Building the Future of Messiah Church

On July 1, 2022, Pastor Steve Richards will be retiring from his role as Senior Pastor of Messiah Church. Pastor Steve began his ministry with us in the summer of 2000, and 22 years later, the finish line of his ministry leadership with us is in sight.

Our Servant Steering Team is in consultation with our District Superintendent, Dan Johnson, and Bishop David Bard about the best person to be appointed to serve as Lead Pastor at Messiah Church starting July 1, 2022. Our Servant Steering Team will keep you informed about the process of receiving a new pastor and how you can assist in that process and upcoming transition.

Follow along on this page for updates, as we begin our Pastor Transition.

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You’re Invited!

Join us on Sunday, June 5 as we celebrate Pastor Steve Richards’ retirement and his 22 years of service at Messiah Church as the hands & feet of Christ!

2 pm Program in the Sanctuary
or Watch Online at www.MessiahChurch.org/live
Honor Pastor Steve’s Impact with Special Music, Videos & Stories

3 pm Celebration in the Parking Lot
Cupcakes & Ice Cream // Service Project // Family Activities
(bring your own lawn chair)

Messiah Church  //  17805 County Road 6, Plymouth MN 55447

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Associate Pastor Announced

April 24, 2022

Dear Messiah family,

On behalf of the Servant Steering Team, Pastor Tami Luckhardt, District Superintendent Dan Johnson, and the Cabinet, it is my pleasure to announce that Bishop David Bard intends to appoint Rev. Bethany Nelson as the new Associate Pastor for Messiah Church beginning July 1, 2022.

Rev. Bethany Nelson serves as a co-pastor with her husband, Rev. Luke Nelson, at Park UMC in Brainerd, MN and Emily UMC in Emily, MN. They have three sons: Calvin (8), Josiah (6), and Desmond (3). The Bishop also intends to appoint her husband as the Lead Pastor for Spirit of Hope UMC in Golden Valley beginning July 1.

Please join me in extending our warmest Messiah Church congratulations and welcome to Rev. Bethany Nelson and her family. Your supportive prayers and acts of kindness during their transition to the Twin Cities area will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Maria Banda
Chair, Servant Steering Team

Learn More about Bethany Nelson

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Celebrating Pastor Steve

April 21, 2022

Sunday, June 5 is Pastor Steve’s last Sunday at Messiah. Join us in celebrating his retirement and years of ministry! We have so many ways you can be included in his send-off. Choose as many ways as you would like to participate:

• In honor of Pastor Steve’s upcoming retirement, the Messiah congregation and friends are asked to submit written messages for a “Dear Pastor Steve” memory book. In 100 words or less, please write a message expressing your gratitude, sharing a favorite memory, or telling how Pastor Steve’s ministry has had an impact on you. These messages will be included in a bound book, along with selfie photos submitted by the congregation (see below). Please submit your written message to Heather Felt via email (preferred) at hfelt@messiahchurch.org, in person to the church office on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday through Friday 9 am-5 pm), or by mail to Messiah Church, attn: Heather Felt, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447. The deadline to submit written messages is Sunday, May 8.
• As part of the “Dear Pastor Steve” memory book, we would like to include selfies of you with your well wishes. To participate: 1. Click here to download all three selfie signs: “Thank You,” “God Bless You,” and “We Will Miss You.” 2. Print the message you prefer OR display the image full screen on your tablet or phone. (If you’d like a color print of these signs, stop by the church office on Sundays or during church office hours – Monday through Friday 9 am-5 pm.) 3. Take a photo (a selfie) of you (and your family) holding the sign. 4. Email your photo to Heather Felt at hfelt@messiahchurch.org or text your photo to Heather at (612) 354-6969. These photos will be included in a bound book, along with written messages submitted by the congregation (see above). If you need help taking a photo, or figuring out the technology to email or text your photo, stop by the church office and Heather will assist you. The deadline to submit photos is Sunday, May 8.
• Share in the joy of contributing to a congregational retirement gift for Pastor Steve. All monetary donations will be used to purchase a gift from the congregation that will be presented at his retirement party on June 5. To contribute, donate online by selecting “Congregational Retirement Gift,” drop off your cash or check (indicate “Retirement Gift” in the memo) to the church office on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday through Friday 9 am-5 pm), or mail to Messiah Church, attn: Congregational Retirement Gift, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447. Please note: Donations to this gift are not tax deductible. The deadline to contribute to the congregational gift is Sunday, May 15.
• Please save the date for a retirement celebration on Sunday, June 5. Join us at 2 pm in the sanctuary for a special program, followed by a celebration in the parking lot at 3 pm with food and activities.

