ELCA Congregations Become 'Alive in Christ'

for "Alive in Christ: Equipping Congregations for the 21st Century," an event organized by the ELCA's Division for Congregational Ministries (DCM).
The Rev. M. Wyvetta Bullock and the Rev. Mark R. Moller-Gunderson, DCM executive directors, presented a summary of the best practices of ELCA congregations engaged in effective ministry and growth. The practices will help define a "vision of excellence" for parish ministry in the next century.
"This is not a program but an identification of actual experiences drawn by congregations which are effective in their ministry," said Moller-Gunderson. "The practices are based on actual experiences of ELCA congregations."
"Current research indicates that 42 percent of ELCA congregations significantly changed their worship style in the last two years. Congregations that are open to new styles of worship are more likely to grow in worship attendance," said Moller-Gunderson.
"Research also shows that half of new members become inactive in their first year," said Bullock. "In effective ELCA congregations, the goal of making disciples is to equip members with a growing, active faith and to support all members in their faith life."
"God is the driver of the mission of the congregations. God gives the power, and God gives the faith. The mission is God's mission," Moller-Gunderson said.
ELCA congregations know that Christ's mission is one of invitation to faith and not merely an invitation to membership in the congregation.

Bullock and Moller-Gunderson added that effective congregations focus
on
education, especially education for the young; plan effectively, and
include all members in the plan; share leadership and build strong
partnerships; and know their community and are known in the
community.
"Effective congregations do not simply encourage giving, but model a giving spirit by affirming that all gifts come from God to be used effectively and carefully," said Moller-Gunderson.
"Transformation is in the heart of the Christian," said the Rev. Gladys G. Moore, assistant to the bishop for the ELCA's New Jersey Synod. "Be transformed by the renewing of the mind, which is a change that happens inside where no one can see, but where all can see the progress outside," she said during her Bible study.
"Transformation occurs in spiritual formation. Christian education for youth and adults is needed in our church for the spiritual formation and transformation of lives," Moore said. "Part of being alive in Christ is to present one's body. The offering of our bodies, every day and every minute, is what true worship of God is all about."
The event featured worship, seven seminars and 65 workshops, keynote presentations and music to "uplift and inspire" congregational leaders.
"Organized religion is not the pillar of society like it was in the 1950s," said Diane Crispell, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Ithaca, N.Y. Crispell, a keynote presenter, discussed social trends emerging in U.S. culture with special emphasis on spirituality and religion and their impact on the traditional ministry of the church. She is editor-at-large for Roper Starch Worldwide, a New York-based market research company.
"In order to serve the spiritual needs of people in the 21st century, American churches must provide a holistic approach to ministry that encompasses an understanding of everything in society. Churches much be able to integrate people's multiple gifts, inspire and inhabit," said Crispell.
"We must simplify in order to become complex," said the Rev. Michael W. Foss, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Burnsville, Minn. "The marks of discipleship are those practices which equip individuals and families with a faith that works in their real lives."
In his keynote presentation Foss discussed how the church's ministry can be focused on equipping people to find their faith's importance in family, community and work.
"The church has been established for the sake of the gospel," Foss said. The ministry of Word and sacrament, the mission of proclamation and justice, in short our engagement with the world in spiritual truth, must continue."
Congregations should have a vision and be motivated by a mission. The mission is the strategy for achieving the vision, Foss said.
Two composers were commissioned to write liturgical music for the event: Ralph C. Sappington, director of music for American Lutheran Church in Billings, Mont.; and Ben Houge, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mercer Island, Wash., a composer and sound designer for Sierra On-Line. David Cherwien, director for music ministries at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Minneapolis, was the conference organist.
Participants received "Congregation Alive," a resource for congregations contained entirely on CD-ROM. The resource is designed for congregations to undergo a "self study" and contains tools for moving toward a new vision of congregational ministry, said the Rev. Michael R. Rothaar, ELCA director for congregational studies and planning. "Congregation Alive" was funded in part by Aid Association for Lutherans, a fraternal benefits organization based in Appleton, Wis.
"Congregation Alive" was funded in part by Aid Association fo rLutherans, a fraternal benefits organization based in Appleton, Wisc.

For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director 1-773-380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html