My name is Pastor Joe BW Smith, and as Interim Pastor at First Lutheran Community Church I come to church with the many of the same hopes that you do. I come to encounter God, build relationships, serve others and strengthen my faith. FLCC is a dynamic congregation--Spirit-led and resourced with gifted people with unique stories about their relationship with God.

A small portion of my story:

I was raised in Renton and Olympia and moved to the Midwest for higher education, theological training, and starting my family. My wife, Melaine (who serves in the Southwestern Washington Synod office), and I met at Luther Seminary and graduated together. We have two daughters--Kendall is 6 and Ashling is 2.

We moved to Federal Way in May, 2009. I have served as an interim pastor since 2001, working with 8 unique congregations in diverse contexts in South Dakota and Iowa. I find joy and a sense of God's call walking with congregations in their transitions between pastors, which leads to questions about context, resources and purpose. I look forward to working with FLCC in discerning your next season of ministry and welcoming your next Senior Pastor. You can check out my thoughts on this time of transition and other topics of ministry on my blog at www.youraveragepastor.blogspot.com --I look forward to your feedback!