For questions:

• About the memory book, or how to submit your written messages or selfie photos, please contact Heather Felt at hfelt@messiahchurch.org or (763) 473-6968.
• About the congregational gift, please contact Jean L.
• About the June 5 retirement celebration, please contact Cindy H.

There will also be a box available for your personal cards to Pastor Steve the day of the celebration.

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Save the Date!

March 17, 2022

Sunday, June 5 is Pastor Steve’s last Sunday at Messiah. Join us in celebrating his retirement! Please save the date for a retirement celebration in the sanctuary at 2 pm, followed by food and activities in the parking lot at 3 pm.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be offering you opportunities to be involved in Pastor Steve’s send-off. Stay tuned!

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Lead Pastor Announced

January 30, 2022

Dear Messiah family,

In early 2021, Pastor Steve Richards shared with the Servant Steering Team his plan to retire in 2022.

We are exceedingly grateful for the unprecedented 18 months advance notice Pastor Steve gave the Servant Steering Team. It gave us sufficient time to understand the appointment process, to affirm Messiah Church’s healthy culture and vision for the future, and to have time for prayer and discernment. While at the same time, working collaboratively with our District Superintendent, Dan Johnson, and the Cabinet regarding the pastor transition for Messiah Church.

On behalf of the Servant Steering Team, I share the news with great joy that Bishop David Bard will be appointing Pastor Tami Luckhardt as the next Lead Pastor for Messiah beginning July 1, 2022.

Please join me in extending our warmest congratulations to Pastor Tami.

Sincerely,

Maria Banda
Chair, Servant Steering Team

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A Prayer for Transition

October 31, 2021

God of Love, we give you thanks and praise for your steadfast mercy, love and grace. Through faith, we trust that you are with us in every season of life and in every transition and change. We trust in your goodness and know that with each ending, comes new beginnings. So, come, Holy Spirit, come. Guide, strengthen, and encourage us on the journey that lies before our Messiah Church family. It’s the assurance of your unfailing love which enables us to trust you with all the transitions in life. May your Word dwell in us richly, your peace rule in us powerfully, and may your glory be our main passion and greatest delight. We pray in the powerful and precious name of Jesus. Amen.

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Lead Pastor Transition Q & A

October 12, 2021

How does the Messiah Church find the next lead pastor?
In the United Methodist Church, the next lead pastor is appointed by the Bishop, in collaboration with the church. The Servant Steering Team (SST) is the body of the church who will be in conversation with the Bishop.

Can we vote as to who will be the next lead pastor?
The United Methodist Church system does not allow a vote by the church. The Bishop will appoint the next lead pastor, and the Servant Steering Team will be asked to consent to that appointment.

Is the search for a lead pastor limited to the MN geographic area only?
No, the Cabinet will search for the best lead pastor outside of MN if needed.

How do I share my thoughts about the type of person to consider for the next lead pastor?
You are welcome to communicate to the Servant Steering Team though email at ServantSteeringTeam@messiahchurch.org.

When will the candidate be identified?
We will hear from the Cabinet in the early part of 2022.

When will we likely know who the next lead pastor is?
By early next year we hope that we will hear from the Bishop.

Can the Church Profile be shared with the congregation? Can the Vision 2023 be shared with the congregation?
Yes, the Church Profile can be viewed here, and the Vision 2023 can be viewed here.

Is inclusivity mentioned in the Church Profile?
Yes, it is.

Is Pastor Tami being considered as the next lead pastor? Why can’t she be the next lead pastor?
The bishop will consider all options available and make the best appointment for Messiah Church. Pastor Tami wishes to stay at Messiah Church.

Do you anticipate any other staff changes resulting from Pastor Steve’s announcement?
No, we don’t anticipate any other staff changes, but are very well aware that life happens with each of us, and we will address any necessary changes at that time.

Will Pastor Steve remain connected to Messiah Church after he retires?
To allow for the next lead pastor to lead at Messiah, Steve will not play an active role at Messiah Church after he retires.

Can Pastor Steve perform any sacramental services if requested?
This will be addressed by the new lead pastor, who would need to extend an invitation for Steve to perform any sacramental services.

Will Messiah Church be subject to the “normal” pastor rotations other Methodist churches experience?
Today, pastors remain in a church longer than in the past. As long as the relationship between pastor and congregation is healthy and the pastor wants to remain, the appointment continues. How did Pastor Steve remain as long as he did? Because he declined other opportunities to move, wanting to remain at Messiah. And Messiah’s leadership asked that he continue.

