I write the
following because Daleen never would. As a matter of fact, she
doesn’t know that I am writing this newsletter about her. It all started at a
recent leadership retreat for Thirdway Church, where I was struck by the
affirmation my wife was receiving for the role she has played over the past couple
of years. It was then that I knew I had to share what Daleen has been doing to
strengthen and extend the Body of Christ.
Thirdway Church began three years
ago after several families moved into the Hamline-Midway neighborhood of St.
Paul. The original vision for Thirdway centered around the University Avenue
Corridor, a 10-mile stretch that links the downtowns of St. Paul and
Minneapolis. University Avenue is built along the historic path that people
took to get from the docks of the Mississippi River in St. Paul to the flour
mills in Minneapolis. It has become one of the most diverse areas of the Twin
Cities.
I recently sat down with the
founding leader of Thirdway, Seth, to hear his thoughts on Daleen’s role and
impact. As we started talking, he immediately mentioned that, although Thirdway
had dreams and vision for the University Avenue Corridor, it had become stuck
in how to move forward as a church. He saw Daleen as a person who came
alongside him, and the community, to implement some foundational building
blocks for a strong missional community. He saw her contribution in the
following ways:
· Covenant groups – Thirdway is a covenanted community, which
means we have committed ourselves to pursuing God, one another and our
neighborhood in a very intentional way. Daleen was the driving force in
establishing covenant groups, where small groups of people gather to create
more sustainable rhythms of life together. It is also through these groups that
new people are assimilated into our community over a one-year process.
· Mentoring – Daleen has poured herself over the past two years into a group
of young women within Thirdway. She has also played a significant role helping
individuals, couples and groups navigate difficult life decisions. According to
Seth, she has become a motherly figure, who has brought care and stability that
has lowered the sense of anxiety within Thirdway.
· Creative space for spiritual formation – whether it be creative worship through
dance, helping others to understand how they connect deeply with God, or by
leading a Passover Seder meal, Daleen has brought a fresh perspective to
spiritual formation. From what I have seen, she has been the most intentional
force in helping members of Thirdway grow more deeply in their relationship
with God.
· Heart Team – for the past 15 months, Daleen has been one of four part-time
staff people at Thirdway. She gives leadership to the Heart Team, which
facilitates pastoral care, hospitality, and spiritual formation. When Thirdway
started seeking someone for this role, I recommended Daleen because I knew she
was a great fit for the job. As I have watched her lead this team, I realize
that I was spot on in my assessment.
Our team’s mission is to walk
alongside churches, leadership teams, and individuals, helping them to live out
their calling. These churches are missionally-minded, intentional about
creating sustainable rhythms of life together, and are embedded in local
neighborhoods that are often antagonistic towards church. They are filled with
young people in their 20’s and 30’s, and many times lack the financial and
human resources of larger churches. In light of this, I’m realizing how
invaluable it is to have people like Daleen on our team because I believe that
the greatest asset our team has to offer is our staff themselves.
