A History of Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, Florida

Building for a Future of Gospel Ministry

A Novel Concept: Team Ministry in Jacksonville

On May 3, 1976, the South Atlantic District Mission Board of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) submitted a proposal to the Synod’s General Board for Home Missions. They saw problems in how the Synod was establishing new missions in the district, especially in large metropolitan areas. They wrote: “Our experience over the past three to eight years, especially in our ‘outpost major metro’ areas such as Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, etc. leads us to feel that, considering the amount of manpower and money we are investing in these congregations, we are simply not seeing enough return.”[1]

These men now proposed a new idea that they called “team ministry.” According to this mode of operation a team of two theologically trained men would work together in building up an existing congregation, while establishing another congregation in a nearby location. They suggested that the Board might consider adding “manpower in the early stages of … a congregation’s history” to see if some of the usual pitfalls for mission congregations might be avoided, and they asked permission “to implement at least one such situation” in the district. Permission was granted.

Already on April 28, 1976, Pastor John Vogt of Our Savior, Jacksonville, Florida, had written the District Mission Board, asking them to consider Jacksonville as a possible location for this new approach. He wrote: “This request comes not only on my own, but has been discussed informally with the Church Council and voters. The reaction so far has been most positive.” In fact, Pastor Vogt reported that even “before we knew there was any such possibility, the Voter’s Assembly, held on April 4, discussed the starting of the second mission in Jacksonville. At that meeting the team concept was also discussed. It was the general consensus of those present that a new mission should be started when possible, and I was encouraged to explore avenues of getting a vicar or team to help carry it out.” Personally, Vogt felt that this idea was almost divinely-conceived, viewing “the possibility of acquiring a mission-team in Jacksonville to be another step in the strangely mysterious ways the Lord works.”[2]

Vogt went on to outline thirteen reasons why Jacksonville would be ideal for this team ministry approach. Among the positives cited were these: Jacksonville was a good-sized, growing city; there was a good potential area for a second mission on the west side of town near Orange Park; there would be a good nucleus of proven members, and a good number of potentially interested persons, especially considering that Jacksonville was a military city. The District Mission Board was convinced and decided to request that a pastoral candidate from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary be assigned to Our Savior to begin team ministry with Vogt. The July 2, 1977 edition of the Jacksonville Journal even reported that “a third pastor will be added next spring,” a plan that never materialized.

In May 1977 the District Mission Board’s request was granted, and on July 10, 1977, Candidate Edward P. Schuppe was ordained and installed at Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jacksonville. For nine months he worked with Pastor Vogt in a team ministry helping at Our Savior and working to establish a Wisconsin Synod exploratory mission on the West Side of Jacksonville.

A Man, A Plan, A Mission: Starting on the West Side

The new west side mission was officially founded on January 8, 1978, when Pastor Schuppe conducted the first service at Little Friends’ Nursery, located at 4040 Confederate Point Road, in Jacksonville. Forty-nine people attended the service. Twenty-seven attended Bible study and Sunday School. From its inception, the mission’s membership numbered 21 communicant members and 33 baptized souls.

The charter members of the congregation, who all came from Our Savior, included: the Burkharts, the Farrells, the Galinats, the Gambles, Mrs. Elizabeth Kuehn, the Emory Kuehn family, Ms. Martha Mugge, the Radomskis, the Schuppes, and the Woods. The first family to join the church afterwards was the Nordeens – Mike, Pat, Jeff and Christa – on February 5, 1978.

During the first three months of 1978, Pastor Schuppe and Pastor Vogt did extensive canvassing in the vicinity of Little Friends’ Nursery. An article concerning Pastor Schuppe and the new church appeared in the Florida Times-Union and Journal on January 14, 1978, entitled: “His Crusade: Spread Word, Start Mission.” The article reported that “unlike some religious canvassers who attempt to convert people, (Schuppe) said, ‘my idea is not to convert anybody. The Holy Spirit is going to reap the results.  All I have to do is leave the word of God with you.’” The writer also reported that Schuppe “credits Vogt, whom he calls a master of the canvass-witnessing technique, with helping him to develop his own. When visiting homes, he uses a soft approach. ‘I try to be low key, not forceful.  I don’t try to get into their houses. I try to be friendly and personable.’”

In March 1978 Schuppe would report to his small group gathered on the west side that the team ministry concept was slowly being phased out. He wrote, “I have been relieved of almost all my responsibilities at Our Savior. I no longer teach Christian Day School and Public School confirmation classes over there. … This allows me more time to devote to the Mission and its work on this side of town. … So, as you can see, the team ministry is coming to an end.”[3]

Getting the word out about the new mission was the top priority. This was done especially through the use of newspapers and canvassing. The pastor wrote, “We are still working hard at letting people know who we are and where we are. We advertise in the Westside Story, which also did a feature article about the Mission. The Clay Today lists our location and time of services every week and from time to time the Times-Union writes about our special services in their ‘Religious Roundup’ section on Saturdays.”[4] Schuppe admitted some “disappointment in the number of people (helping with) our evangelism program,”[5] while reporting that five women and three young people did hand out brochures and do some door-to-door canvassing in early 1978.

