Current Wisdom Council News:
The Salt House Wisdom Council is currently working to gather information about the current culture of our church as it’s understood by our people. If you would like to offer your thoughts about our culture, we invite you to prayerfully and thoughtfully complete this nine-question survey: https://www.salthousechurch.org/survey
The Salt House Wisdom Council is currently working to gather information about the current culture of our church as it’s understood by our people. If you would like to offer your thoughts about our culture, we invite you to prayerfully and thoughtfully complete this nine-question survey: https://www.salthousechurch.org/survey
How and Why We Came to Be
During this time of pastoral transition at Salt House following the exit of one of our two pastors in June 2025, the Salt House Council recommended the formation of a Discernment Team to help listen, pray, reflect, and suggest next steps for our church.
Our Name and Initial Steps
In October 2025, the Discernment Team gathered for the first time and began our shared work. The name “Wisdom Council” arose from a discernment practice we were doing together, and we thought in keeping with the good humor and creativity in the way we name groups at Salt House (for example, Queer AF, Sage, Y@SH, Spark, etc.), we would embrace this fun and thoughtful way to describe who we are.
In our work, wisdom is attained through reflection, listening, community input, and spiritual practices. Our goal is to discern the right next steps for our church in fulfilling our mission: to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love, and joins God’s movement of healing, justice and hope for the world.
In our work, wisdom is attained through reflection, listening, community input, and spiritual practices. Our goal is to discern the right next steps for our church in fulfilling our mission: to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love, and joins God’s movement of healing, justice and hope for the world.
Who is on the Wisdom Council?
The Wisdom Council is made up of staff, church council members and members of our Salt House community who represent different areas of ministry, stages of life, and experiences with our congregation. This group was selected by our Salt House Council.
Pastor Sara Wolbrecht, co-chair
Dave Dowling, co-chair
Greg Fenich
Alisa Prinos
Anne Anderson
Kimberly Janous
Mark Templin
Annemarie Russell
Our work together is led by Angie Wolle, a pastor, coach and executive leader who supports churches in their discernment and transitions. You can learn more about Angie at her website, Wolle Coaching and Consulting.
Pastor Sara Wolbrecht, co-chair
Dave Dowling, co-chair
Greg Fenich
Alisa Prinos
Anne Anderson
Kimberly Janous
Mark Templin
Annemarie Russell
Our work together is led by Angie Wolle, a pastor, coach and executive leader who supports churches in their discernment and transitions. You can learn more about Angie at her website, Wolle Coaching and Consulting.
Timeline
Timeline
Here is the high-level timeline that is guiding our work together:
Here is the high-level timeline that is guiding our work together:
| Timing | Process Step | Purpose /Outcome |
| November 1 | Launch | Begin forming the Wisdom Council container Describe work |
| November 17 | Foundation Building | Formation: Build Discernment Muscles Begin to Frame Current Culture |
| December 6 | Foundation Building | Decide on Discernment Question Agree upon Information Gathering Approach and Questions for Current Culture |
| December 6 – January 23 | Gather Information on Current Culture | Interview individuals in categories (staff, newcomers, longtime members/ elders) |
| January 23-30 | Analyze /Frame Current Culture | Done by Angie + Wisdom Council Dyad |
| January 31 | Discernment: Session 1 | Begin Sifting through Current Culture Explore what is emerging |
| Early to Mid Feb | Discernment: Session 2 | Imagining Possibility Articulating New Ways of Being |
| Mid Feb | Discernment: Session 3 | Exploring pathways |
| Early March | Discernment: Session 4 | Naming Impacts and Priorities Identifying Shifts |
| Late March | Present to Council | |
| April | Concrete Next Steps and Priorities (as led by Council and approved by the Congregation) | Addressing plans, timing and pacing for: Staffing/budget /Impacts (short term/longer term)/ Change Approach |
| Late April – End of Summer | Implement plan | Staffing, budget, impacts, approach |
| September | Evaluate | Assess impacts and adjust as needed |
Contacting the Wisdom Council
If you have questions or wonderings about the Salt House Wisdom Council, you are warmly invited to reach out to our co-chairs:
Pastor Sara Wolbrecht
Dave Dowling
If you have questions or wonderings about the Salt House Wisdom Council, you are warmly invited to reach out to our co-chairs:
Pastor Sara Wolbrecht
Dave Dowling