a church being reborn - stir it up - bishop.nesynod.orgbishop.nesynod.org/goingforward.pdf ·...

VersionXII April23,2018

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AChurchbeingReBorn-StiritUpGoingForwardasaSynodofExperimentation&Discovery

“Andbehold,youwillconceiveinyourwombandbearason,andyoushallnamehimJesus”Luke1:31

“Forweknowthatthewholecreationhasbeengroaninginthepainsofchildbirthuntil

now.”Romans8:22

“ByGod’sgreatmercyhehasgivenusanewbirthintoalivinghopethroughtheresurrectionofJesusChristfromthedead,”IPeter1:3

IntroductionThestoryofJesusdoesn’tendwithJesus.Itcontinuesinthecommunityofthemen,womenandchildrenwhorepent,believeandfollow.God’ssalvation,whichbecamearticulate,visibleandparticularinJesus,continuesinthepeoplewhohavebeenraisedtonewlife,thecommunityoftheresurrection.TheconceptionandbirthofJesus,aswellasthecommunitythatwouldbearhisnamearedominantintheearlychaptersofLukeandActs.TheHolySpiritisaliveandwellintheseparallelbeginnings:bothJesusChristandthecommunityofJesussimilarlyconceivedbytheHolySpirit.Conception,birth,re-birthandevenlaborpainsaresignificantimagesthroughoutscripture.Sara,Moses,Psalms,Elizabeth,Mary.Isthechurchinacontinualfluxofconceptionandbirth,withtheaccompanyinglaborpains?ThebookofActsisthesecondinatwo-partbookwrittenbythesamepersonwhowroteLuke.Itisknownforcitingofhistoricalcontext(thoughtodayweseethosehistoricalreferencesinamorenuancedwayandlessliteral)aswellasattentiontogeographicalmarkers.Perhapsmoreimportantly,thistwo-volumedescriptionofthebirthofanew


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Jewishsect,whichbecameknownasChristianity,iswrittenforanewgenerationoffollowers.Luke-Actsisaddressingthequestionofa“whatnow?”Writtensometimeattheendofthefirstcentury,some30to50yearsfollowingtheeventsitrecords,theearlychurchiswondering“wheretonext?”Inotherwords,nowthatJamesandPeterandPaulareallgone,andthekingdomdidnotarriveasanticipated,whatarethefollowersofJesustodo?ThequestionsthatcametothemindsofthesecondorthirdgenerationofJesuspeoplehavesignificanceforustoday.Coulditbethatweareaskingsimilarquestionsinthisturnofthepageinhistory?Duringthefirstthreecenturiesofthechurch,thefollowersofChristconstitutedaminorityinaworldthatviewedthemwithsuspicion.Thesewerepeopletryingtoworkoutthemeaningoftheirexistenceinatimewhentheimperialpowerwasdemandingtheirallegiance.Theywereaskingquestions:Whathappened?Wheredoesouridentityrest?What’sgonewrong?WhatisGoduptointheworld?Whatthendoesitmeantobethechurchinthisnewtime/space?Inmanyways,weasprimarilywhite,middleclassLutheransintheoldmainlinetraditionsofpostWorldWarIINorthAmericaareaskingsimilarquestions.WerecallthedaysoffullSundayschoolclasses,sanctuariesandofferingplates.WerememberaLutheranidentityrootedinScandinavianorGermanculture.Wewonder:Whathappened?Didwedosomethingwrong?Wheredoesouridentityrestnow?WhatisGoduptointheworld?ThispaperisanattempttostartaconversationaboutthefutureofLutheranChristianityinNewEngland.Youarecurrentlyreadingversion12,seethedateandversionabovetomakesure.Thisdocumenthasmanycontributors,butIgottheballrolling.Eventually,Ihopeit’sgoingtobereadandeditedbythousandsofpeopleintheNewEnglandSynod.ThepurposeistoengageinajudiciousconversationaboutwhereweareandwhereweareguessingtheHolySpiritisleadingus.Thanksforreading.Thanksforpraying.Thanksforinvesting.James Hazelwood Bishop“Youcan’tthinkyourwayoutofaproblem,youneedaspiritofadventure.” EdwinFriedman


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InitialCommentshereatVersion12

