Shepherd's Heart 8/29/25
Dear Ones,
As we move into this fall season, I want to speak from my heart as your pastor, shepherd, and fellow disciple of Jesus. These coming months are not just another round of church events or programs. They are an invitation—an urgent call—for us to step fully into the life of being the Church.
Back in May, I shared a vision at our Annual Meeting rooted in a single word: EQUIP.
This word is not a strategy or a theme. It is a calling, anchored in Ephesians 4, where we are told that Christ gave pastors and teachers not to do the ministry for the Church, but to equip the saints for the work of ministry. The purpose? So that the body of Christ might be built up into maturity, unity, and love.
Let me be clear: this is not just about leadership or volunteers. This is about the Church—you—becoming formed into the likeness of Christ and sent into the world with His mission.
This is a season where we move:
Because when the people of God are equipped, they become more than just good attendees. They become witnesses. Not performers. Not consumers. But disciples who know who they are in Christ and live as salt and light in a world that is desperate for truth, beauty, and redemption.
Last Fling: Worship in the Public Square
We begin this fall not inside a sanctuary, but in the middle of our city. On Sunday, August 31st at 9:30am, we will worship together at Naperville’s Last Fling.
This is more than an outreach event. It is an act of witness. We will raise our voices not to entertain a crowd, but to lift up Jesus in the heart of our community. We will worship publicly to declare that Christ is Lord not only of our church services, but of every square inch of creation.
Mayor Scott Wehrli will open the morning with a greeting, and then we will do what we were made to do—praise Jesus with boldness, joy, and reverence.
This is our opportunity to be visible for our neighbors, not in theory, but in presence.
Why Equip?
Because the Church cannot afford to remain shallow. We are equipping for the long haul. We are not formed by default; we are formed by intention.
Formation is not an extracurricular activity of the Christian life. It is the Christian life.
We equip so that you are strengthened in the Word.
We equip so that you can build others up in love.
We equip so that your life becomes a living testimony to the kingdom of God.
As Paul writes in Romans 12, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That’s the work of equipping. Not flashy. Not instant. But slow, steady, deep transformation into the image of Christ—for the sake of the world.
Everything we’re doing this fall is designed to form a church that is spiritually rooted, biblically grounded, and missionally sent.
Theology Cohorts (Thursdays starting September 18)
These aren’t just classes. They are spaces for deep spiritual and theological formation. You will be stretched to see the redemptive arc of Scripture with fresh awe, to understand the foundations of your faith, and to engage church history and doctrine—not as abstract ideas, but as realities that shape how we live and love.
Community Nights (Mondays starting September 8)
An intentional space for shared meals, worship, devotion, and spiritual growth. These evenings are not just social—they are part of our discipleship pathway to help you walk with Jesus in everyday life.
Student Ministry Fall Kickoff (Sunday, September 7)
Our students are not the future Church. They are the Church now. And this generation is hungry for truth, for belonging, and for mission. We are committed to equipping them to follow Jesus with courage and clarity.
Women’s Bible Study (Tuesdays starting September 9)
Women gathering around the Word of God with purpose and power. This study will be centered on Threaded, and it will guide participants into a deeper understanding of Scripture and calling.
55+ Lunch & Learn (Thursday, September 11)
For those in the later chapters of life, your role in the Church is not diminished—it’s needed more than ever. Join us as we talk about how you can stay engaged in mission and prayerfully lead in this season.
This Is Your Moment
So I’m asking you, Church, step in.
Join a cohort.
Show up at Last Fling and lift high the name of Jesus.
Bring your kids, your questions, your gifts, and your whole self.
The Holy Spirit is already at work. The table is set.
And now is the time to say yes.
We are not here to build a crowd. We are here to build the Church.
And the Church is not a place you go.
It is a people who are equipped, empowered, and sent.
Let’s become that Church.