Guided by the Good Shepherd: A New Congregation is Formed

Despite some inevitable bumps in the road, the Lord blessed the new mission with a quick start. During the first three months of 1978 worship attendance averaged nearly 50 people each Sunday. Already by March 26, membership stood at 45 souls and 32 communicants. The Synod’s Mission Board reported that the congregation was “very energetic and hardworking. They are very committed, because they had been driving between 25-100 miles to go to church every Sunday before January 8 and were some of Our Savior’s most faithful members. They are willing to work and accept responsibility. They are also very concerned about sound doctrine and practices.”[6] The District Mission Board agreed with the assessment and pushed for land search authority along with mission status, stating, “Although ‘land search’ at the same time as ‘mission status’ is a bit unusual, we feel it is justified and totally in order here. … Size, potential, attitude, everything points to this being the right step at this time. Anything less will hinder orderly progress.”[7] On April 28, the executive secretary of the Synod’s General Board for Home Missions, Pastor Norman Berg, wrote the congregation to inform them that they had been granted mission status. He concluded enthusiastically, “We rejoice with the new mission congregation at this sign of commitment by our Synod to work with the group permanently in our cooperative evangelistic work in the Lord!”

A special meeting had been called on March 19, 1978, to choose a name for the new mission. From a list of more than 350 names, Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church was chosen. On May 7, 1978, Good Shepherd Sunday was set aside to thank the Lord for his guidance in starting the new Jacksonville mission. The congregation also celebrated the fact that mission status had been granted by the Synod in just four short months. After a congregational supper that evening, Pastor Larry Zweig, the District Mission Board chairman, spoke to the congregation and explained what mission status meant for the budding congregation. In anticipation of this big day, Pastor Schuppe wrote emphatically: “Don’t miss this! This is and will be one of the most important days in the history of Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church!”[8]

A Promising Start: Reaching Out with the Gospel, Encouraging One Another

In his letter to the Colossians, St. Paul expressed his thankfulness to the Lord because “all over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing” (1:6). The gospel was bearing fruit in Jacksonville as well, and the congregation offered their thanks. The first confirmation class was received into communicant membership on May 21, 1978. There was one youth, Ernie Kuehn, and three adults: Evelyn Branson and Mack & Lucy Shortt. The first Christian funeral conducted by Pastor Schuppe was that of Ms. Martha Mugge on October 26, 1978.

In August 1978 ten Lutheran collegians from Wisconsin and Minnesota gave the congregation’s outreach efforts a big boost by canvassing homes within a one-mile radius of the nursery. They went to nearly 3,500 homes sharing the good news about our Good Shepherd to nearly 1200 people. The first Vacation Bible School was also held during two weeks that same month at the Schuppe home in Orange Park. This gave the children of the congregation an opportunity to hear and share the good news that Jesus loves children. All sixteen of the congregation’s children attended, along with sixteen children from outside the congregation who had been invited by their friends in the congregation.

Not only did the congregation reach out with the gospel, they also encouraged one another in the faith. In late 1978 and early 1979 four important organizations were formed within the congregation to support that work of encouragement: the choir, the LWMS, the altar guild and Boy and Girl Pioneers.

The choir held its first practice in September 1978 and sang once a month for regular services and for special services like Thanksgiving and Christmas. One of the earliest choir directors was Mrs. Kristi Husted.

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) also held its first meeting that same September. This group was formed so that all the women of the congregation might participate together in Bible study, service projects and fellowship. Ruth Radomski served as the first president. In October the altar guild was formed with Lucy Shortt serving as the first chairwoman.  It too was for all the women of the congregation. In 1980 the LWMS and the altar guild were reorganized.  They began having a combined meeting, and all the ladies took part in every project. In time their group became known simply as the Ladies’ Group.

The Boy and Girl Pioneers, which had been meeting with their respective groups at Our Savior, began their own programs on January 31, 1979.

One other important development that took place at that time was the formation of a Prayer Chain in February 1979. It was explained in the church newsletter that month. This chain would be made up of families within the congregation willing to pray for those who request prayers in time of need or for blessings received. Evelyn and Gerry Rubbert were especially instrumental in getting the prayer chain off the ground.

The steady development of the congregation and eager involvement of its members led the General Board for Home Missions to select Good Shepherd as the subject for an instructional film for other mission congregations in our Synod. The film was entitled “A Mission Grows.” A bulletin insert on May 4, 1980, announced, “It is not exactly Hollywood, but our congregation will be ‘in the movies.’” The Lord was blessing the congregation’s reaching out with the gospel and their encouragement of one another, giving the congregation a promising start.

Taking Root: Searching for a Permanent Site

In September 1978 the Wisconsin Synod granted land search authority to Good Shepherd. The congregation immediately formed a Land Search Committee to find suitable property for a new church building. Gerry Rubbert served as the chairman of this committee. In June 1979 it was reported that the committee recommended that the congregation look for land in “an area from 118^th Street and Collins Road (north and south) and 2-3 blocks off of Blanding Boulevard (east and west).”[9] They also recommended securing the services of Danny Leigh and Associates, a commercial real estate brokerage firm which specialized in larger tracts of land. That firm located over 30 different prospective sites in west Jacksonville. The committee narrowed these down to four, and the congregation selected three in the following order: three acres off of 103^rd Street on Harlow, three acres located off Blanding on DuClay, and three acres in Argyle Forest behind a proposed Village Center.

When a synod representative came to examine the sites, he found all three undesirable for different reasons, including lack of proximity to potential growth areas, costly site development and undesirable neighborhoods or surrounding businesses. He recommended that the church council find and concentrate on an area that would give the greatest access to potential growth. On May 2, 1979, the church council determined that area to be just north of Orange Park in the proximity of Interstate 295.[10]

The Land Search Committee went back to work and decided that a site near the entrance of the developing Argyle subdivision would be most desirable. This was submitted to the congregation on May 24 with the District Mission Board’s recommendation of three sites within Argyle. The congregation gave its approval to these three sites and submitted them to the Synod for purchase.[11] In June the General Board for Home Missions made an offer on a two acre piece of property located on Argyle Forest Boulevard, about a half-mile west of Blanding Boulevard. In October, Good Shepherd congregation finally purchased their current site for $30,000.[12]

A First Building: Constructing the Worship-Education-Fellowship (WEF) Facility

Plans began almost immediately to construct a building on the recently purchased land. A Building Committee was formed with Ted Gamble serving as chairman, and on December 30, 1979, the congregation resolved to hire J. Douglas Snead as the architect to design a worship-education-fellowship (WEF) facility for the first phase of the congregation’s building program.