Asthispaperhasbeendigestedbyawidevarietyofpeople,Ireceivedsuggestionsforimprovements.Thisversionattemptstoincorporatesomeofthoseideas.Themajorchangeinthisversionistheadditionofmoreconcreteexamplesofwhat’shappeninginourregion.You’llfindIncarnationalExamplestohelpgiveyousomeconnections,andI’veincludedlinkstowebsitesandresourcesasyoumaywishtoexplorefurther.Therehavebeenothercommentsbutthishasbeenthemostconsistentrequest.ButthereisonecommentIhaveheardthatIwishtoaddresshere.Candidly,itisacommentthatticksmeoff.Thatisthecommentthat‘thechurchisdying.’Irejectthisidea.ThechurchofJesusChristisnotandwillnotdie.Itiseternal.ThecurrentdominantmodelofcongregationbasedChristianityasawholeisnotdying,butitisundergoingadramaticshift.Aretherecongregationsthatwillnolongerexist?Ofcourse.AsIwritethisinthespringof2018,Ihavetwoappointmentsscheduledtomeetwithchurchcouncilsthathavevotedtoclosetheircongregations.Iexpectthattocontinue.Thatdoesnotmeanthatallcongregationswillclose.Yet,itdoesmeanthatallcongregationsneedtochange.Inthefuture,therewillbemultiplemodelsofchurch,andIgivesomeexamplesinthisversion.IalsoincludeattheendofthispaperadocumentpreparedbyPastorTimSteinwherehegivesmultipleexamplesofdifferentkindsofcongregations.

Inanefforttoprovideconcreteexamples,I’veaddedseveralthroughoutthispaper.Eachexamplehaslinkstowebsites,podcastsandresources.Ifyouarereadingapaperversion,youmaywanttoaccesstheonlineversionofthispapertobenefitfromtheresources.Downloadyourcopyathttp://bishop.nesynod.org/goingforward.pdf

Thetypicalmodelofcongregationalchurchlifeaspracticedforabout100yearsinthiscountryhasbeen:Achurchbuilding,andapaidprofessionalordainedministersupportedprimarilythroughvoluntaryeffortsandfinancialofferingsofalocalcongregationofpeople.Thatmodelisnotgoingtobetheonlymodelgoingforward.Isuspectitwillbeoneofmanymodels,mostlikelyarareone.OurchallengeistoturntotheSpirittoguideusintonewformsofChristianexpression.Whatarethenewformsofchurch?WhatarethewaysGodmightbecallingforthanew


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birth?Inpastrevivals,oldformshavedisappearedandnewonesemerged,areweinanewrevival?Finally.Somehavehopedthispaperwouldprovideanswers,andarefrustratedthatitincludesmorequestions.Thisisintentional.Theeraofeasyanswersisover.Theageofthequickfixmaybeourdesire,butthatdesireisnotwhatisneeded.Weneedaspiritofadventure,andquestionsleadusinthatdirection.

AChurchinLaborWhenIfirstbeganexploringthisideaofbirthandrebirthinthechurch,Ileftoutaveryimportantdetail.Thekindofdetailthatonlyamancouldomit.Ihadforgottenthatallbirthincludeslaborpains.MeaCulpa.But,alsothankstothewomenwhocalledthisimportantdetailtoourattention.Weareinaneraoftumultuousupheaval.Everyaspectofthemodernworldisundergoingtremendouschanges:newspapers,photography,banking,technology,transportation,education,communication,andofcourse,thechurch.Thisisdestabilizingformanypeopleinourcommunitiesandinourcongregations.Thepullandpowerofnostalgiaissignificantinthesetimes,becauseweseeitasawaytostabilizethetumult.Onequotecapturesthisbest:“Idon’tcometochurchtobechallenged,Icomeforpeaceandstability.”Likeitornot,manyofourpeopleareinthatplace.Nowonderanelectionbuiltaroundnostalgiasucceededincapturingjustenoughimaginations.Theironyisthatwhiletheremayhavebeenadesiretoachievestabilitybygoingbackwards,whatithasyieldedisangst.MuchofourcurrentmodelforoperatingasachurchwasformedinapostWorldWarIIstructureofexpandingsuburbanization.Thechurchfloatedontherelativelycalmwatersofeconomicexpansion,adominantwhitecultureandthelastvestigesofChristendom,whichreinforcedchurchparticipation.Allthatisgone.Wearenotgoingtosee3-5%annualGDPgrowth,societyisincreasinglydiverseandinstitutionalformsofreligiousexpressionarewaning.Thepost-modernworldhasadiversityofvoicesandourcultureisfartoofluidtoreinforceaone-religionexpectation.Thereisnotasinglepastor,deaconorbishopintheELCAwhowaspreparedforwhatneedstohappennow.Weweretaughtthroughacombinationofrolemodels,upbringing,seminariesandinternshipstoprovidespiritualleadershipinaworldthatnolongerexists.Thisinvolvesnumerousareasincluding:howpeoplelearn,howbehavioralchangehappens,howorganizationalchangeisled,howchurchbuildingscanbecomeresourcesforthecommunity,andhowwefinancethemissionofthegospel.Whilethereareafewleaderswhoarefiguringitoutastheygoalong,weneedtofindwaysforustolearnfromoneanother.


