Sawyer Heth, held by his godfather, Jason Gantenbien, is baptized by Retzlaff. New Life’s baptismal font is made of a tripod of juniper trees native to Texas hill country and a bowl made by local potters.
“God had other plans for us,” Peterson said. “What we
found at New Life was the same grace in another setting. We all work together to care for our beautiful piece of land, and through monthly service projects, care for our community.” Retzlaff thinks worshiping communities like New Life
are a reflection of the larger changes happening in the church. Nontraditional churches also reflect a return to the basics, which she said resonates with people. “This idea of church in different spaces and different
ways is a return to diversity of the original church,” she said. “We got into a fairly narrow place of defining what church is and what church looks like, and when that stopped working for everyone, we’ve had to revisit being flexible and creative. I think it’s just more acknowledgment that church is a community and is where the Holy Spirit is.” Ruben Duran, ELCA director for new congregations,
said ministries like Chicken Coop Church, Misión Pan de la Vida and New Life offer important exploration for the church as it’s facing a difficult situation with decline over the past decade. “Churches like these are reconnecting with their
communities,” Duran said. “We’ve been doing ministry for years but now we need a laboratory where we can explore a little bit and see where we can best connect the church into the world again. “People aren’t coming directly to the church like they
used to, and these nontraditional churches are connecting first with people, building relationships, listening and then getting a sense for how we can build the churches of the future and reconnect with our communities.”
Megan Brandsrud is a content editor for Living Lutheran.
LIVINGLUTHERAN.ORG 19
Mary Miller (left) serves as assisting minister with Retzlaff. New Life’s main worship area is framed by three century-old oak trees.
New Life makes use of its 12 acres of land while inviting people to worship.
Photos: Jim Woodard
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