In the Field

Growing Without "Church Growth"

Featuring the Rev. Larry Nichols  
Pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 
Smithfield, R.I.

by Monica Robins

Being a late bloomer to Lutheranism," says the Rev. Larry Nichols of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Smithfield, R.I., "I have fallen in love with the confessional nature of our church body. Having experienced liberal theology coupled with high liturgy in my growing up years and then a non-liturgical fundamentalist-Pentecostalism in my teen years, I would characterize myself as one who clings on tenaciously to the historic and traditional liturgy of our church."

Pastor Nichols is married to Zelia Maria (nee DaPonte Coelho), who is a native of Portugal, and they have four daughters: Melissa (23), Charissa (19), Alicia (11), and Faythe (5). He earned a B.A. in History and Biblical Studies at Evangel University, Springfield, Mo., in 1982. He earned a Master of Divinity at Yale University, New Haven, Conn., in 1986; and then completed a colloquy program at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1987. He served a delayed vicarage at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Norwalk, Conn., and was then called to Our Redeemer in Smithfield, where he has served ever since.

"A joy for me is, having been here for 14 years, I am the only pastor that many of the young people of our congregation have ever known. Some that I have baptized I am now confirming. Some that I have confirmed, I am officiating at their wedding. And although there have not been many funerals in this young congregation, it is a joy to be by the bedside of a dying saint and in several instances, having them die in my arms while reading Psalm 23 or Romans 8."

This congregation's general worship attendance is close to 220 on a Sunday with two services. The congregation is only 14 years old—they started in January, 1988, as a mission congregation of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Providence, R.I. Those 29 people were all members of St. Paul's and they have been extremely supportive through the years. In fact, this past May, on the Day of Pentecost, they held a joint Missions Festival Sunday with St. Paul's and the Liberian members of their congregation served a Liberian Dinner following worship. Demographically, Rhode Island is a non-Lutheran state with only three LCMS churches. Nevertheless, Our Redeemer continues to receive new members each year. They use Lutheran Worship and aspects of Lutheran Book of Worship's liturgy in worship.

Although Our Redeemer does not currently have a school, plans are in the making for a pre-school/day care center. "I baptized 16 children in 2000, 17 in 2001, and the numbers may exceed that this year. The need for a school for all of these millennium babies is paramount and many of our families agree," says Pastor Nichols.

"Catechesis was a huge challenge when I began at Our Redeemer," relates Pastor Nichols. "I knew I wanted to do something different than simply hold a "Pastor's Doctrine" class, which was typically a meager six sessions. Through study, much reading, and attending national gatherings of like-minded pastors inspired by Professor Arthur Just, I was determined to begin a new method of Adult Catechesis. When a new person visits, they are assigned a sponsor, given a Rite of Welcome, and undergo Catechesis for 16 weeks. I have trained seven elders to be Catechists. After doing this for almost three years, we have received almost 100 new members, and I have baptized approximately ten adults. Most recently, a young Jewish woman converted to Christianity here at Our Redeemer, went through Adult Catechesis, and was baptized at the Easter Vigil. I sometimes jokingly remark that our congregation is 'growing without church growth,' meaning that we do not need clever gimmicks, enticing entertainment-style worship, marketing techniques, or Madison Avenue evangelism to witness the growth of the church. Faithful preaching of the Gospel, administering of the Sacraments, prayer, and visitation of the people of the congregation are the essential ingredients of a pastor's life that make for all the challenge I could hope to have in pastoral ministry."

Another large challenge that Pastor Nichols reports was moving the congregation from a twice-monthly Communion to communing each Sunday. He decided to devote the three months prior to Easter, 1994, to preaching, teaching, writing (newsletter articles) on this subject. He invited all who wanted to oppose the proposed practice to come to the studies and offer their voices. They did! "I approached this subject three ways: Biblically, historically, and practically. On that Easter Sunday, we began communing each Lord's Day and it has been this way ever since." One of those who opposed the practice at first later told Pastor Nichols that he really appreciated the Means of Grace being available each time the congregation comes together on Sundays.

Given the growth of Our Redeemer over the years, the congregation faced a building program. The transition from a rented hall to their own space brought with it many issues that had to be resolved. "I was especially concerned about the architecture of the sanctuary, believing that the concept of 'space' is important. Some members wanted to build a multi-use space and convert the sanctuary into an all-purpose hall. The congregation, through the Building Committee, however, voted to build a sanctuary space that would be used solely for worship and teaching."

On the subject of teaching, Our Redeemer has Adult Catechesis each Sunday morning between services. Additionally, on Thursday mornings Pastor Nichols leads a study for those who are able to come during the week, and there is a women's group that meets once a month in the evening. This study is led by his wife and one other woman in the group assisting. Along with these offerings, there are also Sunday school, youth group, and catechism classes.

One of Pastor Nichols' biggest challenges has been to find the appropriate balance between his family and the ministry. "In addition to the pastorate, I am serving at Rhode Island College as a Chaplain and teach several courses in Philosophy," comments Pastor Nichols. "I have also had the privilege of authoring four books and continue to write extensively." As a result, Pastor Nichols has learned the importance of his day off, because he knows how much he needs to be there for his family. "Pastoring a mission congregation from the ground up over the years has demanded much of my time in the evenings. I am out visiting, attending meetings, or working late in the office on Monday through Thursday evenings. Friday through Sunday evenings I stay home," states Pastor Nichols. Presently, he is planning to enter Boston University or the University of Durham (England) for doctorate work.

"My simple answer to a man who is contemplating entering the seminary is this: the mere fact that one is considering should be grounds enough to continue considering," says Pastor Nichols. When he learns that there is a man who is interested in learning more about seminary study and the Holy Ministry, he calls the seminary and asks the admission counselor to visit. "We have had two such sessions and we have sent one second career man to Fort Wayne for ordination, and this fall another will be entering. We have a third person considering the ministry as a possibility in his future." The rewards and joys of ministry are numerous, as is witnessed by Pastor Nichols and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

The Rev. Larry Nichols is Pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Smithfield, R.I.. He is married to Zelia Maria (nee DaPonte Coelho) and they have four daughters: Melissa (23), Charissa (19), Alicia (11), and Faythe (5).