Transforming Ministry

 

Facing a crisis of energy and resources?  ELCA research has identified three factors necessary for far-reaching turnaround.

 

1.      Focus on God’s mission of sharing the Gospel with the world.

2.      Willingness to change for the sake of the Gospel.

3.      Shared leadership between pastor and a congregational core team.

 

The ELCA has designed a renewal process called Transforming Ministry that may bring new life to your congregation.

 

This is not a program or a project. Rather it is an intense process of renewal that involves the whole congregation. The council signs a covenant and the congregation votes to commit to working at congregational transformation – “being” different as Christ’s disciples and making ministry decisions based on mission. The process begins with prayer and in-depth study of the Book of Acts.  Leaders selected by the congregation attend a Leadership Training Event sponsored by Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission of the ELCA.  Follow up includes a New England Synod coach assigned to shepherd the congregation and annual reviews conducted by the Mission Director.

 

Six congregations of our synod are engaged in this process:

 

            Bethany, Orange, MA                       St. Paul, Bridgeport, CT                  

            Bethesda, Springfield, MA               Immanuel, Naugatuck, CT               

            St. Mark’s, Bridgeport, CT               First, Malden, MA

 

 

Questions? Contact: Pastor Jane O’Hara Shields, NES Mission Director