But even before the building project got off the ground, the congregation would put their new land to use. On April 6, 1980, an outdoor Easter sunrise service was held on the new property with 63 people in attendance. This was the first service ever conducted on the property.

In June 1980 the General Board for Home Missions granted Good Shepherd $99,100 toward the construction of a new WEF facility. These monies were loaned by the Synod’s Church Extension Fund (CEF). After the blueprints were completed and approved, bids were received. On September 4, 1980, the Building Committee opened the bids from five contractors. Cuartero Homes, Inc. was chosen as the general contractor and Express Electric, Inc. as the electrical contractor.

A day before construction began, a groundbreaking service was held on Sunday, September 28, 1980, with several members and dignitaries participating. It was reported to be a “huge success due to the grace of our God and the support of all of you, our members. … Over 120 people attended that service.” The next day construction began. Gamble remarked, “I hope you are able to drive by our property from time to time to observe the progress that is being made. The land has been cleared. Only three trees of any size were taken down. In fact, to save two rather large trees, our builder and architect moved our building two feet from the original planned location.”[13]

The congregation hoped to be able to use the building for Christmas Eve 1980, but delays made it uncertain. In the December 1980 church newsletter Gamble plainly stated, “We still don’t know if we will be in our new building for Christmas. The progress on a day to day basis has slowed down some. … Mr. Cuartero’s contract deadline is actually January 7. To be in by Christmas would mean he would be finishing two full weeks ahead of schedule. He said he will try his best.”[14]

The contractor did his best, and by December 24 the new building was ready to be used, although construction was not yet entirely complete. On that Christmas Eve afternoon, all church possessions were moved from Little Friends’ Nursery to 6551 Argyle Forest Boulevard. That evening more than 100 people attended the Christmas Eve service, the first service in the new building. Still Gamble reported, “At year’s end a great deal of work remains to be finished by the contractor and congregation, but the work is of such a nature that it would not hinder our use of the building.”[15]

During the spring of 1981, there were a number of work days during which the members of Good Shepherd readied the church building for a dedication service. On May 31, 1981, Pastor Raymond Wiechmann, the President of the South Atlantic District, preached the dedication sermon. More than 150 people attended the service and the fellowship dinner that followed.

One addition that came in early 1982 was a carillon system, which electronically played bells and chimes. It was given to the congregation by the developers of the Villages of Argyle, a company named Gulfstream and Development. The developers were hopeful that the carillon system would give the Argyle development a community feel and, in a way, make Good Shepherd the community church.

A House for the Lord: Constructing the Sanctuary

Having established a permanent home in the Argyle Forest neighborhood, Good Shepherd continued to grow during the early 1980s. In fact the congregation was growing so quickly that soon the WEF unit was not able to supply the multiple needs of the burgeoning assembly. The need for a separate worship facility was quickly becoming evident.

At the February 1982 church council meeting, the Building Committee was “authorized to begin planning for the future construction of a chapel and to present a resolution to this effect at the April congregational meeting.”[16] Instead of waiting until April, however, a special meeting was called for March 21, 1982. At this “very special meeting … the voters passed a resolution to request planning funds from the District Mission Board. … Upon their approval we will then be able to secure the services of an architect who will submit preliminary plans and building cost estimates to us.”[17] By May the Building Committee chairman, Wip Racine, would report to the congregation, “We have had our first meeting with our architect, Doug Snead. He proposed a very interesting concept for our chapel which would make future expansion very easy and inexpensive, yet provide us with a nice worship area to meet our present needs. He will be developing this concept and preparing some preliminary drawings for us. Hopefully, by the end of June we will have some artists’ conceptions for you to consider.”[18] Immediately a building expansion fund was launched, and the goal of raising $8,000 by December 1982 was established.

The money did not stream in, however. By the end of August only $1,750 had been raised, leaving more than $6,000 to be raised in four months. Several ideas were proposed and implemented to increase the fund. It was reported that the council had resolved to transfer any leftover monies from the general fund to the building fund at the end of each calendar month, after all other expenses had been met for the month.[19] When the building fund accumulated only $3,500 by mid-October, the church council considered the idea of member loans. “This means asking members who are willing and able to loan the congregation money toward the down payment on a short term basis.”[20] By the end of October the fund reached $4,500, a total that reflected “only the gifts we have received so far” and not any member loans. By December gifts to the fund had reached $6,700, enough for the church council to feel comfortable moving ahead with the project in 1983.

