|
We are resurrection people who pray first, walk together and change lives. This mission is accomplished through God's grace alive and active in the lives of individuals and congregations throughout the synod. Living Our Mission provides a place to share the stories of how God's work is being done in the world with our hands.
|
|
by: Rev. Judith VanOsdol, Director for Evangelical Mission
In the recent New Visions Workshop, led by Dr. Peter Steinke, we were challenged to design "hope laboratories"-places where, in theory and practice, the church would lead processes of claiming and proclaiming Hope in difficult times. Our small group came up with a number of wild and creative ways this might be approached.
This appeal of this exercise is, in part, the metaphor of "laboratory"-that gives permission to wonder, experiment, try new ideas and even to fail. If we are serious about claiming and proclaiming hope as God's resurrection people, are we able to take risks-and yes, perhaps to fail, in order to explore and engage with our contexts and communities in the "hope business".
We live in the midst of much hopelessness and despair; what would a Hope Lab look like in our "neck of the woods?" Let us boldly go where few dare-and even dare to "fail boldly" in our shared mission endeavor of proclaiming hope in Christ-crucified and raised-alive! in our faith lab context-our congregation. |
|
|
By: Marcia Brown, Mission Interpreter
"Give Peas a Chance" is the theme of the world hunger emphasis at next month's synod assembly, and the basis for a challenge to each congregation.
"Peas" and "peace" sound so much alike. Throughout history, food shortages have been one of the primary reasons for war, whether you're considering Hutus and Tutsis, Muslims and Christians, Slavs and Croats, North and South, or the Irish "troubles." If one area is more productive agriculturally, and another area starts to feel a strain, conflict will surely follow. ELCA World Hunger is trying to end that inequality, and the challenge to you is to bring $400, the cost of one community garden, from your congregation to synod assembly June 7th. That gives you the whole month of May to put out coin jars, have a dedicated collection, do a fund-raiser, whatever works best for you. Last year, the Hunger team didn't quite meet its goal. Let's all make sure they do this year! Every individual can be a part of the success just through a donation of whatever size.
Do "peas" = "peace?" It's not quite that simplistic. But it certainly is a start! Thanks for doing your share! |
|
By: Rev. Judith VanOsdol, Director for Evangelical Mission
Mission planning is a tool that serves to guide, inform and focus our energies and efforts to serve God and God's people in our particular time and context. In my travels around our Synod, congregations, unsure of where to start, often ask for resources, help and accompaniment with mission planning.
Understanding how God calls us to engage in God's work is mission planning. The 2011 Churchwide Assembly took action to support the work of congregations and made this effort one of the highest priorities of this church. The assembly requested congregations, in collaboration with synods, to begin, develop, review or redefine their unique mission plans.
There are many models for strategic planning; there is not one "right way" or approach. But working together on this important task can help to focus congregational leadership and optimize time, talent and limited resources. On the links below you will find useful, scripturally focused, in-depth materials to facilitate and accompany the process of creating a mission plan that fits individual gifts and context.
What is God calling you and your congregation to be and do? |
|
By: Marcia Brown, Mission Interpreter
Are you really tired of hearing about "fiscal cliffs," "debt ceilings," and "sequesters"? Church leaders are too. In a letter to President Obama and Congressional leaders, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, joined more than 100 national church leaders, calling for fiscal responsibility that models our nation's values and is mindful of the moral obligation to protect those most vulnerable. The letter is the latest effort by Circle of Protection, an initiative formed by national Christian leaders and heads of relief and development organizations to protect programs that serve those living in poverty. What business do church leaders have messing with political decisions, you might ask? Lutherans believe advocacy is a public witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ where the Church speaks with and on behalf of others in need. The ELCA advocacy ministry upholds biblical values: peacemaking, hospitality to strangers, care for creation, and concern for people living in poverty and struggling with hunger and disease. And every individual has a voice: you can help frame ELCA advocacy work by completing the 2013 ELCA Advocacy National Priorities survey. By completing this short, four-question survey, you help the church's advocacy ministries facilitate this active and growing network of Lutherans. Go to the ELCA website and click on the "Faith in Action" tab, then "Justice", then "Advocacy", and you'll find the survey, and also learn more about Circle of Protection.
Thanks be to God for a church that cares for all, and for people and congregations like you who support it. Thank you! |
|
By: Rev. Judith VanOsdol, Director for Evangelical Mission
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "I tell you," Jesus replied, "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.
Luke 19: 39-41
Is outreach "optional" or last on our congregational agenda as mission stations?
Joy Skjegstad, author and ministry facilitator, offers a series of Webinars: Outreach Isn't Optional: Why Community Ministry is Essential to Your Congregation's Future (see the links below for more information and registration). The description:
Community ministry and outreach are critical to the future of your congregation. They will be an essential reason that many new members are drawn in, as well as a central reason your congregation will remain relevant... Rather than providing just another in a long list of "church programs," community ministry efforts can be one of the most productive "engines" driving your church forward.
Having to convince congregations of the importance of outreach makes me wonder whether we have forgotten who we are and why we exist! Outreach is not about getting more members in order to meet our budget. Nor is it solely the pastor's job. Ours is a Missionary God (missio Dei). God is already "out there" actively binding up the broken hearted and reconciling the world to God's own self in Jesus Christ. Our identity, call, task, and joy is to participate in God's work.
 In an information age of exploding communication-internet, social media, etc., what is our mission plan-- so that we might "make Jesus known" in a hurting and hungry world? All congregations claim to be "welcoming", but some think that this means opening the doors and (passively) waiting for "them" to come to "us." How do we actively "bear" God's creative and redeeming word "out into the world?"
Above the "exit" sign leading to the parking lot, one congregation posts this sign: "You are now entering the mission field!" May God's grace empower, lead and sustain you in "the mission we share: ... bearing God's creative and redeeming word to all the world." (Mission sending at the close of "Holy Baptism", ELW)
|
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 21 |
Essential background