Transition Team

During the call process, the Transition Team is chartered with creating the Ministry Site Profile.  This document describes the church, its values and its programs to pastoral candidates. 


The Transition Team has tried to communicate this priority to our new pastor through the Ministry Site Profile. On July 30th, 2024 , the Transition Team met for the last time to finish the Ministry Site Profile. A couple of days later after we finished the editing process, we submitted it to the Council for approval. The Council met on August 13th 2024 and approved the document.


Here are excerpts from the Ministry Site Profile.  

Characteristics

Write a description of your community in terms of socio-economic status, demographics, primary area of employment and lifestyle.  The Demographic ZIP Code report for your primary ZIP codes may be helpful.   


Advent Lutheran is surrounded by three major zip codes:  Mill Creek (98012), Eastmont (98208), and Maltby (98296). Together the area has a population of 162,600. 60% of the population is white, 20% is Asian, and 10.5% identify as two or more races. The median age of our area is 41.4 years with a median household income of $129,900 with 6% living in poverty. Just under 45% of our population has a bachelor’s degree, and a good portion of our workforce has an average commute of 32 minutes.

Source:  Census.gov 

Trends

List three changes or trends within the congregation or organization which have occurred in the last three to five years.  


I. We are a community willing and able to adapt to changing times and challenges.  When COVID prevented in-person meetings, we adopted live-streaming, Zoom meetings, telephone calls, and continual access YouTube videos for worship, education, fellowship, and outreach.  These tools remain as a resource for those who choose or are unable to return to face-to-face gatherings.  As we now have an “online” congregation as well as an in-person congregation, we have discovered that communication is even more difficult and essential than in the past.  Consequently, we are learning to rely less upon our leaders, and more upon each other to share information and ideas.


II.  Advent is constantly expanding its service ministry.  Advent feeds people!  Advent feeds our membership and our community spiritually through actively caring for one another and prioritizing worship.  Advent’s education ministry nourishes our minds.  Advent creates fun and diverse opportunities that provide social support and create connections between us and our neighbors. Furthermore, Advent is incessantly providing for the physical needs of our neighbors through our abundant Garden of Giving and food pantry ministries.


Our ministries vary. They include hosting other religious and community organizations within our walls, as well as providing soup suppers, food trucks, and Christmas food baskets.  We also participate in the Adopt-A-Highway program and provide a Park-N-Ride site. Our Prayer Shawl ministry, Bible studies, and Lutheran World Relief quilting ministry reach out to members and neighbors alike.


III. The Church’s relationship with youth has been changing over time.  Fewer children are attending a traditional Sunday School, and Confirmation is not an important step as it was in the past.  Dual income parents no longer have time to consistently devote to Sunday worship.  We are discerning new ways to meet the real needs of our youth and families, with an emphasis on expanding Children’s ministry.  To illustrate, the Easter Egg Hunt attracted families of all backgrounds this year, demonstrating that there is an opportunity to further serve our community. However, we did not anticipate the number of children that would attend and, therefore, we were not as prepared as we could have been.


Context

List three ways the community in which you are located has been challenged by change and transition in the last three to five years. 


 COVID-19 was the largest disruptor in our community in the past five years.  By suspending in-person activities, the interpersonal bonds of the community were strained.  People’s differing views on the fear of infection have led to divisions within the community at large.  Advent’s challenge has been respecting that fear while providing a safe space for worship and fellowship.

 

Following the lockdown, attendance has recovered, and we have been blessed to see new faces in our services.  Unfortunately, we are still attempting to reinvigorate our Youth and Family ministry, in these times when both parents work and “free time” is rare.


Another challenge affecting the community is the disparity in income.  We have been contributing to food banks and have opened a Little Pantry.  Even in this upper-middle class neighborhood, the pantry is emptied on a regular basis.  We continue to look for ways to feed those in need, including growing fresh produce and giving it away at the Vintage apartments, our over-55 community neighbors.  Ministering and serving our neighbors remains a priority.

 

Finally, becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation has provided its fair share of challenges.  Longtime members have left the congregation due to our public proclamations of equality, which have been balanced by new growth among those identifying as queer.  Community acceptance has been positive; however, there have been instances of vandalism regarding our display of the rainbow flag.  



Programs

Describe your congregation’s current programs for mission and ministry. 


 Feeding our community is a particular strength area for Advent, as we develop most of our program ministries to feed people, both literally and spiritually. Some literal feeding ministries include the Garden of Giving, which provides thousands of pounds of produce for our local food banks; the Little Pantry which is sourced by our monthly donations each 1st Sunday of the month and provides free food for our surrounding community; and our Summer Food Truck Series, which feeds both the congregation and the community by offering diverse, tasty food for dinner. We round out the year by providing food baskets to families in need in Snohomish County. A fun beginning to the New Year was when the Pastors hosted and provided brunch for the entire church as we gave thanks for God’s blessings and invited the Spirit to lead us into 2024.


Another program of recent years is our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ministry. This ministry feeds us by educating us regarding systemic racism and implicit bias, how we can fight against those, as well as how to support our Brown and Black siblings. We have women’s Bible studies and faith formation classes for the confirmands. Additionally, we are now piloting a program which is a support group for adults with ADHD and autism so that our neurodivergent siblings also feel the truth of being fearfully and wonderfully made by the God who created them. We also have a group of quilters who “feed” our graduating seniors love, prayers, and knowledge that they will always have a home at Advent, regardless of where life takes them. The rest of the quilts are prayed over and sent to our neighbors around the world via Lutheran World Relief. 


Advent is also a church that sings.  We welcome music in our services.  It brings richness and variety to worship.  Not an organ church, we use a variety of instruments to bring joy and delight to worship. 