On Tuesday, February 8, 1983, members of the Building Committee, District Mission Counselor Marvin Radtke and architect Doug Snead met to open bids for the new chapel. Of the six general contractors bidding, Sherburne Construction Company was the lowest bidder at $90,300. Still this bid was nearly $8,500 more than what the Synod was allowing in its loan allocation. In negotiating with Mr. Sherburne the congregation was able to reduce his bid to $80,458 by removing the paved parking lot and providing an alternative to a performance bond. This way the congregation was able to leave the construction and appearance of the chapel in accordance with their specifications. Sherburne began construction on March 8 and agreed to finish within 90 days.[21]

A special Groundbreaking Service took place on March 6. Pastor Schuppe wrote that the service “was a tremendous success thanks to the Lord, his control of the weather, and everyone who attended and assisted with the service and the desert brunch that followed.” He also reported: “As the construction looks now, next week – March 14-18 – the footings will be poured and the solid block wall closest to the WEF will begin to be erected. The following week – March 21-25 – the concrete slab for the whole building should be poured. Construction is proceeding very well thanks to the grace and guidance of the Lord.”[22]

Construction did not go as smoothly as anticipated, however. In the April 1983 Flock Talk Building Committee chairman Wip Racine reported that work was “about a week behind schedule due to rain … We also lost a few days when a section of the masonry wall was toppled due to high winds. We thank God that this happened during the noon hour when the workers were on lunch break so that no one was injured. We lost around 200 blocks and some scaffolding was destroyed.” Racine also reported that the congregation had requested an additional $8,000 from the Synod for the construction of a “dry pond” required by the city.[23] In May 1983 the chairman informed the congregation that the HVAC system needed to be redesigned, which delayed construction a number of weeks. Still the committee hoped that the congregation would be able to use the sanctuary for the first time on the first or second Sunday in July.[24]

But delays persisted. The HVAC units that were installed required a different size electrical service than the sanctuary had.[25] Finally, the architect employed a mechanical engineering firm that studied the problems and made recommendations. Once a solution was agreed upon, the availability of parts became a great concern. As a result of these complications, the dedication of the sanctuary was moved from August 14 to September 11 and then again to September 25.[26]

Even though there were obstacles to overcome, an undercurrent of joy persevered. On Sunday, June 19, 1983, the congregation participated in laying the sanctuary’s cornerstone. Vicar Jon Tesch read aloud the list of contents to be placed in the time capsule. Several members took part by tightening the rosettes on each corner. Finally on September 4, 1983, the congregation gathered for the first time to worship in its new sanctuary. Pastor Schuppe remarked that it “had to be one of greatest moments of my life. It was not a sense of accomplishment because of what I thought I had done. It was the joy that I saw in all of your faces. It was the excitement of your voices as you sang the hymns and spoke the liturgy.”[27] On September 25, the congregation gathered for a special dedication service. In an introductory message prepared for the service folder that day Pastor Schuppe wrote, “We pray that (this building) may always be a place where God’s Word is taught and the Sacraments are administered in their truth and purity. A place where the sinner can find forgiveness. A place where the grateful can give thanks. A place where the brokenhearted can find comfort. A place where fellow Christians can join to raise their hearts and voices to praise our gracious God and Lord.”

Fulfilling a Mission: The Gospel Ministry Grows

When the task of construction came to an end in 1983, it was time to concentrate entirely on the task of building up believers and gaining souls for God’s kingdom. This, of course, was not done with bricks and mortar but with a regular use of the gospel in Word and Sacrament.

Still, as with any congregation, it was not always smooth sailing. Budget problems particularly racked the congregation in 1985, as a mounting debt gave rise to concerns. The church leadership implored the members to reconsider their stewardship of the gifts that God had granted, but nagging financial concerns persisted. Still, it was not all bad news, as the May 1985 Flock Talk reported: “In about all other areas of congregational life things are really ‘looking good.’ … Attendance and involvement of our members continues to increase.”

One important step that the congregation took toward keeping the ministry of the gospel as their primary focus was the adoption of a congregational mission statement in 1987. While it had always been the case, now the congregation’s purpose was set down in writing: “Helping everyone to grow in faith and love through Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd.” With those words the members of Good Shepherd were placing the promises of God squarely at the center of the congregation’s faith and life, just as Jesus reminds us: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Already before 1987 continued growth in God’s Word had become a priority. In 1982 the congregation began offering Bible history classes to the fifth and sixth graders to help prepare them for their confirmation instruction. In 1985 a midweek Bible study on Wednesday morning was introduced in addition to the one already held on Sunday morning. Ministry to the sick and shut-ins of the congregation expanded with the tape ministry, enabling those members to hear the Sunday service from their homes and hospital beds. The Pioneer program was revitalized in 1984 to provide Christian camaraderie for the children of the congregation.

One other group that was extremely active during this time was the young people, also known as the Christeens, under the direction of Mark Vance, Terri (Schreier) Thompson, and Lynn (Chappell) Dux. They gathered for Bible study on Sunday mornings and had fellowship activities. Occasionally they even planned special outings with other WELS youth. There were also opportunities to serve within the congregation: serving at Easter breakfast, hosting a “Parents’ Day Out” and decorating the Christmas tree.

Of course, worship was a priority as well. Communion rails were added and used for the first time on December 4, 1983. In an effort to make the worship of the congregation more edifying, paraments and banners were made for the sanctuary by several ladies within the congregation. New stoles to match were also purchased for Pastor Schuppe. As new items were made and purchased, they were carefully explained in the church newsletter to help people understand their significance. Other efforts were made to finish off the sanctuary interior in 1986 and 1987 including carpeting, church pews and communion kneeling pads. On December 14, 1986, the congregation held an open house, inviting the community to see their finished sanctuary and learn more about Good Shepherd’s mission and ministry. On January 8, 1989, the congregation began having two services on Sunday “not due to overcrowding, but rather to give more people the opportunity to come and worship and to give the congregation the opportunity to minister to even more people.”[28]

Efforts were also made to maintain and improve the exterior of the church buildings and grounds in an attractive manner. In 1984 the playground became a reality, being upgraded from time to time since then. Care was given to landscaping, including the planting of trees in memory of deceased members. A wooded area was also cleared to provide additional parking space.

