pritchett, synod communicator

LAKEWOOD — Struggling St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church plans to embrace Lakewood's military community and befriend a Korean congregation in a renewal process now gaining steam.

A year ago, with few worshippers and angry creditors calling daily, the church was teetering on closing. Instead, its members placed it under "synodical administration." That's where three caretakers appointed by a synod's bishop take over the operation of the church, freeing members to find a new path.

"This is a great group of people; they just needed some help," Ron Coen, one of the caretakers, told the Council of the Southwestern Washington Synod meeting at the church Sept. 17.

Under the direction of the Rev. Joe Smith, St. John's members began building friendships with a Korean congregation that began worshipping there, Tacoma New Life Church. Plans are in the works for a joint Bible study, and also for St. John's members to help their new friends learn English.

"People are willing to get involved and give it a try," Coen said.

Members of St. John's visited with those at nearby Christ Lutheran Church. Both are in the shadow of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. They began learning how to connect with the military.

And, they visited with another of the synod's struggling congregations undergoing transformation, Spirit of Life Lutheran Church of Olalla.

"That was a bit of a game-changer," Coen said.

St. John's now is competing for a $10,000 grant from the Southwestern Washington Synod's Outreach Board that would further fuel its effort.

Since St. John's is the first congregation in the synod to go under synodical administration, it's been a learning experience all around.

Coen said the caretakers have discovered the importance of listening to the members and learning the history of the congregation. They've learned to take enough time to get people fully onboard.

"This can't be done quickly," Coen said.

Bishop Robert D. Hofstad plans to use St. John's walk back from the edge as a template in other congregations.

"This congregation is going to take leadership on how congregations take on transformation," he said.

That has begun.

Said Coen, "There was a sense of helplessness and now there's a sense of hope."

Pictured: St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lakewood