CHICAGO (ELCA) Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has introduced a Web- based congregational ministry resource designed to help members and non-members live out their faith anywhere they have access to the Internet.
The resource, "ReadyClickGrow," was introduced in January. It was developed through a partnership with Joy Resources, a joint publishing venture of Augsburg Fortress and Community Church of Joy, an ELCA congregation in Glendale, Ariz.
ReadyClickGrow can be launched from any subscribing congregation's Web site, and it is now available to congregations for a 30-day trial period, said Bill Huff, general manager of congregational resources, Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis.
"The idea is for congregations to have another reason for people to visit their Web sites," Huff said.
ReadyClickGrow is meant to enhance a congregation's ministry by making biblically based materials and activities available to members anytime they want them, he said. The Web-based ministry resource is a "home-centered and church-centered resource," Huff said.
Presently, a ministry track called "ReadyClickGrow Your Family" is available through the service, Huff said. Resources for individual users include Bible-based devotions and activities, suggestions for building a family's relationship with God, faith conversation ideas, games, special topics and help from experts on various topics. ReadyClickGrow Your Family also includes a separate series of resources available for leaders of family ministries in congregations.
Later this year Augsburg Fortress plans to add ministry tracks called "ReadyClickGrow Your Faith" and "ReadyClickGrow Your Marriage," Huff said. Each will have resources for individual users and leaders. Other topics will be added in future years, he said.
To prepare for the unveiling of ReadyClickGrow, Augsburg Fortress conducted focus groups and demonstrated the program on selected ELCA congregational Web sites, including the Web site of Community Church of Joy.
Early response to the new product from focus groups and participants at selected conferences has been positive, Huff said. This year, the company is hoping to recruit 1,800 congregations as subscribers to thre ReadyClickGrow ministry tracks, he said. Annual subscription fees are determined by the congregation's average weekly worship attendance, Huff added. -- -- --
Information about ReadyClickGrow can be found at http://www.readyclickgrow.com/ on at http://www.augsburgfortress.com, the Augsburg Fortress Web site.
Community Church of Joy can be found at http://www.joyonline.org/ on the Web.
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