During these years the congregation continued to watch its membership grow. Between 1978 and 1986, membership grew from 84 to 301, communicant membership from 46 to 173. In light of such growth, the leaders of the congregation continued to set further goals for Good Shepherd. These goals included the continued use of law and gospel to strengthen the members in their Christian faith and life, an aggressive outreach program into the community to share the gospel with others, and a desired expansion of the building facilities and parking lot.

Fulfilling those types of goals takes time, energy and manpower. During the second half of the 1980s, several undergraduate vicars helped in Good Shepherd’s work toward fulfilling her goals. Three vicars served the congregation for several weeks during the summer months of 1985 (Paul Prange), 1987 (Dennis Reardin), and 1988 (Lon Kuether). Then, during the 1988-89 school year, Good Shepherd received one of the Synod’s first full-time vicars to serve in a mission setting, Dan Reich. Vicar Reich’s ministry among the congregation became a double blessing and necessity when Pastor Schuppe experienced some serious health problems during the year, leaving him unable to fulfill many of his pastoral duties. Vicar Reich filled in admirably during that difficult period for the congregation.

A Time for Reflection: Anniversaries Bring the Winds of Change

On Sunday, May 8, 1988, the congregation gathered for a special tenth anniversary service to thank God for his care and abiding presence through Word and Sacrament during the previous ten years. Pastor Schuppe preached the anniversary sermon, based on Jesus’ words from John 15:9-17. Following the service a picnic-style potluck was held outdoors. Pastor Schuppe was presented with a mantle clock in appreciation for his service to the congregation from its inception.

Already on January 10, 1988, there had been an anniversary service commemorating the first service held at Little Friends’ Nursery. In addition, the congregation had celebrated Pastor Schuppe’s ten-year anniversary in the public ministry with a special service on July 12, 1987.

But Pastor Schuppe’s service to the saints at Good Shepherd was drawing to a close. Since January 1984 he had started receiving calls to other congregations within the Synod. The congregation was always relieved when Pastor Schuppe returned those numerous calls and remained at Good Shepherd. Finally though, in October 1990, Pastor Schuppe announced that he had accepted a Call to serve Sola Fide Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Good Shepherd would be without a pastor for the first time in her existence on October 29, 1990. Already on October 21 a resolution was adopted by the congregation recognizing the need for maintaining continuity in the day-to-day operation of church business. As a result it was decided that the elected officers of the church council should serve until the pastoral vacancy was filled. Congregational President Pete Lieske wrote, “Yes, there are some inevitable changes that will need to be made during the vacancy here at Good Shepherd.” Among those changes was the decision to revert back to only one Sunday service. Still, the president assured the congregation that there would be “many things at Good Shepherd that will not change because our lay leaders and volunteers have been trained and are willing to carry on our ministry to our members and to our community.”[29]

The calling process for a new pastor began immediately under the guidance and supervision of South Atlantic District President John Guse of Marietta, Georgia. For the next ten months Pastor Guse supplied the congregation with names of potential candidates to fill the vacancy at Good Shepherd. Eight calls were issued between October 1990 and June 1991, but those men were all led by the Holy Spirit to return their calls to Good Shepherd. During the vacancy, Pastor Brian Adams of Keystone Heights served the congregation as vacancy pastor.

One last remnant of the Schuppe era was the new education building constructed in the fall of 1990. Recognizing that the church’s facilities were being rapidly outgrown because of increased membership and activities, the congregation decided to construct a garage-type building behind the sanctuary. This building would provide a reasonable amount of expansion space and later be finished with interior walls and other internal features to serve as Sunday School classrooms and storage space. The building was constructed almost in its entirety by volunteer labor from the congregation under the supervision of Roger Day and Ed Koren. Many members worked several Saturdays in an impressive team effort to erect the building. When the building was completed the members of the congregation invited Pastor Schuppe back to conduct a special dedication service on May 26, 1991. Still, the flock at Good Shepherd was without a full-time shepherd.

New Things All Around: Good Shepherd Goes Through Changes

Finally, at a meeting on July 20, 1991, the congregation extended a Divine Call to Pastor Richard F. Hennig. The congregation rejoiced when he accepted the Call and was installed as the second pastor in Good Shepherd’s history on Sunday, October 6, 1991. Pastor Brian Adams served as the installing pastor. Pastor Lynn Wiedmann of Gainesville preached at the special service. Before accepting the Call to Good Shepherd, Pastor Hennig served congregations in Columbus, Wisconsin; El Paso, Texas; and Williamson, Michigan. His most recent service had been rendered as the administrator of Martin Luther Memorial Home in South Haven, Michigan.

Not only did the congregation get a new pastor at this time, they also got a new parsonage. During Pastor Schuppe’s time at Good Shepherd, the congregation rented a home in Orange Park to serve as the parsonage. Already in 1984 the congregation had pursued the idea of building a parsonage of its own, but nothing was undertaken at that time. When Pastor Schuppe accepted his Call to Georgia, the congregation was interested in making some repairs and improvements to the rented parsonage for the new pastor. When the landlord suggested that the congregation would have to bear much of the costs for those items, the church council started looking in other directions. By April 1991 the congregation had resolved to look into the possibility of building a new parsonage, and a parsonage committee, chaired by George Sitgreaves, was appointed. At a special congregational meeting on June 23, the congregation authorized the committee “to spec out a parsonage and report back to the congregation at the July quarterly meeting.”[30] At that July meeting, the congregation approved the construction plans and resolved to have Rosewood Homes build the new parsonage in the Deerfield Pointe subdivision, located in Orange Park about five miles southwest of the church. The work was finished by the end of the September, ready for the new pastor and his family to occupy.

