Our Church History

A Review of the Vision, Goals, and Mission
Over the past 30 years of Ministry at Zion

Zion has a long history of a very ecumenical, multi faceted and energetic approach to ministry within the Kalamazoo region.  In the early 1980’s the congregation undertook a mission/ministry study that led to a new staffing model (Admin Pastor / Pastor of Adult Ed and Outreach / Minister of Youth and Family Life (DCE.)  The emphasis was on “celebrating, education, and reaching out” with faith.  Following that the congregation undertook a study of its facilities and began a plan for renovation and better use of the gift of our facilities and land. 

Not only did we undertake some renovation that brought staff and congregation closer together, that moved us into our first effort at campus ministry as we began a program for post high school students, needing a safe adjustment to adult life, and they lived in our parsonage under the supervision of staff and three successive DCE interns. 

We moved into a study process to determine ministry direction.  A "mission statement" of sorts came out of that process -- "Love God, Love Neighbor."  Our goal for the next few years was to stabilize ministry, help the congregation to come together, and become "one" family rather than many factions.  During that time we brought in another pastor, whose major role was in the welcome of visitors and integration of new members.  He continues to minister to our shut ins today.  We added a full time music minister, who helped to grow that ministry beyond the typical “organist / choir director model.

There had always been a strong emphasis on quality worship (very liturgical), strong education (Sunday School through youth), and human care (Braille ministry, Lutheran World Relief Sewing, and a weekly State Hospital worship and fellowship have been strong points of Zion ministry for 60 years (now.)   A preschool was begun in the early 80's that had the support of the congregation, even though it was "independent" of the congregation.  For all practical purposes it functioned in cooperation with all of our ministries.  At about the same time an Endowment Fund was begun, to facilitate and support new ministries.   It has since grown to almost 1 million dollars now, and has given well over $400,000 to various mission and ministry efforts over the past 25 years.

Dr. Robert Scudieri, LCMS Secretary for North American Missions, came and helped us through another mission study that helped us to start seeing "outside" of Zion again.  We used this to buildon the previous study and start looking more toward ministry that looked beyond the walls of Zion.  One of the first things we did was open the building for groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, childbirth classes and the like.  We also began Stephen Ministry at that time to fit in with our emphasis of getting more members involved in ministry.  We really wanted the priesthood of believers to be a reality for more of our members. 

Several years later we underwent another major study looking toward the next several generations.  It was led by the Rev. Charles S. Mueller, a former District President and pastor of one of the largest congregations in the LCMS. Out of that study came a stated commitment to OUTREACH as the basis for all that we do.  Our new mission statement that came out of that process was “Reaching Out with Jesus’ Love.”  The entire congregation was involved in the process in various ways.  We continued to emphasize our core ministries (worship, education, and human care) but wanted to add a very strong understanding that the Christian Church has a mandate to carry Christ to the nations (and even to our neighborhoods.)  At the same time we underwent a major overhaul of our congregational structure, moving from the typical, Church Council, Ministry Boards and Board of Elders to a Board of Directors. 

There were several motivations that brought this about.  We felt that it was taking too long to make decisions, and be able to move quickly when ministry needs arose.  Boards spent a lot of time talking about ministry, making plans, and waiting for someone to carry out their decisions, or spent all of their time on a single ministry that was under them, but didn’t do a lot of long range planning, evaluation and support and development of other ministries.  The Council made administrative decisions, often without remembering the spiritual component and concerns of a congregation.  Elders often made spiritual decisions, without always taking into account practicality and good communication with the Council. Ministry was happening but we wanted to spend less time in meetings, and more time in ministry.  Our present model is built around ministry teams who are responsible for a ministry they have passion for (like our Braille workers, or Sunday School teachers, or Handbell Choir, and so forth.)  The staff is their connection to the Directors and visa versa.  We presently have about 60-70 ministry teams.   Worship, Music, Education, Human Care, Fellowship, and Outreach are all core principals for our major emphases in ministry. 

As a result of the study that brought “Outreach” into ministry as a major flavor of everything that we do, several major efforts were undertaken.  The first was our partnership with the Michigan District to assume major responsibility for Campus Ministry at Western Michigan University (at the time of Paul Maier’s retirement.)  We called a full time campus pastor, Mark Couch, and the congregation has been very involved in that ministry, and more so as each month goes by.  The second major effort that began was to call a full time Minister of Music Outreach.  That is Pete Prochnow, we began a new worshipservice, with jazz as the music style, but the greater goal was to involve more of our members in music and use music as a way to proclaim the Gospel and to do ministry in the community.  That too is a ministry that continues to grow.  At about the same time our most recent DCE took another call, we called an Associate Pastor (fresh from the Seminary) with his major responsibility being Outreach, meaning reaching into the community and helping visitors and new members to assimilate into active membership.  He has just left Zion to begin ministry closer to his family home.

