Three Key Factors of a Dynamic Ministry,
Part 2
Earlier, I wrote of the results of the
ELCA study that sought the answer to the question: "Why do
some congregations grow and others do not?" The first
and most significant part of that answer was that growing
congregations have a clear vision for ministry. The
vision I noted was the combination of purpose (God's dream for
the congregation discerned by the members), values (the
guiding principles for the congregation) and time (the vision
is a product of the future.)
There is a second
element growing congregations have in place: It is a
willingness to change. That is correct.
Change. Growing congregations not only tolerate change,
they welcome it. Declining congregations resisting
change will invariably struggle to renew and
transform.
Ministries which are not
indiscriminately attached to past memories, and which accept
God's renewing purpose as offering brand new possibilities are
situated in a position to pursue the adventure of
transformation and growth. The members of these
ministries seem to be so convinced that their God-given
purpose is important that they are willing to change whatever
it takes to be faithful to God's vision. This is not
about technique or adding tasks. It is not about
reinstituting old favorite programs. It is a state of
mind and spirit, a way of being God's people in
mission.
Some church leaders have suggested that
change occurs when the following model is in
place:
Dissatisfaction + Vision + Concrete Action
> Costs
Dissatisfaction: This is better
described as the urgency for something to happen. It is
awareness that things are not how they are intended to be,
that something is wrong. As dissatisfaction increases,
the motivation to do something to change increases
too.
Vision: It is essential that there be
an alternative to what is currently in place. Mentioned
above and in Part 1, vision is God's preferred future for the
ministry. It is not simply what some would prefer, nor a
dream, nor a copy of another congregation's vision.
Vision is difficult for many to see, but it is a key for those
leading change. It comes from God and is discerned
through prayer, Bible study, and
worship.
Concrete Action: At some point,
decisions have to made, something is actually done.
Change will not occur unless the current reality is traded for
something else. Something is begun. Something is
concluded. Often, small things undertaken early on can
build momentum. Long-term activity should embody the
congregation's vision.
Costs: Every change
comes at a cost. For followers of Jesus, it can be
expressed as "taking up our crosses." Costs can be
financial, but more often grief, anger, conflict and pain are
the chief costs as people give up things that are not in God's
vision for the future. Those costs, taken together must
have less influence than the combination of the
dissatisfaction, the vision and the action for real change to
occur.
Next, the third of three reasons
congregations grow.
Pr. Harvey
Blomberg
Director for Evangelical
Mission
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We remember in prayer . . .
Pastor Mert Johnson (retired), as he undergoes hip
replacement surgery
Pastor Scott Minke (Interim ministry), as he
recovers from respiratory issues
Pastor Dan Severson (Faith, Castro Valley),
recovering from back surgery
The following synods as they meet in
Assembly in the coming week:
Montana Synod
Southwest California Synod
Western North Dakota Synod
Nebraska Synod
Central States Synod
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Northeastern Iowa Synod
East-Central Synod of Wisconsin
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
Indiana-Kentucky Synod
Southern Ohio Synod
New Jersey Synod
Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod
Allegheny Synod
West Virginia-Western Maryland
Synod
Virginia Synod
North Carolina Synod
Southeastern
Synod |
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VOTING RESULTS FROM SYNOD ASSEMBLY AVAILABLE
SHORTLY
The voting results for Synod Council
positions, the Discipling Team positions and the
resolutions will be posted on the Synod website shortly.
Check the website for all updated information regarding the
Synod. Here is the link : Sierra Pacific Synod
Link
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RECEPTION IN OAKLAND FOR PASTOR JOHN
RUTSINDINTWARANE OF RWANDA
Sunday, June 14
3:00-7:30 pm
Resurrection Lutheran
Church
397 Euclid Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610
Bishop Mark Holmerud, Resurrection
Lutheran Church of Oakland, and PICO (People
Improving Communities through Organizing)
invite you to a reception to celebrate the remarkable and
effective ministry of Pr. John Rutsindintwarne, Director of
the Rwandan organization CRCR: Congregations Rebuilding
Community through Organizing.
The event will include food, fellowship,
fundraising and prayer. Hear about the opening of the
clinic in Mumeya and other projects. Family, friends and
children are all welcome. Come show your support. Checks may
be made payable to PICO-CRCR.
RSVP:
Fr. John Baumann
510-655-2801
Ron or Pat Synder
510-895-2829
Pr. Lucy
Kolin
510-444-5382
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Message
from Bishop Hanson Regarding Wichita
Tragedy
Bishop Hanson has issued the following
statement following the tragic shooting death of Dr.
George Tiller, a member of Reformation Lutheran Church
(ELCA), Wichita, Kansas:
June 1, 2009
Dear brothers and
sisters in Christ,
Dr. George
Tiller and his wife, Jeanne, were gathering with the people of
Reformation Lutheran Church to worship and to celebrate
Pentecost - the coming of the Holy Spirit to God's people. It
is unconscionable that Dr. Tiller, who was serving as an usher
and welcoming people to worship, should be brutally
murdered.