With almost any new pastor comes new interest in the work of the congregation. In April 1992 a survey was taken within the congregation by the Stewardship Committee “concerning various matters that pertain to church life at Good Shepherd. The various boards were approached to solicit areas where they felt they would benefit from congregational input.”[31] Three areas in particular were addressed: worship, education and building and grounds. By June the results were in, and Chairman Gordon Schreier reported his committee’s findings in the Flock Talk that month. Worship concerns centered around the liturgies and hymns of worship and the new WELS hymnal which would be published in 1993. Comments about education at Good Shepherd suggested that members were interested in more “family-focus fellowship activities.” As far as the physical plant went, members thought that consideration should be given to “expanding and improving the parking lot, the kitchen-serving area, the offices in the fellowship hall, as well as constructing a new church sign.”[32]

In terms of synodical happenings, 1993 was a watershed year. At the Synod Convention that August, the WELS decided to amalgamate its pastor-training college (Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin) with its teacher-training college (Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota). These two colleges would be combined to form Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, in the fall of 1995. In addition, one of the three preparatory schools would be closed (Martin Luther Prep School in Prairie du Chein, Wisconsin) and amalgamated with Northwestern Prep School to form Luther Prep School in Watertown.

In addition to the school closings, that same WELS convention saw the advent of Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal, the new/revised hymnal prepared by the Synod’s Commission on Worship. It had been ten years in the making and field-tested on a widespread basis. Still, some were not ready or willing to make the change from the familiar Lutheran Hymnal of 1941. There were new services and hymns to learn. Some of the old familiar phrases had been updated to reflect changes in the English language of the past fifty years. But, along with more than ninety percent of WELS congregations, Good Shepherd adopted Christian Worship as its new hymnal and began a fund drive to purchase 200 copies for congregational use. Although the transition wasn’t always an easy one, in time the congregation began to learn the new services and take advantage of the new hymns, while still enjoying a taste of the old.

Another change came in November 1995 when Pastor Hennig’s pastoral responsibilities doubled. Pastor Dean Zemple of Our Savior Lutheran Church across town had followed a Divine Call to Wisconsin, and the congregation was facing serious financial problems. In the Flock Talk Hennig wrote: “Our District Mission Board has approached me to serve as interim pastor. I chose that term rather than vacancy pastor since it is my understanding that a replacement pastor will not be called at this time. It is my understanding as well that manpower will be requested from the assignment committee in May … for exploratory work that will be targeted more toward the Duval/St. John’s county line.”[33] On January 31, 1996, ministry at Our Savior was discontinued, and several families transferred their membership to Good Shepherd. Still, in October of that same year Hennig reported: “The South Atlantic District Mission Board is making a request again … for manpower and the authority to begin exploratory work in the area located in or near [the] Hodges/J. Turner Butler Blvd. area. They are requesting two workers, one pastoral and one lay evangelist to explore the defined area. … We certainly wish them well in their efforts.”[34] In the meantime, Jacksonville would have only one WELS congregation.

Growing Pains: Good Shepherd’s Financial Woes

During the mid-1990s Good Shepherd faced problems of its own. Chief among them were nagging budget deficits and late mortgage payments. 1992 Stewardship Chairman Gordon Schreier stated: “We have some very pressing congregational needs to be addressed in conjunction with our plans and aspirations. Our Church Extension Fund loan is three months in arrears, and the church roof requires $1500.00 in improvement and repairs. At one time in our holy history God sustained His people with manna and quail. today He does so by ‘daily bread,’ a portion of which, our of love for Him, we return to Him.”[35]

Unfortunately the financial difficulties got worse before they got better. By the end of 1992, “the congregation had succeeded in reducing the number of mortgage payments that were overdue to only one.” While “congratulations” were in order, the stewardship committee also feared “that this repeats Good Shepherd’s performances of the past in which an emergency develops, the people respond, it is successfully resolved, only to lapse back into the attitude that caused the problem.”[36]

In the midst of these tribulations, however, the congregation took time to celebrate the Lord’s blessings. On Sunday, May 16, 1993 Good Shepherd celebrated its fifteenth year of gospel ministry under God’s grace with the theme: Celebrate 15. The day opened with family Bible study, which then recessed for fellowship with past and present members. That morning’s worship featured Pastor Ed Schuppe serving as the guest preacher. The church choir and Sunday School children provided special music for the service. Holy Communion was celebrated. After worship, a “family style dinner was served … to about 135 guests. Following the dinner, Pastor Schuppe conducted a short period of reflection through the presentation of slides and videos. Cake and ice cream culminated the events.”[37]

Further financial problems were awaiting the congregation as the anniversary celebration came to an end. In November 1993 Budget Committee Chairman Al Clausen and Congregational President Dave Howe addressed the congregation by letter: “Realizing that Good Shepherd is undergoing continued financial problems the budget committee and your council members have attempted to cut the 1994 budget as close to the bone as possible. A number of items have been reduced, and some have even been eliminated.”[38] In December 1994 the Flock Talk reported the formation of a Debt Reduction Committee to “address an approaching balloon payment with WELS Church Extension Fund.” The term of the Church Extension Fund (CEF) loan was scheduled to expire in 2000, and the status of the loan was a debt of approximately $252,000. CEF estimated that the balloon payment would be approximately $155,500, if timely payments were made through 2000.[39] In 1994 alone only eight of twelve mortgage payments were able to be made.[40]