From my heart,
Pastor Tara Beth
As we move into this fall season, I want to speak from my heart as your pastor, shepherd, and fellow disciple of Jesus. These coming months are not just another round of church events or programs. They are an invitation—an urgent call—for us to step fully into the life of being the Church.
Back in May, I shared a vision at our Annual Meeting rooted in a single word: EQUIP.
This word is not a strategy or a theme. It is a calling, anchored in Ephesians 4, where we are told that Christ gave pastors and teachers not to do the ministry for the Church, but to equip the saints for the work of ministry. The purpose? So that the body of Christ might be built up into maturity, unity, and love.
Let me be clear: this is not just about leadership or volunteers. This is about the Church—you—becoming formed into the likeness of Christ and sent into the world with His mission.
This is a season where we move:
- From watching to walking.
- From sitting in the pew to stepping into purpose.
- From formation being optional to formation being essential.
Because when the people of God are equipped, they become more than just good attendees. They become witnesses. Not performers. Not consumers. But disciples who know who they are in Christ and live as salt and light in a world that is desperate for truth, beauty, and redemption.
Last Fling: Worship in the Public Square
We begin this fall not inside a sanctuary, but in the middle of our city. On Sunday, August 31st at 9:30am, we will worship together at Naperville’s Last Fling.
This is more than an outreach event. It is an act of witness. We will raise our voices not to entertain a crowd, but to lift up Jesus in the heart of our community. We will worship publicly to declare that Christ is Lord not only of our church services, but of every square inch of creation.
Mayor Scott Wehrli will open the morning with a greeting, and then we will do what we were made to do—praise Jesus with boldness, joy, and reverence.
This is our opportunity to be visible for our neighbors, not in theory, but in presence.
Why Equip?
Because the Church cannot afford to remain shallow. We are equipping for the long haul. We are not formed by default; we are formed by intention.
Formation is not an extracurricular activity of the Christian life. It is the Christian life.
We equip so that you are strengthened in the Word.
We equip so that you can build others up in love.
We equip so that your life becomes a living testimony to the kingdom of God.
As Paul writes in Romans 12, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That’s the work of equipping. Not flashy. Not instant. But slow, steady, deep transformation into the image of Christ—for the sake of the world.
Everything we’re doing this fall is designed to form a church that is spiritually rooted, biblically grounded, and missionally sent.
Theology Cohorts (Thursdays starting September 18)
These aren’t just classes. They are spaces for deep spiritual and theological formation. You will be stretched to see the redemptive arc of Scripture with fresh awe, to understand the foundations of your faith, and to engage church history and doctrine—not as abstract ideas, but as realities that shape how we live and love.
Community Nights (Mondays starting September 8)
An intentional space for shared meals, worship, devotion, and spiritual growth. These evenings are not just social—they are part of our discipleship pathway to help you walk with Jesus in everyday life.
Student Ministry Fall Kickoff (Sunday, September 7)
Our students are not the future Church. They are the Church now. And this generation is hungry for truth, for belonging, and for mission. We are committed to equipping them to follow Jesus with courage and clarity.
Women’s Bible Study (Tuesdays starting September 9)
Women gathering around the Word of God with purpose and power. This study will be centered on Threaded, and it will guide participants into a deeper understanding of Scripture and calling.
55+ Lunch & Learn (Thursday, September 11)
For those in the later chapters of life, your role in the Church is not diminished—it’s needed more than ever. Join us as we talk about how you can stay engaged in mission and prayerfully lead in this season.
This Is Your Moment
So I’m asking you, Church, step in.
Join a cohort.
Show up at Last Fling and lift high the name of Jesus.
Bring your kids, your questions, your gifts, and your whole self.
The Holy Spirit is already at work. The table is set.
And now is the time to say yes.
We are not here to build a crowd. We are here to build the Church.
And the Church is not a place you go.
It is a people who are equipped, empowered, and sent.
Let’s become that Church.
From my heart,
Pastor Tara Beth
Posted in Shepherds Heart