Rates of attendance would conceivably tumble if churches lacked a full-time pastor or priest and did not have a regular meeting place.
Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, which has just moved their services to the Carriage House in Clintonwood Park, continues to worship despite lacking both.
‘Ninety-five percent of the members are active besides worship and that’s why this is working,? said Karen Zeile, who has presided over services thus far.
In a makeshift fashion, Christ the Shepherd held services in places ranging from the Independence Township firestation meeting hall to Cedar Crest Academy to Church of the Resurrection, since it started to worship together in Oct. 2004 said Zeile
The church congregation of approximately 70 regular members, many Clarkston area residents, is pursuing a permanent place to worship. Since May, church members led by Mel Vaara have looked at approximately 17 venues in the area including churches, community centers, schools and rentals, said Zeile.
‘Through that process, we tried to keep in mind that it wasn’t so much finding a place, but finding a place in the right location? Our search really became focused on the area north of the village including the rest of Independence Township, Springfield and Ortonville,? said Zeile.
The church started after members found they shared many of the same beliefs and visions.
‘We started having meals together and being in conversation about different church communities we were visiting. The group realized we had a lot in common; wanting to worship together and wanting to serve in the community,? said Zeile.
‘For instance, we believe Sunday school needs to be separate from service because kids need to be in worship,? said Zeile. ‘We also believe there needs to be shift from the church being the center of the spiritual community to the family being the center of the spiritual community? Church should be an extension of family and family an extension of church.?
According to Zeile, the church’s goals of becoming involved in the community on a personal level have been hindered by not having a regular place to worship. She said church goals include many service projects including taking in a displaced family from Hurricane Katrina, starting a permanent food pantry and delivering food to those in need.
‘Spreading and sharing the Gospel is the direct call of the church and we see our specific way of doing that is through service? We want to make sure the people know in who’s name we’re doing it,? said Zeile.
As of now, Zeile, who has a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Marygrove College and is in the process of becoming a diaconal minister through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, does most of the preaching.
‘I will not be pastor. They’re beginning the process of looking for a pastor. I was just part of the mission development for the church,? said Zeile.
While much progress has been made since the church was founded, Zeile acknowledges the lengthy process ahead.
‘I don’t see us settled with our own building for five years. I’m hopeful we will be two to three times as large. If we can get settled in a rental place, it will be a big help,? said Zeile. ‘I don’t know if we’d be in existence without support from the Church of the Resurrection, not just them renting us space, but their moral support,? said Zeile.
Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church holds Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. in the Carriage House in Clintonwood Park. Sunday School is also provided for kids of all ages starting at 9:15 a.m. For more information, contact Karen Zeile at 248-625-1718.