Dear LAC Family,

The baptisms on Sunday, February 13, were just beautiful. God is on the move, and there is a lot to be thankful for at LAC!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” - Psalm 118:1

First, thank you for all your comments on the current draft of the proposed Bylaw revision document, “The Congregational Leadership Covenant of Lake Avenue Church: How We Have Agreed to Follow Jesus Together.” The Ministry Council is delighted by the high degree of interest and engagement from the congregation. The comments, questions, and suggestions during this first round of consideration and dialogue have resulted in a better understanding of the issues we are working to address, and these contributions will help us improve the proposed document.

Second, I want to let you know how excited we are with news of the progress of the Senior Pastor Search Committee (SPSC). As you read in Ella Lau’s letter, we are moving into a period when we may be asked to consider calling a new Senior Pastor to LAC.

Third, we would like to take more time for prayer, study, consideration, and dialogue on the Congregational Leadership Covenant (new Bylaws). We plan to defer further Bylaw discussion meetings until after Easter, aiming to vote on the proposed Congregational Leadership Covenant later in the Spring. In the meantime, we will continue to receive and respond to comments and questions submitted through the www.lakeave.org/bylaws page. This will also give time for us to go through the process of discerning God’s call on the potential candidate for Senior Pastor.

Fourth, we believe it is in the best interest of LAC to modify our usual practice of establishing a Nominating Committee at the Winter Congregational Meeting (scheduled for March 6). The current Bylaws call on us to elect the committee now, but we believe this step should be delayed for a few months to allow for discernment around the potential Senior Pastor candidate and Congregational Leadership Covenant. Once those questions are answered, we will be in a much better position to form a Nominating Committee (or a Leadership Development Team under the Covenant) and to chart our path forward for the next season of LAC. We will still have ample time to consider and nominate leaders for approval by the congregation at the August meeting. To be consistent with our current Bylaws, the Ministry Council will bring forward a motion at our March 6 Winter Congregational Meeting to modify the schedule for electing the Nominating Committee this year. This motion will be posted online and in the Worship Center lobby prior to the meeting.

Finally, March 2 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. This is a time when we as a congregation are especially devoting ourselves to seeking the Lord for our own lives and the life of Lake Avenue Church. During the Lenten season, I invite you to earnestly pray and fast for the Senior Pastor search and for the Bylaw renewal process. There is much to be thankful for, and we want to be especially focused on praying and continually responding to God’s direction for ourselves and LAC. We are looking forward to celebrating the resurrection of our Savior together as a church family in April.

Blessings,

Dan Crichton
Church Chair