About a year ago, I transitioned into the lead pastor role as someone brought in to help re-plant our church as Pastor Roger set sail into retirement (while still shredding on his Sunday electric guitar). Stepping into an existing church with a long history has been both a gift and a challenge. Re-planting is not simply “starting fresh.” It is learning how to honor a church’s past while also embracing the difficult changes needed for a healthy future. Here are a few early takeaways from our first year in Tucson.

Harnessing Our Brethren DNA for the Sake of Change

One surprising gift in this season has been rediscovering the strengths within our Brethren heritage. We regularly talk about where we have come from as a local church, the broader Brethren movement we belong to, and the distinct theological convictions that shape us. Rather than viewing our tradition as an obstacle to change, we are learning to see it as a resource for renewal. Re-planting is not about becoming something entirely different. It is about asking how our theological identity can faithfully serve the present moment and the city God has called us to love.

Change Is Necessary And Tiring

This last year has involved significant change across nearly every area of church life. In order to survive, we have adjusted musical direction, updated facilities, reworked structures and leadership processes, clarified membership, and reshaped ministry rhythms. Some of those changes have brought excitement. Others have brought grief and tension. Everyone is experiencing in real time what they think of change. Just as our congregation had to learn to navigate the emotional tension of internal change, we quickly realized that building relationships with the surrounding Tucson community would require an equal amount of time, care, and emotional investment.

Community Re-Engagement Takes Time

Meaningful community engagement does not happen overnight. A church can relaunch a website, update a building, or host events quickly, but trust develops slowly. In many ways, re-engaging a neighborhood feels like rebuilding friendships. You show up consistently. You listen. You learn the rhythms of the community. You begin awkwardly at times. Then over time, familiarity and trust begin to grow.

Trying New Forms of Evangelism Has Been an Early Success

One encouraging takeaway has been our willingness to experiment with outreach. We have described many of these efforts as “exploratory” because we are still learning what resonates with both our church and our surrounding community. This year we hosted an updated communion celebration, an arts camp for kids, Baptism Sunday, and apartment outreach gatherings. None of these events were polished or perfect, but together they have become overtures of change…small signs pointing toward a church seeking to be present, hospitable, and centered on Jesus.

The Spirit’s Leading and Strategic Planning Are Not Opposites

Early on, I felt tension between careful planning and openness to the Spirit’s leading. Over time, I am learning that those things are not mutually exclusive. Strategic planning helps create clarity, accountability, and direction. But ministry also requires attentiveness, flexibility, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Some of the most meaningful opportunities this year were unplanned conversations, unexpected relationships, or moments where we sensed God redirecting our assumptions.

Staying Fixed on the Eternal Gospel of Jesus

One of the most stabilizing decisions we made this year was to slowly teach through Colossians together as a church. In a season full of transition, uncertainty, and change, we needed to continually re-center ourselves on the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Re-planting can easily become consumed with metrics, branding, attendance, finances, or strategy. While those things matter, they cannot become ultimate things. Colossians has continually called us back to the eternal gospel that Jesus is before all things, holds all things together, and is reconciling all things to Himself.

Leaving the Outcome to God

Re-planting has forced me to confront how little control I actually have. You can plan carefully, preach faithfully, lead courageously, and work tirelessly and still not be able to manufacture spiritual renewal. Some days feel incredibly hopeful. Other days feel slow, fragile, and uncertain. But one of the quiet lessons of this year has been learning to leave the outcome to God. Scripture reminds us that one plants, another waters, but God gives the growth. Our responsibility is faithfulness. The results belong to Him.

In Conclusion

One year in, we still have far to go. But looking back on this first chapter, we are deeply grateful for every small sign of life, every hard conversation, every new relationship, and every reminder that Jesus is still building His church.

UPCOMING MULTIPLICATION ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

May 22 – Multiplication Team Meeting

July 21 – General Conference Multiplication Lunch (REGISTER TODAY!)

July 22 – General Conference Workshop: Multiplication 101: Moving Toward the World in the Way of Jesus

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Mission As a Mindset, Not a Model | FORGE AMERICA PODCAST