Facilities are in use most days of the week with congregation activities, Synod District 1 offices, community support groups (i.e., AA, Al-Anon, MOPS, etc.), and community organizations like the Lynnwood Community Band.  

Goals

What are the primary goals of your ministry site (please refer to any Strategic Plan that has been adopted).


One of the goals with our new pastor is to continue feeding people, both literally and spiritually. We are looking for more ways to embrace the changing demographic and to better care for the diverse cultural and racial needs of the families within our community. 

 

Several goals are currently underway.  We are actively working to eliminate our mortgage debt.  We are also developing an empowerment model, where lay leaders are encouraged to follow their passions and create programs as needed, which will allow our pastor to focus on pastoral ministry.  An example of this would be the recent formation of a grief group ministry to comfort those in need.

Energy

What is your congregation really excited about right now? 


Reconnection. Our congregation is excited about reconnecting with one another and our community. Whether coming together for small groups such as Classics or Bible study, partnering with the community through Food Truck Wednesdays and the Garden of Giving, or creating safe spaces for people across generations and from all backgrounds for fellowship and worship, our congregation is excited to deepen our understanding of and connection with those around us.

 

In our congregation, passing of the peace never stops until the Pastor makes it.  There is a spirit of receptivity and a sense of joy and laughter among the congregation.  When it comes to trying new things, the default answer is “yes”. 

Partnership

How does this congregation see itself as a member and active participant in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the synod? 


Advent has been a member of the ELCA or its predecessor organizations since its founding in 1980.  In the mid 1990’s, Advent became a Redevelopment congregation and with the assistance of the synod successfully transitioned out of that program.  Advent owes a debt of gratitude to the ELCA and Synod for assistance during our struggles. 


As Advent became successful, we have repaid that debt by participating in synod activities and maintaining our contributions to the Synod and ELCA.  Furthermore, Advent has hosted the Region 1 office of the Northwest Synod for over 5 years.  The congregation has supported various members who have helped plan synod-wide events, such as the Pride Parade, the LiVE Project, the Synod Candidacy Committee, and participation in various cohorts. 


We frequently use ELCA materials for discussion groups, discipleship, and educational matters.  

Purpose

How does this congregation or organization understand its reason for being in the light of God’s call to mission and service?  Who are you?  Why are you here? 


Advent Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Congregation.  We extend our welcome to people of all races, cultures, and colors; to people of all sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity; to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities; to people of every legal, economic, and marital status; and to all those whom the world seeks to separate, divide, or isolate. We are committed to racial equity, and we celebrate identity as a gift from God.  We strive to provide support to parents who have young children and to those who experience neuro-divergency in their lives.


We welcome all to our community of faith, sustained by God’s abundant grace.  Our  congregation is a safe space for all.  

Giftedness

What are your gifts and resources for fulfilling this purpose?  What are the congregations top three assets and how are they being used?  Are there obstacles that must be overcome to be able to use these gifts and accomplish the mission?


Hospitality:  All are welcome to be part of our community at Advent.  We are an RIC congregation and are learning how to relate compassionately to those who are different than we are.  We hope our willingness to be inclusive is evident, even when we falter or lack understanding.  Aware that lack of knowledge affects willingness, we are educating ourselves in matters of personal and cultural variation, so that God’s love shines through to benefit those around us.


Advent is not only a community that invites.  We are challenging ourselves to become even more outwardly focused; to be culturally aware and appreciative; and to focus more on our neighbors than upon ourselves. We host a Korean Church every Sunday and have made our space available for Muslim prayer groups.  We strive for the acceptance of individuality, and we advocate for those in need.

 

Humility:  Advent strives to learn from intergenerational mentorship and for openness to new ideas and ways of being the Church in our ever-changing world.  We have a spirit of kindness and gentleness that exudes empathy and caring and stems from the realization of God’s everlasting love for all of us.  We are seeking ways to grow in faith and ministry as changes in our leadership, congregation and culture constantly present us with challenges to be present for one another.


Abundance: Advent’s congregation overflows with talents ranging from business acumen, musical expertise, leadership development, and teaching skills.  We have excellent communicators, and those with special abilities to encourage and provide insight and wisdom. In addition, we are located in an ideal setting—we are surrounded by families from different cultures, languages, and financial circumstances.  Many families who are not members frequent our worship and fellowship gatherings.  We seek to get to know them and support some of their needs (respite, food, socialization, spiritual growth).


Advent is blessed with many financial resources.  Our growing edge is to break our taboo of talking about money and to change our mindset from a mentality of scarcity to one of abundance, gratitude, and trust.  We are consciously challenging ourselves, and we are making changes toward this goal.

Mission

In light of the way you have described your ministry context in this Ministry Site Profile, what are the top three mission priorities which, if accomplished, hold the most promise for the continued development of this ministry? 


Advent is a flourishing ministry with three main priorities that seek to expand its reach into the community. First, we are steadfast in our progression of being an RIC church, strongly reiterating our “All Are Welcomed” motto. Additionally, we look to build a stronger bond with our neighbors by refining our sense of cultural awareness and tolerance. We wish to see our neighborhood grow in grace and love. Finally, we continue to feed our neighbors spiritually and literally in new and innovative ways, such as helping address food insecurity and hosting community events. We do all of this with the humility and perspective that it is the right way to worship and live out our faith.

Summary Description

Please describe your ministry setting and position opening in 75 words or less. This is the brief description that will be publicized.


Vitality, willingness, openness, grace, and joy are hallmarks of Advent.  We seek a full-time pastor for our medium-sized RIC congregation in a diverse area of Snohomish County, Washington. Staff consists of a Youth and Family Director, Church Musician, and Office Administrator. Advent has many lay-led ministries, including faith formation groups, community outreach, and a developing children and family program. Advent seeks a pastor to deepen our relationship with each other and our richly diverse community.