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