April Elder Corner
Easter Reflection: Happy week after Easter! This morning I (Seth) was reading in Galatians, where Scripture reminds us, “it is for freedom that Christ set us free.” What a beautiful reminder of what Christ’s death and resurrection hold for his people. The intention of being freed was so that we’d live in freedom. Not fleeting freedom. But true and lasting freedom. For those who are in Christ, we are living proof that we can walk freely, being broken from the bondage of sin and death. What an incredible joy!
Yet we must also remember that shortly after, Paul also warns us not to use our “freedom as an opportunity for the flesh” but instead to “serve one another” through love. It made me think of these words from Paul David Tripp in his book Everyday Gospel:
“The most significant function of any human being is his capacity for worship. Every human being is a worshiper. I don’t mean this in the formal, religious sense. The most irreligious person is a worshiper, because that’s how God designed him. The worship capacity is meant to drive us to the Lord, to offer ourselves to him, and to find our identity, meaning, purpose, and rest in him. Being a worshiper means you will always give over the rule of your heart, the causal core of your personhood, to something. Whatever controls your heart will then shape your thoughts, desires, choices, words, and actions. Nothing is more life-dominating than worship.”
His words are a powerful reminder that by God’s design we are, and will always be, worshippers. The question is, of course, what or who are we worshipping?
Easter has a way of pointing all our focus to Jesus. But what about the day after? The week after? The month after? Where does our worship turn? Do you continue to revel in the goodness of Jesus each day? Or fall back into old habits? Paul’s exhortation is that we each keep in step with the Spirit. So, as we think about the nature of our Vision, to grow in Christlikeness and see those where we live, work, study, or play come to know Christ - may we each walk daily in this resurrected life, making much of Jesus in the broken world we get to call home! It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, so may we continue to walk in that freedom, not just on Easter, but every day!
Financial Update: You’ll hear more on Sunday, but here is a brief picture of where we’re at in the year:
Staffing Update:
With our love, gratitude, and prayer,
Seth Dunham (Senior Pastor) & Matt Snead (Elder)
Yet we must also remember that shortly after, Paul also warns us not to use our “freedom as an opportunity for the flesh” but instead to “serve one another” through love. It made me think of these words from Paul David Tripp in his book Everyday Gospel:
“The most significant function of any human being is his capacity for worship. Every human being is a worshiper. I don’t mean this in the formal, religious sense. The most irreligious person is a worshiper, because that’s how God designed him. The worship capacity is meant to drive us to the Lord, to offer ourselves to him, and to find our identity, meaning, purpose, and rest in him. Being a worshiper means you will always give over the rule of your heart, the causal core of your personhood, to something. Whatever controls your heart will then shape your thoughts, desires, choices, words, and actions. Nothing is more life-dominating than worship.”
His words are a powerful reminder that by God’s design we are, and will always be, worshippers. The question is, of course, what or who are we worshipping?
Easter has a way of pointing all our focus to Jesus. But what about the day after? The week after? The month after? Where does our worship turn? Do you continue to revel in the goodness of Jesus each day? Or fall back into old habits? Paul’s exhortation is that we each keep in step with the Spirit. So, as we think about the nature of our Vision, to grow in Christlikeness and see those where we live, work, study, or play come to know Christ - may we each walk daily in this resurrected life, making much of Jesus in the broken world we get to call home! It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, so may we continue to walk in that freedom, not just on Easter, but every day!
Financial Update: You’ll hear more on Sunday, but here is a brief picture of where we’re at in the year:
- As we close out March, we are encouraged by how the first quarter of the year has taken shape. March giving came in strong, which helped offset a slower start to the year.
- Year to date, giving is now ahead of last year, and expenses continue to be managed with care and intentionality. As a result, the gap we saw earlier in the year has narrowed significantly, and our overall financial position remains stable.
- While we are still slightly behind budgeted expectations, we are deeply grateful for the consistent generosity of our church family and the faithful stewardship across our ministries.
Staffing Update:
- As elders and staff, we wanted to say thank you to everyone who turned out on March 22nd to honor all that God has done at Salem through Pastor Kent. It truly was an encouraging time to have so many together. We know he felt encouraged and loved! So thank you! Moving forward, a Youth Search Team was compiled, and it consists of Matt Snead (Elder), Ken Bohney (Staff), Sara Carlson, Beth Karges, Liz Jost, and Brian Windingland. Please be in prayer for them as they continue to actively engage with potential candidates. We want this process to go as quickly as possible, but as slowly as necessary.
- Luke Johnson will be stepping out of his part-time role in worship technology this coming May. His wife, Talia, got into vet school down in Kansas, so they’ll be moving this summer. Be sure to say thank you if you see him!
- Also, if you didn’t know, Peg Hannestad, who was our Interim HR/Finance role, has been trying to find her replacement for well over a year! She finally found her replacement in Faye Wiedenmeyer. Peg now lives in Walker, MN, and has been commuting in. She has done an absolutely fantastic job, and we are so thankful for how God led her to us for the interim. Be sure to say thank you to her, and welcome Faye!
With our love, gratitude, and prayer,
Seth Dunham (Senior Pastor) & Matt Snead (Elder)
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