The Connecting Grounds pastor to resign

Christie Love, known as an advocate for the homeless community, is resigning from her role as pastor of The Connecting Grounds.

Love announced in a public Facebook post yesterday that her resignation from the northwest Springfield church is effective Feb. 28. She cited undisclosed health issues and plans to finish her doctoral work on religious trauma.

"As our team at TCG prepares for this transition at the end of February, I want to thank the countless number of volunteers and supporters who have helped TCG to grow in so many ways since we launched," Love said in the Facebook post. "I continue to believe in this city and the ability for innovation, partnerships, ecumenical efforts and targeted stewardship to radically change the resources and systems that support the survival of so many."

Love launched The Connecting Grounds, a community-focused interdenominational church, in 2018 after previously founding and operating LeadHer, an international faith-based women’s leadership development organization, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. Love has been an honoree of SBJ's 40 Under 40 and Most Influential Women awards, and she was a guest on the third season of SBJ's No Ceiling podcast.

At The Connecting Grounds, 4341 W. Chestnut Expressway, Associate Pastor Rue Lohn is taking over the lead pastor role, according to Love's Facebook post. Love will continue to serve in an advisory capacity for The Connecting Grounds and support its community work.

"I want to emphasize that the outreach work of TCG will not change – the outreach center, street outreach, respite houses, medical outreach, transitional shelter, our Shelter SGF app and family connection will all continue to love out loud on our neighbors in need," she said. "I have full confidence in their ability, passion and purpose to lead TCG into a new season."

Love also hinted at her future work.

"I have some projects that I will be working on that will allow me to continue research, advocate for change in the church and share the experiences we have had at TCG on a wider scale," she said. "I will share more about those things later this spring."