Dear St Luke's Family,

In July 2009, leadership from the HopeSpring Development Team and St. Luke's met with Mont Duncan (Florida Conference), Jim Griffin (New Church Development Consultant for the Conference), Dave Elyea (EastCentral District) and Wayne Wiatt (District Superintendent) to discuss the challenges that existed at HopeSpring which was not at the point where it should have been to be a viable church start. The outcome of that meeting was a recommendation by Mont and Jim that we discontinue HopeSpring as a new church start and try again at a later time with a new church plant initiative.

After much discernment and prayer, the St. Luke's Church Council negotiated a compromise with the Conference and District to instead pursue a church plant "transition", agreeing to focus all energy around the building of evangelistic small groups and outreach in the community - critical emphasis for a successful new church plant. Worship would be scaled back and many changes to past approaches and practices would also need to be embraced to ensure that a timely transition to viable independence would occur. With reservations, this compromise was cautiously accepted by Mont and the other conference/district leaders. In conjunction with this compromise, a request was made for a dedicated pastor for HopeSpring who was experienced in new church plants which was something Church Council and the HopeSpring Development Team believed was essential to the success of this venture. The outcome of this request was the appointment of Matt White as the new pastor beginning in late March.

Unfortunately, recent events within the HopeSpring community have called into question the validity of this compromise approach. Divisions have surfaced amongst the body, both within the worshipping congregation at HopeSpring and between the Mother/Daughter congregations that does not lend itself to a healthy continuance towards a charted new church plant as HopeSpring. This became apparent to the Conference and District leadership when they were recently copied on a series of emails that highlighted these disagreements. In turn, these developments prompted Mont, Wayne and Dave to come to conclude that the compromise solution deployed at HopeSpring in the Fall is not working as hoped and continuation of the current approach and the HopeSpring initiative is unlikely to ultimately lead to a healthy and viable new church plant.

In a letter to St Luke's Church Council received Tuesday, February 16, Mont, Dave and Wayne recommended once again that we discontinue HopeSpring and begin with a fresh new church plant once Matt White has arrived and can shepherd this effort. They so strongly believe this is the only viable option at this time that all funding associated with the new church start will now be contingent upon St. Luke's acceptance of this course of action.

Sometimes a single issue or decision can expose a broader and much more significant reality for a congregation. Last month's pastoral position discontinuations appear to have exposed a deeper and broader sense of disenfranchisement, mistrust and disagreement on vision and direction than any of us were willing to admit to ourselves. Church Council met to discuss this recommendation Tuesday evening and eventually came to the conclusion that the recommendations by our Conference and District advisors were sound, realistic and consistent with our continuing goal to establish a new church in the Horizon West community. Effective, Sunday February 28, HopeSpring will be discontinued. This was a very difficult decision but one that is the right move for the existing circumstances with the purpose of building the kingdom. On that Sunday, we will hold our last worship service as HopeSpring with a service of celebration and remembrance for the journey so far. Then, for an indefinite period of time until a new congregation based on strong, outward-reaching small groups is formed, all HopeSpring activities will be halted. All those involved at HopeSpring are encouraged and welcomed to join the entire St. Luke's family in worship, which includes any of five services, as well as any other activity at the central campus location.

St. Luke's remains committed to a new church plant in this West Orange community. Therefore, once Matt White arrives and can assess the situation, we will begin this process again with a strict adherence to Conference and District guidelines associated with the successful launching of a new church start.

We ask that you keep all concerned in your prayers as there will need to be a time of grief and healing as well as a renewed since of purpose to achieve this goal that we all still believe is possible for the glory of His kingdom.

Mark Adelhelm
Church Council Chairperson

Q1 Why was this decision made?

Church Council received a clear recommendation from Conference and District leaders that the divide which exists within the HopeSpring community would not support a successful continuance to charter. This is the second time this recommendation was made. Mont Duncan and the other leaders have a great deal of experience with new church starts. Church Council felt it was prudent to heed their advice and start fresh with this effort.

Q2 Where can existing HopeSpring attendees worship?

As HopeSpring has been a daughter church plant of St. Luke's, all who attend HopeSpring are considered part of the St. Luke's congregation. We would encourage any attendees who wish to continue with St. Luke's on this endeavor to reach new people in planting a new church, to worship at any of the five services held on the Central Campus each Sunday.

Q3 How long will it take to get re-started in West Orange?

In accordance with Conference guidelines, this process will begin with Matt White building small groups and reaching out to the community. At the same time, he will begin preaching on the Central Campus on occasion. There is no specific calendar timetable for when this new church plant will begin to hold regular meetings outside of small groups. Rather it is based on a set of benchmarks that are very specific to the number of small group participants as well as worshiping adults. There is a required "check-in" with the Conference and District related to the benchmarks in 18 months.

Q4 What if someone from HopeSpring needs pastoral care?

The St. Luke's staff is ready to support them with any needs that they may have. Simply notify the church office and someone will be available.

Q5 What about the Confirmation Class that is currently underway at HopeSpring?

This class will continue through to the Confirmation service in March.

Q6 What about existing small groups at HopeSpring? Do they have to discontinue?

We will not continue with efforts to expand or start new small groups as a part of HopeSpring. However, if existing groups chose to continue to meet, this is fine. They will be included in St. Luke's small groups and resources and support will be available through St. Luke's.

Q7 Why can't the restart continue as HopeSpring?

In keeping with the Conference recommendation, it is best that there is a complete fresh start under a new name and new direction in order to be successful.

Q8 What happens to the BodyBuilding money associated with HopeSpring?

The BodyBuilding campaign was in support of a new church start in the Horizon West area of West Orange County. It is still the full intent of St. Luke's to pursue this goal.

Q9 Are we still moving forward with the land purchase?

As it is still the goal of St. Luke's to charter a new congregation in this area, we will continue to pursue the land purchase.

Q10 What about the leased space at the Shoppes of Lake Butler?

We are contractually obligated to the lease of this facility. It was originally envisioned as a mission center for the needs of that community. We will seek opportunities to use it in this capacity. A job support center is already planned. Other potential uses are as extensions of the School of the Arts or the Counseling Center. We are also seeking other revenue generating opportunities to offset the lease cost.

These questions and answers will be posted on the St. Luke's website at www.st.lukes.org/HopeSpring. If you have other questions please send them to churchcouncil@st.lukes.org. They will be posted along with the answers.