Pancake bubbles and the Holy Spirit Do you see the bubbles in your pancakes? Bubbles help us to know that the pancakes are slowly rising and browning, ready to be turned over. Ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) resembles pancake bubbles, slowly bubbling up and out into the world, as God’s people […]
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Gathering to worship and celebrate The 2019 NC Synod Assembly participants gathered to worship despite the tornado watch and pouring rain. Lutherans trickled into First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, to the sounds of John Alexander and his trumpeting organ filling the sanctuary. The musical offering allowed those present to reflect on the 40th anniversary of the
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Yoked congregations find joy In a season where fear has become increasingly abundant as congregations are challenged to sustain ministries and meet financial obligations, two NC Synod congregations have faithfully stepped outside of their comfort zones to participate in a Holy Innovation. Recognizing the need for vital, vibrant congregations, the synod staff encouraged the congregations
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Bishop Smith addresses assembly Bishop Tim Smith’s address to the assembly began with a video thanking the NC Synod for their giving and lifting up the many ways the synod raises up so many fine candidates for ministry: LRU, LTSS, Agape+Kure Beach Ministries, NovusWay Ministries, campus ministry programs, and LYO. Then, he stood to address
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Being Church together with ministry partners Being the Church together means being in relationship together. The Reverend Philip Tonnesen, assistant to the bishop, shared with the assembly the way partners in ministry across synodical, churchwide, and community organizations are proclaiming the Gospel to those in need across our communities as well as in our companion
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Congregational Vitality is assembly focus Those entering the 2019 NC Synod Assembly today were confronted with a question: “What is Congregational Vitality?” It was on display throughout the room, on the front screens and on every tabletop. Fortunately, the answer read in bold just below the question: “Communities of Jesus that nurture life-changing relationships with
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Lay Preaching Program commissions first cohort “Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true, where all God’s Children dare to seek, to dream God’s reign anew.” —All are Welcome, ELW 641 What do an insurance salesman, a paramedic, an HR rep, a teacher, and a church musician have in
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Pre-assembly event explores Sacred Shifts We are living in a new and changing world. We know this and yet it still creates challenges. So we keep talking about it in order to focus on opportunities to breathe new life into our churches in this new age. In Thursday’s pre-assembly session, Peggy Hahn, Executive Director of
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Why Ministry Leaders Use Coaches to Keep Them Accountable and Focused You’re leading a congregation, but you’re also a leader in the Synod. Or, perhaps you’re called as a pastor, but there’s no congregation to lead, and you’re building it from, what feels like, scratch. Or maybe you’re in the middle of your first call
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Why Churches Use Coaches to Propel Ministry Forward Getting a group of people on the same page is no easy task. Visionary, mission-oriented meetings are difficult to run, and keeping the main thing the “main thing” can be exhausting, especially if you’re a stakeholder. Because it can be a daunting prospect, congregations involved in development,
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