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FourPainPoints

IwishtohighlightfourmajorpainpointsofourtimesthatimpacttheministryofJesusChristinourmidst.Thenwewilllooktosomehintsofpossiblewaysforward.First,let’srememberthatweareapeopleofpain.Yes,ashumanbeings,butImeanspecificallyasChristians.WeworshipaGodwhoknowstheheartofpainandsufferingonacross.ThattellsusmanythingsaboutGod,amongthemitmeansthatitisinpainthatGodmeetsus,knowsusandembracesus.Therefore,aswelookatthesefourpainpointsforlifeandchurchintheearly21stcentury,perhapsanimportantquestiontoaskwouldbe:HowisGodmeetingusinthesepainpoints?SpiritualVitality–IalmosthesitatetosaythisbutI’mgoingtoanyway.Thetruthisthatsomeofourcongregationsarespirituallydead.IcouldcitestatisticsfromtheCAT(CongregationalAssessmentTool),observationsfrommyvisits,conversationswithpastorsanddeaconsaswellaschurchmembers.Whyaresomeplaceslackingspirituallifewhileothersarevibrantandblooming?That’swaytoocomplicatedtoanswerhere,butIsimplywanttopointitout.Youknowit’strue.IseeitwhenIgotoacongregationforameetingandthereisnoprayeratthebeginningortheend.Weknowitbecauseofthelackofparticipationinanykindofbiblestudy.IseeitintheCATresults,whereeveninourhealthiestcongregationsvastmajoritiesofpeopleansweryestothequestion,“Whilespiritualityisimportanttome,Ijustdon’thavetimeforitrightnow.”Wehavecongregationsthataremorefocusedoncoffeehourorcarpetingthanwelcomingtheneighbor/visitor.Forallthestrugglesweface,thisoneisprobablymostcritical.Aspirituallydeadcongregationisnotinlaborpains,itisintheearlystagesofhospice.Turningthisaroundisacentraltaskforleadersinourcongregations,betheylayleaders,clergyordeacons.OnethinksofSarahandherassumedbarrenwomb.IsitpossiblethatGodwillbringforthlife,laughterandjoy?Inmanyways,thisistheheartofourstruggle.CongregationalFinances-Thefinancialstrugglesinthistimeofchangearewhatmanypeoplediscuss.EvenourstrongestNewEnglandSynodcongregationsaredependingonoldergenerationsofdonorstokeepthedoorsopen.Insomecases,it’sonlyafewpeopleinacongregation.Ihavehadmorethanonepastortellmethattheircongregation’sentirebudgetissupported80to2.Inotherwords,80%ofthebudgetiscomingfrom2households.Ineverycase,thosehouseholdsarepeopleintheir70’sor80’slookingtomovesouthtoawarmerclimateortothenearbynursinghome.Severalyearsago,IpresentedapicturetotheJuneAssemblyofthissynod.Iexplainedthatwewereasynodof40-100-40:Fortycongregationsinnearcrisis,fortyhealthyandonehundredinbetweentryingtofigureoutwhichwaytheyweregoing.Threeyearslater,I’dventureaguessthatthisassessmentisnolongeraccurate.Inthelastthreeyears,we’vehadchurchesclose,othersmerge,otherspartnerwithEpiscopalcongregations,andothersgofromfulltimeclergytoparttime.In2018,Ithinkwearenow20functionallyorofficiallyclosed,60incrisis,60inthemiddleand30thatare


