OCTOBER 2005

Dear Mt. Olive Family and Friends,

You’ve seen it now for a couple years. It has appeared weekly in our Sunday bulletins. It’s on our stationary. You’ll find it on all our advertising flyers and brochures.

I’m referring to the statement: “An “old church” with a “New Vision”.

Recently someone asked me what that meant. I was caught off guard. I had never really had to verbalize the intent of that statement before. But thanks to the question, I have been forced to put into words what – for me at least – the statement is meant to convey.

First of all, being an “old church” is by no means meant to suggest something derogatory or unfavorable. Quite the opposite. We have a history – and it’s a history we can be very proud of. (History really means “His Story” – it’s the story of God’s dealing with us under the mantle of His grace.)

As an “old church”, this building on the corner of Almond and Pascal goes back 79 years to 1926. For the first 16 years, only the basement existed. It wasn’t until 1942 that the actual sanctuary as we know it was dedicated.

But Mt. Olive congregation existed five years before moving to the corner of Almond and Pascal. The congregation, incorporated on May 1, 1921, first worshipped in a little church at the corner of Gordon and Scudder. They then rented a building near the corner of Snelling and Como in which Sunday School was held. Can you believe that by 1925, Mt. Olive had 125 children in Sunday School? Wow!

As far as I can tell, Mt. Olive congregation grew very rapidly in the early years – with very little effort on the part of the congregation. This was the part of town to which large numbers of people were moving. If you were “Lutheran” – any Lutheran – you automatically joined Mt. Olive. And you brought your family. Most families had at least enough children to field a basketball team with a couple extras on the bench. Some could field a football team. (Just how big was the Schmugge clan living right across the street?!)

We’re an “old church” rich in history and tradition. We preach and teach the same “old-time religion” from a Bible we still regard as the holy, inspired, infallible, unerring Word of the living God. And we make no apologies for that.

We’re an “old church” and still sing the hymns our parents and grandparents loved to sing. We have a beautiful pipe organ to accompany the singing. If you click on “old church” at our website, you’ll be linked to a site where you can listen to and sing every hymn from our old Lutheran Hymnal (TLH).

Old is beautiful!

But what’s it mean to be an “old church” with a “New Vision”? Just what is that “New Vision”?

When Mt. Olive was built, it served as a neighborhood church. It saw the neighborhood as its mission field. Many members, perhaps most, could walk to church if need be. Likewise, its style of worship, its communication of the message, its ministries and programs all fit the people of the community surrounding it.

That has changed. We are no longer a neighborhood church. Members within walking distance could occupy two pews with room to spare.

The “New Vision” takes into account that we still need to see the neighborhood as our mission field. However, I don’t believe we’ve ever canvassed the area “south of the tracks”. This would include the entire Midway area and Frogtown. When Trinity moved to the suburbs, they left this entire area to their closest sister congregation: Mt. Olive.

This “New Vision” sees people who are likely not to be German or Scandinavian. It includes people far different from the founders of this congregation on the outside, but identical on the inside: sinners needing a Savior. Our planning, our programs, and our ministries simply must reach “south of the tracks”.

Having a “New Vision” also necessitates an openness to change in areas where Scripture neither commands nor forbids. We are not required by God to sing only the old hymns or to use only the pipe organ. We are not restricted by God to follow only a prescribed liturgy printed in a hymnal. Having a “New Vision” allows us the freedom to think outside the box and to prayerfully explore new ways to worship God, serve God, and minister to the people of a changing world – people He brings into our midst. If you click on “New Vision” at our website, you’ll be linked to another site known as “Church and Change”. This site, operated by WELS visionaries, offers a host of exciting ideas and opportunities to reach out to our community with the life and love of Jesus.

I’m sure there is much more that could be said about : “An “old church” with a “New Vision”. Hopefully this brief article will be the starting point of many fruitful discussions. Prayerfully, these discussions will then lead to a host of seized opportunities in which Mt. Olive truly is: “An “old church” with a “New Vision”!

To God be the glory!

Pastor Carl Henkel