Shepherd of the Lakes has long existed on the prayers and generosity of our brothers and sisters from other congregations across the district, but two years ago, the congregation decided that it was time to put ourselves in God's hands and grab the opportunity to truly test this mission field with a full-time pastor. We knew at that time that we were, in a sense, taking a chance, but we wanted to seize the opportunity while it was available so that we could confidently say that we'd tried.
Shepherd of the Lakes has also received a great amount of assistance in our ministry from WELS from the synod itself. The past two years the synod's Board for Home Missions has given some assistance to our congregation, but this year the BHM decided not to grant any funding to Milford.
After thoroughly exploring our financial situation and the options before us, the congregation has decided to close its doors.
In light of that decision, the congregation is moving forward with efforts to sell the building and they have made me eligible for a call to serve as pastor elsewhere.
We have not set a date for a final service, but are tentatively looking at the weekend of September 29th.
The congregation is so thankful for God's blessings over the last 13 years, especially the prayers, offerings, and encouragement from our brothers and sisters in the Minnesota District, but in light of the lack of growth, the congregation prays that the remaining resources of the congregation might better serve to support another ministry.