Finally, in January 1996 Pastor Hennig addressed the congregation in the Flock Talk. “Four years ago, I was told by a discouraged, frustrated person [to] give Good Shepherd one year and we would have to close our doors. What appeared to this person as a hopeless quest for survival has proved to be another of God’s wonderful success stories. I told that person then and I will say it again, ‘That will not happen!’ To the contrary, God continues to rule in the hearts of His people by faith.” The pastor had reason for such optimism and was happy to report “an outpouring of generous offerings which for the first time in many years finds us ending the year having caught up all delinquent mortgage payments and having one-half payment made in advance. In like manner all current fiscal responsibilities have been met. To God alone be the glory.”[41]

In April 1996 the congregation resolved to further rectify the problem by making “application to the Aid Association for Lutherans [AAL] to refinance the current church/parsonage debt which currently stands [at] approximately $230,000.”[42] The December 1996 Flock Talk reported: “We are pleased to announce that the Aid Association for Lutherans has approved our application for refinancing our current church indebtedness.”[43] On December 8 the congregation resolved to proceed with the AAL financing, and in March 1997 a fifteen year mortgage with AAL was completed. While this was good news, the congregation’s general fund still showed a deficit of $4,600 that month.

Then in August 1997 Pastor Hennig received a Divine Call to serve as the administrator of Calvary Academy in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After careful and prayerful deliberation, he announced on August 31 that he had been led to accept the Call. He addressed the members, “Let me assure you, this decision has been a most difficult one for me and for my family. … By God’s grace I would like to preach my final sermon and conduct the last service Sunday, October 5, thus bringing to a conclusion 6 joy-filled years of service to you. I only pray that you enjoyed them as I have.”[44]

During the vacancy the congregation was served by two retired men: Pastors Wernor Wagner and Reginald Pope. After their service ended in early 1998, Pastor Lynn Wiedmann served the vacancy from Gainesville. Several Calls were issued in late 1997 and early 1998, but these men were led to return those Calls.

New Work and New Workers in Jacksonville: The Gospel Ministry Flourishes

In the spring of 1998, the congregation decided that they would ask the Synod’s Assignment Committee to assign a Seminary graduate to Good Shepherd. Their request was filled and their prayers were answered when the Holy Spirit called Candidate Peter M. Prange to serve as Good Shepherd’s third pastor on May 18, 1998. On July 26 Pastor Prange was ordained and installed.  His father, Pastor Victor Prange, preached at the special afternoon service. Pastor Wiedmann served as presiding minister. Afterwards the congregation was treated to a catered buffet in the fellowship hall.

One “blessing” that came from not having a full-time pastor for several months was an improved financial status. In the July 1998 Flock Talk Treasurer Jim McCawley reported that the congregation’s general fund stood at nearly $8,600. He commented, “Our church has enjoyed a period of reduced spending due to the absence of a pastor. I believe that we can all be joyful that we now have a pastor, also that our congregation did not reduce the participation in the activities and contributions during the past few months.”[45]

One of the first projects undertaken once Pastor Prange arrived was the purchase of new stoles, paraments and banners for the sanctuary. Over the next two years these items were all purchased with monies from the Shirley Zelenak Memorial Fund since Shirley had spent so many years leading the efforts of the altar guild. The purchased banners were supplemented by lovely cross-stitched banner made by June Hanvey, Twila Nichols, and Pat Redmond for the different seasons of the church year. A novelty was introduced to the congregation’s worship when a processional/paschal candlestick was purchased in late 1999 to be used in processions and the celebration of Easter and Holy Baptism. Another important change took place in the sanctuary in late 1998 when the altar was moved away from the wall to become freestanding, the baptismal font was placed in the center aisle leading to chancel, and the large pulpit was removed to allow for more space in the chancel area. What had previously been the lectern now served as both lectern and pulpit. One final addition that was made to worship at this time was a new sound system and digital keyboard with MIDI capabilities, allowing the congregation to worship without an organist.

Other projects were initiated and completed in an effort to enhance the community’s perception of the congregation and to maintain the church’s property. A new, lighted church sign was installed just prior to Pastor Prange’s arrival. A new sprinkler system was installed at the parsonage in March 1999. Vinyl siding was installed on the parsonage in the fall of 2001, and a new air conditioning unit was installed in January 2002. The church grounds were cleaned up of large debris that had accumulated over the years. The education building and the sacristry were cleaned out and reorganized.

Most importantly, however, having a full-time pastor again provided new opportunities for spiritual growth though worship and Bible study. New Bible Information Classes were attended by prospective members and current members alike. In less than three years, Pastor Prange took more than 40 people through Bible Information Classes for the purpose of becoming members. Soon a Monday morning Bible study and a weeknight Bible study were started in addition to the Sunday morning study, and the percentage of communicants involved in weekly Bible study began to grow through the working of the Holy Spirit.

One other blessing that Good Shepherd received in 1998 was the arrival in Jacksonville of Pastor Phil Hoyer and Staff Minister Brent Bitter. Pastor Hoyer and Mr. Bitter had been called by the South Atlantic District Mission Board to begin an exploratory mission near the Beaches. Ironically it was being called “Team Ministry,” in many ways the same concept that had been attempted in Jacksonville back in the late 1970s. These men were installed as the public ministers of Victory Lutheran Church at a special service in August 1998 at Good Shepherd. While Good Shepherd lost some of its membership to this new mission due to proximity, our members were encouraged to view Victory as an extension of Good Shepherd’s mission to help everyone grow in faith and love through Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. Soon Victory was serving people living near the Beaches with the gospel that Good Shepherd had been unable to reach, and souls were being won for Christ to the glory of God. The gospel ministry was flourishing.

