CBO Core Initiatives
Each member of the Congregation-based Organizing advisory Team (CBOT) takes responsibility, along with the director, for moving forward one of the current core objectives of our work.
Congregation-based Organizing Strategic Summitt (CBOSS)First Call Theological Education (FCTE)International OrganizingInter-religious Organizing InitiativeSeminary Strategy
Vital Congregations-Just Communities
Congregation-based Organizing Strategic Summit (CBOSS) – Ron Williams
See this core initiative report by clicking here.
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First Call Theological Education (FCTE) – Ron Luckey
On the basis of research among those in synods and regions responsible for continuing education for rostered leaders in the first three years of their rostered ministries, it will be the work of this initiative to develop a comprehensive plan that insures that congregation-based community organizing is a part of the continuing formation of newly rostered ELCA personnel. Strategy team members will take on roles that converge with their self-interest (for example, consultants/mentors/presenters) in the on-going process of attuning newly rostered staff to the work of congregation-based community organizing.
In mid-2009 a survey was circulated to the 31 people across synods and regions who were identified as being responsible for the FCTE process in their territory. 21 individuals responded, with various levels of interest in introducing organizing to their personnel. Rev. Luckey and Director Engh are developing a template and recruiting organizing practitioners to provide the kind of exposure that various synodical and regional coordinators have requested. The ideal model would be a retreat at which the principles of organizing are the “main event” and training in the tradition of the organizing networks, with a Lutheran flavor, is the mode of conveyance.
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International Organizing – Eva Creydt Schulte and Lucy Kolin
Ministry from an organizing approach is occurring internationally in a variety of settings, often with national organizing network support and encouragement, as well as ELCA Global Mission partnership. This type of ministry captures the self-interest of the ELCA because it identifies and equips leaders and engages in transforming power. Synods have a self interest related to their companion synod relationships, and organizing provides a way to build partnerships that are in tune with companion models and differentiate from a paternalistic mode.
CBOT GOAL: to support and promote international congregation-based organizing efforts that transcend service and advocacy and are network launched or companion synod related. STRATEGIES:
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engage key people who can be allies in ELCA units, both department heads and staff
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promote communications about organizing internationally through ELCA, LWF, LWR, the Lutheran, and to appropriate inter-religious judicatories
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develop companion synod models that promote new non-paternal ways of relating
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explore ways that organizing can meet the millennium goals the ELCA has endorsed;
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explore a global convening of those doing Congregation-Based Organizing
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connect with global mission events, World Parliament of Religion, World Council of Churches
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Inter-religious Organizing Initiative – Dennis Jacobsen
See this core initiative report by clicking here.
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Seminary Strategy – Sue GaetaIt is a goal of Congregation-based Organizing to enter into deeper collaboration with each seminary of the ELCA to further develop models of leadership for public life through the organizing arts. CBOT members have had conversations with key faculty and staff from all of the seminaries, to a varying degree of success. In terms of what’s happening at the various seminaries, some have had either summer or J-term classes on organizing or else to one degree or another incorporate the concepts into existing courses.
In October of 2008 Rev. Gaeta and Director Engh met with the academic deans collectively to enlarge the conversation. Our hope is that the eight seminaries can work together to ensure that each seminary student leaves at least knowing that congregation-based organizing exists and that it can be a useful framework for congregational development as well as “striving for peace and justice in all the earth.”
A current and active strategic step for this initiative is for Director Engh, and often a member of the CBOT, to travel to each of the seminaries to meet with their administrations and faculties, perhaps teach a session in a current course, interact with students and the surrounding community, build relationships, and assist those who share an interest in deepening the role of the organizing arts in the life and curriculum of our seminaries.
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Vital Congregations-Just Communities – Susan EnghSee this core initiative report by clicking
here.
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