Living, thriving organisms grow. As God is blessing the faithful, kingdom work we do together in Jesus' name, we grow! With this growth comes a certain number of important challenges. In faithful response, a Long-Term Planning/Visioning team was assembled to address these needs. Surveying and listening to both the congregation and the community over the past four years have given some clarity to our path moving forward. At our annual meeting in January, the congregation gave unanimous support to a concept that encompasses our capital campaign theme: "Push Out the Walls. Make Space for What Matters." Adopting the presented concept and empowering the launch of a capital campaign were necessary steps to move this vision forward.

As we observe our Lord Jesus in action throughout the scriptures, we see a savior who is always making room for the outcast, the oppressed, the downtrodden. He keeps "pushing out the walls" to make room for a so-loved world to participate in Jesus' coming kingdom.

The theme of this campaign, "Push Out the Walls. Make Space for What Matters." begs the question, "What Matters?" A LOT matters: You matter, your neighbor matters, people in need matter, those not yet here matter, Sunday School matters, worship matters, staff safety and cohesiveness matter, access to the building matters, maintaining this facility matters, serving the community matters, the future matters, being faithful matters, positioning Good Shepherd Lutheran Church to serve the needs of God's Kingdom into the future matters,... as you can probably tell, this list of what matters is nearly impossible to exhaust!

When we have time to reflect, we realize just how much we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. Our churches, schools, hospitals, care facilities, parks, and countless other services that are easy to take for granted, have been handed to us to steward for future generations.

This capital campaign is generational. The work on which we are about to embark will provide future generations the pushed-out walls with space for what matters. Future generations will stand on your shoulders and give thanks for the faithful work you are about to do, as the mission of God continues through Good Shepherd Lutheran until Christ comes again.

Thank you for embracing and advancing this important work of God that not only affects the Bismarck/Mandan area, but indeed, reaches to the ends of the Earth! Thank you for sacrificially giving of your time, energy, and resources, as the Apostle Paul's vision in Romans 12 comes into view:

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God's mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:1-2, NRSV

On behalf of all your siblings in Christ and the countless, faithful servants who have gone before us, your fellow co-worker in the Kingdom of God,

Pastor Bill Rindy