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healthy.Thesearechallengingtimes.Laborpains?Ifso,whatsortofnewlifewillthislaborbirth?HowmightGodbemeetingusinthiscrosslikeexperience?Isdeathforsomeinevitable?ChangingDemographics-Thedemographicsinoursynodarealsoindicatorsoftheroadahead.ArecentarticleintheAtlanticmagazinefocusedonthetrialsandtribulationsinthestateofConnecticut.Acombinationofpopulationdecrease,aneconomictrendthatincludesfewerhighwagejobs,expensivepropertyvaluesandstrugglingurbancentersmakesforaperfectstorm.(WhatonEarthisWrongwithConnecticut?Link-https://tinyurl.com/y964wsqmbyDerekThompson,TheAtlantic,andJuly5,2017)AsimilarassessmentcouldbemadeofRhodeIslandandMassachusetts,withtheexceptionoftheBostonarea,whichisseeinganincreaseinjobsincertainsectors.Howeverotherchallengingtrendsholdforthecityespeciallyintheareaofhousingandtransportation.Thenorthernthreestateshaveadifferentchallenge.Vermont,NewHampshire&Maine,alongwithourtwoNewYorkcountiesareinthemidstofalong-termpopulationdeclineaswellasanagingdemographic.Thereislittleeconomicactivitythatoffersaninvitationtothoseareas.Obviouslythereareexceptionsinsomepockets,largelydominatedbytourism,universitiesandhealthcare.Additionally,therearetheoft-sitedstatisticsthatNewEnglandisnowtheleastchurch-attendingregioninthecountry.VariousstatisticalanalysesbythePewResearchCenter,BarnaGroupandothershavepointedtoourregionashavingthelowestlevelsofparticipationinchurchlife.MaineandVermontareoftenwrestlingforfirst(last?)place,buttheotherstatesarenotfarbehind.Thereasonsforthisaremanyandbeyondthescopeofthispaper,butincludeYankeeindependence,rapidgrowthofsecularattitudes,economicfragmentation,increasingsuspicionofinstitutions,RomanCatholicsexscandals,anddemographictrendsinpopulationdecline,amongothers.However,it’salsofairtoask:Ifmanypeoplearenotgoingtochurch,doesthatmeanthereisalsoatremendousopportunitytoserve,connectandreach?TurbulentSocialTimes-Societyisinaturbulenttime.Thisincludestherealmofpolitics.TheelectionofDonaldTrumpisanexampleofthisturbulence.Thissurprisingeventhasandwillcontinuetobeanalyzedanddebated.Itisbeingresistedandembracedbypeopleinourcongregations.NewEnglandmaybeapredominantlybluestateregion(trendingdemocratic)butithasastronglibertarianandindependentstreak.Intheolddays,itwasRockefellerRepublicanswhowereconsideredsociallyliberalandfiscallyconservative.Regardlessofwhereonestandsonthepoliticalspectrum,itcannotbeignoredthatMr.Trump’selectionisadestabilizingevent.Ourpastorshaveexperiencedstrongpushbackonwhatsomelistenersinthepewperceiveas“political”sermons,whenallthepastordidwasreadtheappointedscriptureforthedayfromthecommonlectionary.Onepastorwaschallengedoverthecontentofhissermon.Whenhemetwithhiscritics,hehadthemreadtheSermonontheMount,towhichtheyresponded,“Oh,Iguessit’snotyouIdisagreewith,it’sJesus.”


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Inmyview,thecurrentpoliticalturbulenceataminimum,demonstratesachallengetobasicChristianvirtues.IamthinkingofthefruitofthespiritinGalatians522-23:Bycontrast,thefruitoftheSpiritislove,joy,peace,patience,kindness,generosity,faithfulness,gentleness,andself-control.(Ifyouwantamorecompletepicture,readallofGalatiansChapter5–linkhere-https://tinyurl.com/ybpc3r2j)Letmebeclearinmywordshere.Iamnotsuggestingotherpoliticians,pastorpresent,havebeenfullembodimentsofgraciousnessandhumility.WhatIamsuggestingisthatnowwehaveaPresidentwhomostclearlydemonstratesalackofcommoncourtesy.Inthewordsofmy94year-oldlifelongRepublicanvotingfather-in-law,“Heisjustsorude.”Thisshiftinpublicdiscourseiscausingdramaticshiftsinthetoneandthesubstanceofourcommonlife.Permissionhasbeengrantedforpeople,fromallperspectives,toshouttheiropinionsinwaysthatreinforcehostility,violenceandintolerance.Ourcongregationsareexperiencingtheseattitudes,assomepeoplearenolongerinterestedindiscussingtopics,butsimplyshoutingtheirconclusions.Ifthisisaparticularlypainfulaspectofmodernlifeforyou,whatmightyoubewonderingaboutGod’spresenceinthismomentofpain?Nowthatwe’vetouchedonfourpainpointsinourlifetogether,let’slookatoptionsandhope.