In the wake of his death we pray that the
Holy Spirit will comfort his family and all who mourn. We
pray for the courage to be peacemakers, rejecting violence as
a means of resolving differences. We trust God's promise that
neither death nor life nor anything in all creation will be
able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
On behalf of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, I express gratitude to God for the
witness of the people of Reformation Lutheran Church and for
the pastoral care being offered by Bishop Mansholt and pastors
Michelson and Neitzel in this tragic
circumstance.
Today we cry out "Lord have mercy!' And
we are so bold to proclaim and believe Jesus is the
resurrection and the life. (John 11:25)
Mark S.
Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Link
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Upcoming Events
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June 10 Council of Deans
Shepherd of the Hills,
Vacaville, CA
June 13 Media-Enhanced
Worship Workshop
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Lutheran Church of the
Ascension, Citrus Heights
June 26-27 Synod Council
St. Mark's, Fairfield, CA
July 3 - Synod Office closed
for July 4th holiday
July 10-12 Catechumenate
Training - San Damiano
Retreat Center, Danville
July 22 - 26 ELCA National
Youth Gathering - New
Orleans
August 17 - 23
Churchwide
Assembly, Minneapolis,
MN
August 29 Book of Faith
Conversation - Trinity,
Pleasanton
September 7 - Synod Office
closed for Labor Day
holiday
September 19 District B
Conferences Assembly
St. John's, Sacramento
September 22 LSS Garrison
Keillor - Live in Concert
Memorial Auditorium
Sacramento
September 25-26 Synod
Council - Mercy Center,
Burlingame, CA
September 26 Women's
Retreat - Mt. Cross
October 10 District A
Conferences Assembly
Elim, Petaluma
October 11 District C
Conferences Assembly
PLTS
October 1-6 Conference
of Bishops, Chicago
October 19-20 Council of
Deans - Asilomar
October
20-22 Professional
Leaders
Conference,
Asilomar Conference
Center
October 23-24 Word &
Sacrament Event - ELW
Freedom &
Flexibility
October 24 District E
Conferences Assembly
Fresno
October 24 Book of Faith
Conversation - Good
Shepherd, Fresno
November 1 Joint Lutheran /
Roman Catholic Service in
Stockton - 4:00 pm
November 7 District D
Conferences Assembly
November 13-14 WELCA
Gathering - Peace,
Grass Valley
November 13-15 Spouses of
Clergy, AiMs & Diaconal
Ministers Retreat - Eagles
Rest, Sonora, CA
2010
January 4-9 Bishops'
Academy, Itasca, IL
January 13-14 Council of
Deans Retreat - Christ the
King Retreat Center,
Citrus Heights, CA
January 15-16 Synod
Council - Mercy Center,
Burlingame, CA
March 4-9 Conference of
Bishops
May 6-8 Synod Assembly
Silver Legacy Hotel
Reno, NV
September 30 - October 5
Conference of Bishops
2011
March 3-8 Conference of
Bishops
August 14-20 Churchwide
Assembly - Orlando,
FL
September 29 - October 4
Conference of Bishops
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SYNOD ASSEMBLY EVALUATION
The Synod Assembly Planning Committee would
like to receive feedback and evaluations from those who
attended the Synod Assembly in Fresno, to help with planning
future assemblies and to help the committee in its evaluation
of this past Assembly. The link to the evaluation form
is below. Thank you for your help!
Link
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2010
BUDGET AT JUNE SYNOD COUNCIL MEETING: YOU'RE
INVITED
The Synod
Council will be meeting later this month on June 26-27 at St.
Mark's Lutheran Church,
1600 Union Ave., Fairfield,
CA. Among the items of business they will consider are
items referred to the Synod Council at the Synod Assembly,
including the 2010 Synod budget.
On
Saturday morning, June 27th, from 9:30 to 11:00 am, the Synod
Council will be considering and voting on the 2010 budget and
would like to invite anyone from the Synod to attend.
We will meet in the sanctuary of St. Mark's
Lutheran to accommodate any persons who wish to come to
address the Synod Council regarding the 2010
budget.
Link
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REPORT OF
ASSEMBLY OFFERING
As of June 3rd, here is a report of the
Assembly offering:
Thursday, May 28 = $3,774.65
Saturday, May 30 = $3,813.00
Total to date: $7,587.65
The offering will be divided evenly between
the Rwanda School Project and the Fresno Metro
Ministry.
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THANK YOU FOR THE ASSEMBLY
VIDEOS
The
Assembly Planning Committee wishes to thank all the
congregations and ministries that sent in videos for use
during the Assembly. Unfortunately, there was not enough
time to use all that were submitted.
The videos are in the process of being returned to those
who sent them in. Link | |
Sierra
Pacific Synod 
