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The following thoughts were shared with the leadership of Holy Cross at the Congregational Leadership Forum, held January 16 & 17, 2004. As we gathered to peer into the future of Holy Cross, this is the vision of ministry that Pastor Sattler saw.
A few weeks ago I went to the eye doctor and got a new prescription, both for distance and for reading. As a result, it was necessary for me to get new glasses. I had the last prescription for about 10 years. I didn’t realize how much my sight had changed. It’s hard to tell when it changes gradually over the years. So with a new prescription my view of the world has completely changed. It’s almost startling how different the view is.
A similar kind of thing happens when I stop to look at demographic data about our church and study survey results about our ministries like we’ve been doing on the Long Range Planning Task Force. I can remember just a few years ago, wondering where we were going to put all the people when our weekend worship attendance neared 200. Now we average nearly 500. I can remember a day, just a little while ago, when we held Bible Studies in the old narthex of the church and had 2 studies going on in the sanctuary at the same time. Just a few years ago, we only had one Small Group that included about 10 people. Now we have over 20 with nearly 240 different people involved. It’s easy to forget how far we’ve come as a congregation.
It never ceases to amaze me how powerful the Holy Spirit is and how much He’s been at work here. All that you see is evidence of the work of God among us, which is made possible, really, only because of the incredible people we have here, who have generously and willingly given of themselves, of their time, of their money, and of the talents that God has given them to His glory and honor. One of the neat things about people who have come to Holy cross is that many of them have had positive experiences in other churches in other parts of the kingdom of God. The ministries at Holy Cross consist mostly of great ideas that people have brought here from somewhere else… and because of the openness to try new things here and not be afraid of change, and the willingness to can things that aren’t working, many of these ideas have resulted in a place that offers the best of Christianity at-large.
It is obvious that God is in this place and you can tell because God’s people here make Him obvious in their love for one another, in their cooperative spirit and in their openness to the leading of the Spirit among us.
As I peer into the future of this place called Holy Cross, I am very optimistic (that’s one of my spiritual gifts) and I see God’s involvement continuing and new ministry opportunities presenting themselves. Giving the context of time and the continued growth of the Body of Christ I see new possibilities to bring the kingdom of God to this place… some on the near horizon (within a couple years), some in the distance (maybe 10-20 years), always remaining open to God’s timing and leading.
My Vision for Ministry at Holy Cross Lutheran Church
by Rev. John Sattler
From where I stand here in the year 2014, Holy Cross Lutheran Church has just celebrated our 25th anniversary as a congregation. The ministry that I see is a place where the Holy Spirit has been very active and the growth has continued throughout the years.
Our Emphasis
The emphasis on ministry at Holy Cross has been permissive and open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, while trusting that He works in us and through us to the glory of God and the growth of His kingdom in this place. Our overarching mission at Holy Cross is to reach every individual family that drives by our facility and lives within our ministry area, especially those who, as yet, do not have a saving relationship with Jesus, that they may eventually drive in and be touched by the Gospel.
Leadership Development
Since the numbers have continued to increase at Holy Cross with membership over 2000 and worship attendance of over 900, we are able to employ the gifts and talents of all these new people and many new ministries have begun. Instead of beginning ministries and hoping we can find people to make those ministries happen, we have instead encouraged our people to know their spiritual gifts, and we have used those gifts to help direct what ministries Holy Cross pursues.
Every effort has been taken to ensure that people are cared for (spiritually and physically) and nurtured in faith. Every member and regularly attending guest is encouraged to participate in our Small Group ministry which now consists of 75 groups. Small Groups have become an easy side door for the community to experience Jesus and be introduced to the ministry of Holy Cross. We offer an on-going training program for all these Small Group leaders. Since the results of the Natural Church Development survey that we took revealed that one of our weaknesses as a congregation is in the area of Empowering Leadership, we have been offering training and encouragement to our Small Group leaders. Leaders have learned to disciple people and encourage them to grow in their love for God and others, as well as in their generosity, servanthood, and their witness for Jesus. Holy Cross is known as a place where everyone involved at Holy Cross is familiar with, and comfortable in, God’s Word as well as always growing in our awareness of His presence in our lives.
Other ministry leaders as well, including our Ministry Teams, are led through a process of development and leadership training.
Our polity structure has been reworked to be a more efficient and empowering structure to support the work of ministry in this place.
Involvement
Our Volunteer Coordinator help us connect the gifts and abilities of the people of God with the many ministry opportunities available. This person assists the various boards and ministries to use the gifts of members most efficiently. Our Stewardship Board has encouraged all our people to understand and live whole-life stewardship, including abilities, gifts, and resources. As a result, instead of a few involved in much, we have many living out their faith in all the areas of service and ministry.
Worship
Our corporate worship uses every resource available to ensure that the experience is uplifting and encouraging, supportive and inspiring. The sermons always include practical application of the Gospel to every day life. The new staff, including a teaching/preaching pastor, has broadened our application of the Gospel to daily life.
The music at Holy Cross includes the gifts and talents of many members willing to share their musical gifts… using a variety of uplifting and Biblically-based songs and hymns. Our music ministry benefits from the direction of a full-time music director, who brings excellence and consistency to the worship music as well as variety in styles.
Worship at Holy Cross is more than just a rite or ritual, but those who gather for worship sense an encounter with God. As they return to their respective worlds, they know the grace of God, His acceptance, and His strength to handle life’s crises as well as its joys. God’s Word is the central focus of all worship… sometimes convicting, sometimes healing. The worshippers know that God is real; that He is really here; that He is really forgiving; and that He is really with us. Our worship is enriched with a variety of media, including drama, dramatic readings, video presentations, various choirs, soloists, etc. Because of the growth in worship attendance (now over 700 in 2009), we added worship opportunities both on-site and off-site, and then finally completed our new Worship Center that seats about 1000.
