Early in 2019 the long-time pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Livonia, Michigan retired. It was a challenging time for the congregation. The search for a new pastor seemed to drag on. The COVID-19 pandemic did not make things easier.

In the fall of 2018, they signed up for Stewardship for All Seasons. When their pastor retired Paul Stratton, a soft-spoken, unassuming layperson took over the stewardship committee. At first, Paul was terrified by the thought of asking for challenge grants, but he found his courage. Paul was amazed and humbled when the first person he asked said, “Yes” and offered to fund a $5,000 challenge grant.

Four years and many challenge grants later, Paul’s faithful service, guided, and encouraged by GSB consultants, helped put Holy Trinity in a solid place financially. They balanced and grew their budget, made critical deferred maintenance repairs, and more – even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, they finally called a new pastor. Through the support of GSB and the faithful service of a stewardship committee, without a regularly called pastor, their new pastor is able to hit the ground running. The church has the resources necessary for mission and ministry. Instead of talking about money and worrying about the budget, they are able to focus on telling the story of their mission and ministry.

The transition time between pastors is often an anxious and challenging time for congregations. The beauty of a program like Stewardship for All Seasons is that it really can serve to empower people in the congregation to care for and build up the ministry, even during an anxious time of transition.

Learn more about Stewardship for All Seasons at www.stewardshipforallseasons.com.

*Images are not of the person in the story to protect privacy.