Is Messiah Church’s strategic direction changing after we get a new lead pastor?
The SST will share with the new lead pastor the Vision 2023 established pre-COVID. The four focus areas (Children/Family, Youth, Serving, Communication) identified are still relevant to our time. The needs of the congregation and the communities around us are always assessed to see if we stay the course as planned or whether we need to pivot to meet the present needs.

A stated focus for Messiah is for children and youth development. One goal is “adults coming alongside youth.” How are we seeking adult volunteers for this purpose?
This will be addressed with Steve, Tami, and Sami Tierney, Director of Youth and Family Ministry, to develop a plan to meet this goal as noted in Vision 2023.

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Town Hall Meeting

October 3, 2021

On Sunday, October 3 the Servant Steering Team (SST) hosted a Town Hall meeting about Messiah’s pastor transition. This was an opportunity to meet the persons on our SST, learn about the transition process, and offer your input about what you hope for in the next lead/senior pastor:

SST Town Hall Presentation

Vision 2023 and the Church Profile provide an overview of Messiah Church past, present, and future. These documents inform the Bishop and the Cabinet of our church’s vision, mission and culture as they discern and identify pastoral candidates who have the gifts and abilities to match where Messiah Church is headed:

Vision 2023    Church Profile

The Servant Steering Team is the governance body of Messiah United Methodist Church. It holds the responsibility of protecting and championing the vision and values of Messiah. The eight persons on this team (read more about them below) consult with the Bishop and District Superintendent during the appointment process and provide leadership during the pastor transition. You may submit a question or comment to them via email:

Email the Servant Steering Team

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A Note to the Congregation

September 20, 2021

Dear Messiah family,

This is the hardest and most consequential letter that I have written to you. And in the past 21+ years, I have written a lot of letters! I entered ordained ministry 41 years ago. I regularly reflect on the experiences that prompted my decision to devote the rest of my life to Christian service. I’ve faced some challenging moments over the years, but I have never regretted my decision to say yes to the path that I felt God was placing before me. When I arrived at Messiah Church in the summer of 2000, I never could have imagined all that would transpire in the succeeding years. Mostly, I am grateful for the people I have met and known and loved. You have been my family of faith.

For the past year, I have pondered the reality of the calendar and how God can use me in the years ahead. Initially, I felt the Holy Spirit was calling me to do so much more at Messiah – and there is so much more ahead, but not with me as your senior pastor. After considerable prayer, discernment, and many conversations with Amanda, I have decided to retire on July 1, 2022, which will be my 66th birthday. I know that God is not finished with me yet, and in the next year I will be discerning how I can best serve God in the years ahead.

If you were not in worship on September 19, my sermon, At the Crossroads, includes my retirement announcement. That link is below.

Our church has a gifted staff committed to this church’s mission of growing disciples of Jesus. We also have gifted leadership on our Servant Steering Team. I informed our Servant Steering Team earlier this year of my intent to retire. We have been discerning the direction of the church and the transition implications following a tenure as long as mine. What I see ahead is great opportunity for Messiah Church.

Our Servant Steering Team is in consultation with our District Superintendent, Dan Johnson, and Bishop David Bard about the best person to be appointed to serve as Lead Pastor starting July 1. In coming weeks, our Servant Steering Team will keep you informed about the process of receiving a new pastor and how you can assist in that process and upcoming transition. Below, you will find photos of the persons on our Servant Steering Team and an email address that you can submit questions to and provide input. This web page will be the place where updates will be posted.

I am looking forward to the year ahead and the ways we will continue to see God at work in and through this church. It remains a privilege to serve as your pastor. I’m not sure I even have the words to express how grateful I am for our ministry together. Please keep me, my family, our church staff, and leadership in your prayers as we anticipate the future that is already in God’s hands.

In Christ’s love,

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At the Crossroads

September 19, 2021

On Sunday, September 19, Pastor Steve announced his retirement. Listen to that message here:

Pastor Steve’s Retirement Announcement

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Servant Steering Team

The Servant Steering Team (SST) is the governance body of Messiah United Methodist Church. It holds the responsibility of protecting and championing the vision and values of Messiah Church. There are eight persons on this team in addition to the senior pastor and executive pastor. They meet monthly on the third Tuesday of the month. The SST includes all responsibilities of the administrative roles as defined in the United Methodist Book of Discipline (Staff-Parish Relations, Trustees, Administrative Council, Nominations, and Finance). They will consult with the Bishop and District Superintendent during the appointment process and will provide leadership during the pastor transition. You may submit a question or comment to them via email at ServantSteeringTeam@messiahchurch.org.

 

Email the Servant Steering Team