Discipleship
The focus of Holy Cross has always been on discipling members and on reaching the community with the Gospel. Holy Cross is known as a place where children are taught, teens are nurtured, and adults are developed into fully devoted followers of Jesus, who learn to be comfortable living and sharing their faith. Parents are equipped to faithfully nurture the faith of their children and develop their walk with Jesus. Families are mentored in their worship at home and their discipleship in all of life. We hold workshops to assist families in their daily devotional and times of meditation.
The goal is always to raise up a passionate people… passionate for Jesus and their growth in faith… passionate in their desire to share Jesus with others… passionate in doing whatever is necessary to extend the kingdom and grow God’s Church. That passion is obvious, not just in their interaction with each other, but also in their interaction with friends, family, and neighbors.
Community Center
The Holy Cross facility has a reputation for being the community center in this part of the Geist Area. As I look around, I see all kinds of activities that connect with the community, including such things as an athletic program that involves children and adults (many of which are held in the new gymnasium), as well as facilities that house a counseling center, and a senior day care facility to help all our member families who are caring for their parents and grandparents in their homes. I also see such connections with the community as a scouting program, AA, 4H, book clubs, aerobics, computer clubs, neighborhood meetings, and so on. A food court, Christian book store and lending library as well as a coffee bar are open to serve the community all week long. I can see parents from the school who are sharing in Bible Study over coffee in there.
The Holy Cross campus has a park-like atmosphere. I can see play equipment for neighborhood children and picnic sites, nature paths, outdoor meeting areas, and athletic fields. There is a walking path around the campus to provide a safe place for aerobic exercise and meditation. As a result of ministries like Family Fun Fest, all kinds of programs and activities are geared toward the community with an emphasis on family fun, education, and recreation.
Youth
The Faith Life Center has become a gathering place for teens, encouraging their relationships with God and with each other. There are regular “Study Tables” that help them in their school work. They gather in Small Groups that help them in their struggles with daily life, preparing them for their interactions with the world. Organized and spontaneous recreation help to develop their relationships with each other. Our singles ministry has continued to reach the incredible numbers of singles moving into the area, by providing social, educational, and spiritual connections.
Community Involvement
Not only is the Holy Cross campus known as a gathering place, where people come here, but Holy Cross is also known as a people willing to leave the campus to do ministry “out there”, reaching people who feel uncomfortable for any reason (or unable) to come to our place. There are ministries that help improve the living conditions all over the northeast Indianapolis area. Some of the members at Holy Cross were instrumental in getting sidewalks installed along Oaklandon Road and other main streets, to make it safer for children and adults to ride, walk, and run past our facility, and, as a result, they also walk in.
Social Ministry
While many in our immediate area have been richly blessed materially, there are thousands within that same area that must live without many of the blessings we take for granted. Holy Cross is a body of believers who are willing to go where most people are afraid to go in order to bring the love of Jesus to those people. Community programs reach the indigent, impoverished, and the disenfranchised, to help meet their needs with a cooperative effort to provide food, medical assistance, and employment counsel, along with spiritual encouragement. Those with gifts towards cross-cultural ministry and servanthood participate in servant events and foreign mission opportunities.
Day School
Fifteen acres of ministry space has allowed Holy Cross to further our educational outreach to the community by expanding our day school to include 2 year olds through Middle School. This, of course, is made possible by the additional classroom space that has been erected and with the classrooms made available through the conversion of the Interim Worship Center into the preschool wing. These classrooms are also available, not just during the school day, but throughout the evening hours and the weekends for all kinds of community educational offerings.
PR
Our multimedia public relations program has extended our reach to the community keeping the name of Jesus and our body of believers before the eyes and ears of the community. We not only advertise in the yellow pages, newspapers, theater slides, school and community newsletters, but also through direct & targeted mail, billboards, low power radio, cable, TV, & internet. But most effective public relations is the word of mouth generated from our passionate desire to see all people in a loving relationship with Jesus, and a passionate love for the ministry in this place.
Missions
As God has filled our lives with the experience of a wonderful ministry here, we have been inspired to extend His love and mercy to the thousands of people moving into areas around Holy Cross by planting new ministries and congregations in those areas. We have used creative approaches to plant these missions and fund them. We have also continued to further the spread of the Gospel by sending missionaries around the world and supporting the mission work done through synod’s domestic and foreign missions.
Although we’ve had all kinds of plans for future ministries at Holy Cross, the Holy Spirit continues to surprise us and when new and unplanned ministry opportunities present themselves (such as the acquisition of the Faith Life Center) we have been open to such prompting do everything we can to follow His lead.
Staffing
Our staff is much larger now. All these ministry opportunities require the work and effort of many people, both lay and professional. We have more staff, but instead of hiring staff to do everything, we have chosen to use the funding necessary for staff to do more ministry. That necessitates encouraging and training the laity to use their gifts to God’s glory. Staff includes both full-time and part-time professionals, retired individuals, and mostly trained volunteers.
As I look over the ministry in this place called Holy Cross, it never ceases to amaze me how God uses us, even in our weaknesses, to reach more people with the Gospel. All of these people at Holy Cross sense that their experience here helps draw them closer to God and
As we continue to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will continue to be receptive to new, relevant, and creative ideas to apply a timeless truths of Scripture to the people of today.
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