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ThreeHopefulOptionsLet’sturnnowtolookatthreedynamicsthatmayprovidesomehelpaswemoveforward.HopeOption#1-ExperimentationDiscovery-InthewordsofapodcastIlistento“Inspirationisgreat,butInspirationwithActionisbetter.”Ihaveadvocatedformostoffiveplusyearsnowthatweembraceourdeclarationthatweareasynodofholyexperimentation.Myreasonissimple.

Thedefinitionofinsanityisdoingthesamethingoverandoveragain,whileexpectingdifferentresults.

Ithinkit’sprettycleartomostofus,thattryingharderatthesamethingisn’tgoingtocutit.WhatdoImean?

IncarnationalExample:You’vebeenseeingfewerandfeweryoungpeopleattendconfirmationclassthatmeetsonWednesdayafternoonsat4:00p.m.Youthinktheanswermightbeadifferentcurriculum,soyouordernewbooksthisyear.Nothingchanges,thetrendcontinues.Maybeyouneedtotrysomethingverydifferent.SeewhatPastorNikiHarvelldidwithacreativeuseoftechnology,gametheory,agenuineloveofkidsandpurplehair.Watchthisvideo-https://youtu.be/ssvCjPmIsM0andcometoherworkshopatthe2018SynodAssembly.That’sanexperiment.

Inadditiontoexperimenting,weneedtobeaboutamoreintentionalprocessofdiscovery.Whatarewelearningfromourexperiments?Howaretheseexperimentschangingus?Whatadaptationsarewemaking?Ouremphasisonexperimentationhasbeengood,butInowbelieveweneedtobebolder.However,Irecognizethatthekindofchangeanddramaticupheavalthatmayberequiredofourcongregationsrequiresalearningcommunity.TheForwardLeadershipCommunity-https://tinyurl.com/yc5fsngwhasbeenourfirstattempttohelpcongregationsembraceflexibility,risk-takingandattemptingsomethingnew.Perhapswhatisneededisabroadbasedsynodwideemphasisthatfocusesonallofuslearningtogetherandfromoneanother.Perhapsaseriesofquestionsforallourcongregationstoexplore:• WheredoesitseemGodhasabandonedyou,yourcongregation,orourworld?• Whatareyoumostafraidofinyourcongregation,home,life?• Whatnolongerworksforyouinyourcongregation?• Wheredoyouseelifeandhopeintheministriesofyourcongregation?• Whatfaithunderstandingdoyouwonderabout?(Akawhatareyourdoubts?)• Whatgivesyouhope?


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IncarnationalExampleZionLutheranChurchinPittsfield,MAisouroldestcongregation.For30yearstheystruggledanddebatedabouttheirnextsteps.Shouldtheystayinthecityintheiragingasbestosandleadcontaminatedbuildingormovetoanewfacilityinanearbytown.In2011,PastorTimWeismannarrivedandthroughalongandsometimepainfulprocesstheychosetostayinthecity,renovatetheirfacility,letgoofsomeoldideasofchurchandengageinclearlyfocusedministries.NowtheyhaveamultiusespacethatcanbeSundayworship,Fridayconcerthall,Tuesdayfarmer’smarket,Wednesdaymunicipalmeetingspace,Mondaynightchildren’sballet.Zionseesthesacredandthesecularasboth/and.Theyarefindingaroleforthechurchinlocalgovernanceconversations,establishingthemselvesasacenterfortheartsandbalancingtherevenueintakestosustaintheministry.Youcanlearnmoreaboutthisprojectbylisteningtothispodcastinterviewhttps://tinyurl.com/y88vla9candbyviewingphotosontheirwebsite.

