ResourcesMissionCongregational Health

Synod Listening Team

In response to congregational requests for help in dealing with conflict, the New England Synod has developed a new ministry entitled Listening Teams. These teams of two people, who have received training from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, are available to work, on a short term basis, with congregations who are experiencing conflict. These teams are intended to be a first line of support to help congregations evaluate, understand and resolve conflicts that are affecting their ministry and mission.

Vision:

A church that uses constructive approaches to conflict as a way to grow in mission and ministry.

Mission:

Equip congregations and leaders with tools for reconciliation as a means to transform negative energy into new life
Train teams that will be available to congregations for assessment, mediation, and renewal
Supply guidance and support for rostered and lay leaders facing conflict.
Provide resources to rostered leaders and congregations to help them recognize conflict and transform it for growth.
Sponsor a variety of opportunities for training and development in conflict competency

Listening Team Downloadable Resources:

icon Listening Team Brochure

icon Covenant to enlist NES Listening Team

To Focus...

We recommend Dave Daubert’s Purpose and Guiding Principles Process

In December of 2007, Lutheran leaders from all over New England gathered to hear Dave Daubert speak on the essence of his book from Augsburg Fortress Publishing: Living Lutheran: Renewing Your Congregation. He encouraged leaders to use the development of purpose statements and guiding principles as a vehicle for getting clarity about God’s call—and getting serious about being transformed for mission.

Get Clarity About God’s Mission—and Your Purpose
Develop a Purpose Statement
Formulate Guiding Principles that Influence your Decision-Making

View Dave Daubert’s First Powerpoint Presentation, December 1, 2007, St. Andrew Lutheran Church

View Dave Daubert Second Powerpoint Presentation, December 1, 2007, St. Andrew Lutheran Church

Email Pastor Lisa Stoen Hazelwood, Ministry Specialist for Congregational Health, with questions or to talk about whether this tool is for you.

To Affirm...

We recommend Asset Mapping.

Asset mapping is a tool for congregational health that helps your congregation “see the glass as half full”—that is, to see that God has already given you the resources needed for the task to which God is calling you! Asset mapping simply gets you thinking creatively about what you have and about linking those assets in new ways to meet community needs.

Identify Resources
Link Those Resources and Think Creatively
Focus on One or Two New Initiatives

Asset Mapping Website of Alban Institute

Email Heidi Jakoby of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Team for more information.

To Connect...

Mission Area Assemblies

Gather and connect lay leaders from congregations in your region of New England.
Share good ideas and best practices.
Incubate new ways to collaborate in mission and ministry.
Help connect you with the Doing What Matters mission strategy process of the synod.

Is a three-year process facilitated by Kelly Fryer and Tana Kjos from A Renewal Enterprise as well as leaders from around the Synod.
Connects you with resources to learn about being a “renewable” organization by using participatory process, working playfully, taking place seriously, being “reproductive,” seeing possibilities and igniting passion
Will help us develop a synod purpose statement and guiding principles and identify strategic directions for our work together as synod
Will model a process that can be utilized in your congregation with the help of a coach.
Click here for the Doing What Matters Web Page

Contact Pastor Lisa Stoen Hazelwood, Ministry Specialist for Congregational Health, with questions.

To Grow...

We recommend Natural Church Development.

Natural Church Development or “NCD” is a process that starts with a congregational assessment survey and moves leaders to focus their efforts on the aspect of congregational life that will most impact the health of the congregation. A Church Health Team of congregational leaders develops a plan in conversation with the whole congrega-tion and acts as “leaven in the loaf of the church” as committees, teams and the council implement the plan! The goal is change that makes for greater health in worship, learning, serving and sharing the gospel with those not yet in our churches!

Self-Assessment
Analysis
Focus on the Minimum Factor or Point of Maximum Leverage
Build Momentum for Congregational Change

icon NCD Eight Quality Characteristics

For more information visit the NCD International Website. For NCD Books visit the resource area at Churchsmart and look for Natural Church Development resources. Email Pastor Lisa Stoen Hazelwood, Ministry Specialist for Congregational Health, with questions or to talk about whether this tool is for you.

To Change...

We recommend Transformational Ministry.

Transforming Ministry in New England is for congregations who know they need to make some significant changes in their life together and are ready to get help to make it happen! Transforming Ministry is a covenant-based process for congregations who are struggling with issues of survival and are ready to take steps toward renewing for mission.