Expanding the Gospel Ministry: Precious Lambs Preschool

On October 24, 1998, the members of the congregation were invited to participate in a congregational planning session. Pastor Prange addressed the congregation in the October 1998 Flock Talk: “As a congregation, it’s important to do some planning. In order to do that, we need to establish where we are and where we’d like to go. This planning session will allow us to dream a little bit and to set some goals.”[46] More than fifty people attended to consider the future of gospel ministry at Good Shepherd. One of the most important discussions revolved around the possibility of beginning a preschool. The November 1998 Flock Talk reported: “There was much support for the idea of an Early Childhood Center at Good Shepherd. This would be a staffed educational center for children both of the congregation and community, roughly between the ages of 3 and 5.”[47] At their November meeting, the congregation voted to appoint a committee to study the feasibility of starting such a preschool. Cliff Douglas was asked to serve as the committee chairman.

On March 14, 1999, the committee made its first report at a congregational meeting. Based upon their favorable report “the congregation voted to proceed with plans for an Early Childhood Center. … The congregation voted to shoot for September 1999 as a starting date for the preschool. However,” it was stated, “we must remember that September is only a target date.”[48] The feasibility study committee was asked to serve as the preschool implementation committee as well.

As it turned out, a September starting date was a bit too ambitious, especially as the committee members found themselves wading through the governmental red tape of Duval County. In addition, time was needed to thoroughly renovate the fellowship hall and convert the pastor’s and secretary’s offices into a new kitchen area which had been long-desired. Work on those two projects was completed in November 1999, funded in large part by an insurance settlement when our carillon system was struck by lightning in the spring of 1999.

In September another momentous step was taken when the congregation extended a one-year provisional Call to Mrs. Rebecca Habeck, a member of Good Shepherd, to serve as the preschool’s first teacher-director. Beginning in January 2000, Rebecca would serve in that capacity faithfully and diligently for a year and a half, overseeing the preschool as it got off the ground.  Finally, in February 2000, Precious Lambs Preschool opened its doors with two students. As with most new endeavors, the preschool did not enjoy immediate smooth sailing. Thankfully, generous offerings from the congregation enabled the preschool to establish firm footings without undue financial concerns. The enrollment grew slowly but surely in 2000 and early 2001, and the good news of Jesus was taught to the little children and their families.

In late 2000 the congregation began to make further plans for the future of the preschool. A big part of that plan was set in motion when the Holy Spirit led Good Shepherd to call Mrs. Deb Spittel as the preschool teacher-director at their December 2000 congregational meeting. Ms. Deb, a 1991 graduate of Dr. Martin Lutheran College, accepted the Call in January and was installed on Sunday, June 3, 2001, during the morning service. A potluck following worship further celebrated her arrival. On Monday, June 11, Ms. Deb took up her new responsibilities in the preschool.

Over time the enrollment of the preschool ebbed and flowed. But beginning in the fall of 2002 a steadier enrollment began to be realized. Most importantly, the preschool continued to open numerous doors into the community. Parents entrusted their children to the preschool, giving us an opportunity to share our Savior with these children and their families. As a result of this important arm of gospel ministry, many people have come to know their Savior better, all to the glory of God!

Building For a Future of Gospel Ministry: Looking to Grow

As Good Shepherd Lutheran Church embarks, Lord willing, on its next twenty-five years, the congregation has set its sights on building for a future of gospel ministry. Instrumental to those plans is a building addition to the fellowship hall, which would increase the fellowship area by about fifty percent, add two classrooms and additional restroom facilities. The hope and prayer is to have a dedicated space for fellowship and the preschool with some additional room for a possible Lutheran elementary school in the not-too-distant future. A building fund has been established and is growing on a weekly basis.

The congregation also envisions the renovation and expansion of the chapel. The plans call for a narthex, church offices and storage space to be added. The interior of the chapel itself will also receive a makeover. We pray that the Lord will grant us the financial resources to complete this project before our fiftieth anniversary! J

Time will tell what plans the Lord of the Church has for us. Despite what the future holds, our congregational mission remains the same: to help everyone grow in faith and love through Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. We simply pray that the Lord will bless us in our efforts to fulfill this mission to the glory of his name. Only the Lord knows our future.

Of one thing we are certain, though, as we look forward to the future: our Savior’s ever-abiding love, help and guidance. Over the past twenty-five years the road Good Shepherd has traveled has not always been smooth. It has been filled with potholes and loose gravel. There have been numerous obstacles to overcome. There have been births and baptisms, confirmations and weddings, deaths and funerals. There have been times of plenty and times of need. We’ve shared heartache and tears, joy and laughter. We’ve striven for common goals, and sometimes been separated by stubborn pride. If the work and success of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church had depended on its members, we wouldn’t be celebrating twenty-five years of blessing.

But Jesus has led us to this place, as we peer out over the Promised Land of heaven from the wilderness of this world. He has been our Rock in the desert of this world of sin, confusion and death. He has been our ever-present help in trouble. He has been our Living Water, our Bread from Heaven, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He has been our Good Shepherd, our Savior. To us he has entrusted his Word that we might entrust it to others. To us he has given the washing of regeneration that we might go and make disciples of all nations. To us he has given the bread and the wine, his body and blood, that we might proclaim his death until he comes again. To us he has given – yes, guaranteed – forgiveness, salvation, eternal life. We have deserved none of it. As Martin Luther wrote on his deathbed: “We are beggars; this is true.” Jesus has indeed been gracious to us.

That’s been true for the past twenty-five years, and it will be true for the next twenty-five years and beyond, regardless of what happens. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). With this in mind, we trust that our future is forever secure.