May 2026

 Boy, I can’t help but see the connections!
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We just ended a Zoom session with the students from the Innovation Class at Luther Seminary. The course is taught by Dwight Zscheile, author of The Agile Church and Leading Faithful Innovation. Over the past couple of months, we have partnered with a group of students who have been listening carefully to young adults connected with our congregation — hearing about their lives, their needs, and their faith journeys.
 
The students identified strengths within Resurrection, common themes among the young adults they interviewed, and what they called “prototypes” — what we in Adventures in Renewal might call ministry experiments. As I listened to their presentation, I was struck by how deeply their findings connected with who we already are through our Mission, Vision, Values, and even our Land Use Plan.
 
Our Values Statement says that we are committed to “embracing all people as they are, cultivating a culture of joyful relationships, and caring for the earth, each other, and the whole human family.” The young adults consistently described Resurrection as welcoming, inclusive, loving, and community-oriented. Every person interviewed said they were drawn to this congregation because they felt accepted here. In a world where many people feel isolated, divided, or judged, that kind of radical welcome is not a small thing — it is a powerful witness to God’s love.
 
Several young adults spoke about appreciating our worship style as “sacred but mellow.” They valued that worship here feels authentic, grounded, and meaningful without feeling rigid or performative. That, too, reflects our Mission: “To Celebrate God’s love, To Grow in our love for Jesus, and To Share that love with each other and with all God’s creation.” Worship that is both sacred and accessible creates space for people to encounter God honestly and fully.
 
The students also noted that nearly every participant expressed a strong connection to God through nature. That immediately brought to mind our Land Use Plan and the exciting possibilities it holds. Our plans for outdoor worship spaces, walking paths, meditation garden, gathering areas, and recreation spaces are not simply property improvements — they are ministries. They are opportunities to help people experience God’s presence in creation, to build relationships, and to serve our wider community. The recommendation for a “Nature Church” ministry experiment feels like a natural extension of both our values and our vision for how our property can become a blessing not only for our congregation but for our neighbors as well.
 
Another strong theme from the interviews was the desire for authentic relationships and meaningful community. Many young adults spoke openly about loneliness, anxiety, and the pressures of adult responsibilities — parenting, finances, housing, careers, and navigating a deeply divided political climate. Yet they also expressed hope: hope that others their age could discover Resurrection as a place of belonging, compassion, and service.
 
That longing for connection speaks directly to our Vision Statement: “Strive to become a community where God’s love and our lives connect.” The seminary students’ recommendation for a Faith Mentor ministry — pairing younger and older members in relationships of encouragement, conversation, and shared faith — beautifully reflects the kind of intergenerational community we aspire to be. It reminds us that the church is at its best when we walk alongside one another through every stage of life.
 
I was also encouraged that many participants expressed interest in faith study, theological conversation, and opportunities to ask difficult questions. Young adults are not looking for shallow answers or surface-level spirituality. They are looking for honest faith communities where questions are welcomed and where faith connects meaningfully to real life. That desire represents an incredible opportunity for Resurrection to continue growing as a place of thoughtful, grace-filled discipleship.
 
This process with the seminary students has been a wonderful “dip of the toe” into Adventures in Renewal. Their emphasis on listening has been especially meaningful. Before proposing solutions or programs, they first listened deeply — and in doing so they helped uncover not only the needs of young adults, but also the many gifts already present within this congregation.
 
Sometimes we can become so focused on what churches across the country are struggling with that we forget to recognize the genuine strengths God has already nurtured among us. This experience reminded me that Resurrection already embodies many of the things people are longing for: authentic welcome, meaningful relationships, opportunities for service, thoughtful faith conversations, care for creation, and a community rooted in love and grace.
That is something worth celebrating!
 
As we continue this journey together, I am filled with hope. Hope not because we have all the answers, but because God is already at work among us. God has formed in this place a beloved faith community that joyfully shares Christ’s love, welcomes people as they are, and seeks to serve both neighbor and creation with generosity and compassion.
 
I look forward to seeing where the Spirit leads us next.
 
Grace and peace,
 Tom