Soon after the last Mission/Ministry study that led to “Reaching Out with Jesus’ Love” as the theme that we filtered our entire ministry through, we also made another major commitment to the future.  Our space study was revisited, as our building is over 50 years in age, and experiencing consistent issues that come with that reality.  Rather than continuing short term “patches” anddelaying the inevitable, we began another major study process.  A new building study identified necessary renovations that we cannot ignore any longer.  We also asked the congregation to make a commitment to either remain in our present location and doing what was necessary to the property to keep ministry effective and growing, or decide to relocate.  The decision was to remain and move forward with the building study.

That allowed us an initial assessment of potential costs.  We also asked all the ministry teams to share their dreams and needs for how the building could support and enhance ministry over the next 20 or 30 years.  A building study group brought costs and ideas to the congregation and a plan was adopted and planning began.  At that time we began a new campaign, hiring INJOY Stewardship, out of Atlanta to assist with our building and fund raising program.  We adopted a new mission statement of “Looking Up and Reaching Out,” and the campaign was underway.  One of the exciting aspects of this campaign was that we intentionally and boldly approached financial stewardship in a way that had not been done for many years.  The congregation decided to the necessary renovations and to renovate our center building (with the addition of new space) that would make the building more accessible, inviting and usable for an increasingly older population (reacting to census and societal trends.)  

We are currently revamping Sunday School, hiring Kim Licavoli as a part time Director of that ministry.  We are seeking to strengthen our middle school and high school ministries after the exodus of our DCE.  At this time, our Pastor Couch and other members are providing much of the leadership in these areas.  We have just made a major commitment to bring Hilltop Preschool into the ministry of this congregation, and Pam Sward serves as its Director.  As you can see, this is not a congregation that is rudderless or searching for a vision or direction.  Many people, for many years, have led us to where we are today.  In the past 20 years we have had at least four major studies that have explored ministry, evaluated resources, and called for a congregational response.  We have continued to move forward in many ways.  I believe as you follow the progression of the various mission statements and results of our studies you can see how they are tied together.  Our core values as a Christ-centered, celebrating, spiritually growing, and servant ministering gathering of Christians, has willingly accepted the new value or goal of outreach (or evangelism) as a key to all that we do.  Zion has always been ecumenical, responsive to changing needs, open to creativity, and willing to find ways to serve the greater Church at large. 

Whether full or part time, we have sought a staff of servants who are self-starters, innovative, energetic, and enthusiastic in daily ministry. We expect all members to be involved in at least one ministry, and our development of ministry teams has made that goal much more of a reality.  Because of what we have planned and implemented, we live together as an older congregation in an older part of the community, but see most of our growth coming through young families.  We remain faithful to our Lutheran heritage, but continue to allow God’s Holy Spirit to lead us through the gifts He shares, people He gathers, and opportunities He presents.

At this time we continue to maintain very successful ministries such as our Braille Workers, LWR sewing group and State Hospital visitors that have been active in ministry for 40-50 years.  Obviously many new people have kept those ministries vibrant.  Because of our music outreach and jazz, we have established relationships with the WMU faculty and students.  That will enhance and expand our campus ministry at Solid Grounds.  We have a diverse staff that is respected and appreciated by the congregation.  We have a diverse congregation, represented equally by all age groups that genuinely seem to appreciate and like each other.  New members consistently comment on Zion’s “warmth.”

There is not enough space to share all of what is happening now, but this should give enough of a glimpse to give a good feel for Zion.  We have four worship services each weekend, progressing from a relaxed piano based service on Saturday, a Sunday service that is very liturgical and traditional, another liturgical service based on a variety of musical styles, and a service on campus that is geared toward the students.  Communion is part of every worship service, and a weekly radio ministry shares music and one of our pastors’ messages throughout southwest Michigan. 

Our adults are involved in sewing for Lutheran World Relief, and our Braille Ministry prints and sends devotional material throughout the world.  Our Puppet Ministry has engaged children and adults in new ways of sharing the Gospel.  We have begun an adult servant ministry that has made several trips to Camp Restore in New Orleans and will become a staple of our ministry.  Once our new fellowship hall and kitchen on the main level is completed, we will add more adult ministries such as elder hostels and more fellowship events for young families.  Our youth will have an entire wing to develop new ministries in.  Our music program will have room for growth, and our Preschool and Sunday School ministries will have additional resources for their ministries as well. Ourchildren have an active puppet ministry that travels throughout the community.  Once our preschool study and decisions are completed, that will provide another strong point of entry for membership and another energetic outreach of the Gospel into our community.

This is somewhat brief, but I hope that it helps to give a feel and flavor for Zion, its recent history, and its vision and goals for ministry.

Pastor Tim Seeber  September 2008