CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In an effort to revitalize and renew congregations, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Outreach (DO) and Division for Congregational Ministries (DCM) are implementing "Turn Around Congregations," a pilot program beginning in five of the ELCA's 65 synods.
"Congregations that are willing and wanting to be challenged to a renewed vision for mission and ministry" were chosen to be "turn around congregations," said the Rev. Kathie S. Bender Schwich, ELCA director of leadership for outreach ministries. These are "congregations that could use some assistance reaching their next level of growth and development," she said.
The program was a response to one of the seven "Initiatives for a New Century," established at the 1997 Churchwide Assembly, said Schwich. "Turn Around Congregations" is designed to promote the Initiative, "Witness to God's Action in the World," she said.
A project team of DCM and DO staff selected participating synods: North Carolina Synod, Rocky Mountain Synod, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, New Jersey Synod and Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod. Synods that had congregations ready for a turn around, energy and resources to make changes, and diversity in setting and population were chosen, said Schwich. Each synod chose five congregations to participate in the program, she said.
Congregations send their pastor and five to seven lay leaders to a required training event. Event leaders from the DCM and DO staffs equip congregational leaders with skills and resources, including a book and workbook titled "Catch the Wave: Visionary Leadership in the Turn Around Church," Schwich said. Mentors are also available to follow up with congregations, she said.
Schwich said congregations will develop a new passion for outreach and evangelism through the program.
It is not "just a focus on getting folks in the door," she said, "but making them disciples."
An actual "turn around" in a congregation can take from five to seven years, Schwich said. After one year, the program will be evaluated to determine its progress.
"Turn Around Congregations" was made possible in part through a $27,000 grant from Aid Association for Lutherans, a fraternal benefits society based in Appleton, Wis.
[*Lisa Smith is a senior at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa. This summer, =
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she is an intern with ELCA News and Information.]
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