HopeOption#2-CentersofJusticeandSpiritualStrengtheningWhenIfirstarrivedinthisofficefiveshortyearsago,Iaskedmanypeoplethefollowingquestion:Whatdowedowell?Themostfrequentanswerwas‘socialjustice’.Afterfiveyear,I’velearnedthatwedon’tdosocialjustice,butwetalkaboutsocialjustice.Theoneexceptiontothistalkbutnoactionwouldbeintheareaofhumansexuality,beginningwiththeleadershipofBishopMargaretPayne,wholedtheELCATaskforceonHumanSexuality,andthefirstordinationsofopenlyLGBTQpersons,andcontinuingwithmytenure.Itisclearthatthisaction,whichIthinkofassimplydoingchurchwell,hasbeenthemostinfluentialsocialjusticeactivityinwhichwe’vebeeninvolvedasasynod.AsNewEnglanderswehaveapreferenceforactioninhowweexpressourfaith.Congregationscontinuetotalkproudlyabouttheirministriesofconcreteactionthatmakeadifferenceintheirneighborhoodsandaroundtheworld.Thegospelfreesusandsendsustobeagentsofhope.AnotherexampleofjusticeinactionthathasbeenwidelyembracedwouldbethegenerosityoftheELCAWorldHungerAppeal.AmongELCAsynods,NewEnglandranksasoneofthehighestinbothgiftstotheWHA,aswellasgrantrecipients.TheNewEnglandSynodtrulyembracesthisareaofjusticeministry.Whatdoesthistellusaboutourselves?Canourcongregationsbecomecentersofspiritualandjusticestrengthening?Shouldlinkingdiscipleship,compassionandjusticebeoneofthemarksofthechurchthatisbeingborn?Whatkindsofexperimentsinthisareaarealreadyhappening?HowdowerediscoveranauthenticLutheranspirituality?

IncarnationalExample:Formostofitshistoryasacongregation,St.AndrewLutheranChurchhadacommitmenttoimprovingthelivesofpeoplelivingin


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theirtown.Becausethecongregationhadnumerousskilledcarpenters,plumbersandamotivatedvolunteerbaseitengagedinannualFaithinActionSundays.“Don’tgotochurch,Bethechurch”wasthemotto.Aftermanyyears,thechurchdecidedtoformaseparatenon-profitorganizationcalledNeighborsHelpingNeighbors.https://www.facebook.com/NHNRITheirgoalistohelppeoplestayintheirhomes.

IncarnationalExampleII:Iftheaboveexampleisoneofhandsonservice,weneedanotherthatshowsattemptstochangeunjustsystems.TheNaugatuckValleyProjecthttp://www.naugatuckvalleyproject.orgisaprimeexample.It’sacoalitionofcongregations,smallbusinessesandlabortoimpactaneconomicallydeprivedarea.Increasingly,it’sobviousthatchurchesthatwanttoimpactchangeneedtojoinwithotheragenciesandorganizetoimproveconditionsinourcommunities.Wecan’tdoitonourown.ThisspringallofourConferenceDeanswillparticipateinatwo-daytraininginthefoundationsofcommunityorganizing.Howcanwemakeuseofthesetoolstobecomecentersofjustice?

IwonderifourLutheranstrengthofclarityinmattersoftheology,confessionalidentityandintellectualrigorisalsoaweakness.Ihavethoughtformanyyearsthatthe16thcenturyexistentialangst,whichourreformationtheologyaddressed,islessrelevantinthe21stcentury.Simplymakingthatstatementputsmeatoddswithseveralofourchurchesleadingtheologians.But,I’llventureoutanywaywithaseriesofquestions:

• IsthehungerinourdaymorefocusedonencounterwithGod,ratherthanunderstandingofGod?

• WhyareYogastudiossopopulartoday?• Ismysteryamorepowerfulforceamongyoungergenerations?• Dowethinkourselvesintonewwaysofliving,ordoweliveourselvesintonew

waysofthinking.• IstheabsenceofLutheranspiritualityconnectedtoourintellectualemphasis,ora

lackofemphasisondiscipleshiptraining?• Aretheseeither/orquestionsfrustratingyouasmuchastheyareme?It’strueI

putsomeofthesequestionsinabinaryformat.That’sunfair.Sowhat’sathirdwaythroughthistopic?

Severalyearsago,Ifinallyfellintoaseriesofspiritualexercisesthatworkedforme.Yes,Iwilladmittohavinganinadequatepersonalprayeranddevotionallifeforyearsinmyearlierministry.WhatIhadwasalotof“should”projects.Ishouldreadthebible,Ishouldpraymoreoften,Ishouldhaveajournal,Ishould…AsImademywaythroughtheearlystagesofthemid-lifetransition,Ifellintoseveraldisciplinesthatnowfeedmysoulandexpandmyawarenessandcompassion.ThoseincludeamixofpracticesthatincludeEugenePeterson’sMessagetranslationofthePsalms,ameditationapponmyiPhonecalled‘Headspace,’rigorousphysicalexercise,healthiereating,amovementtowardasimplerlifestylethatincludeslessconsumerspending,therapywithananalystandthe


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writingsofRichardRohr,BreneBrownandJamesHollis.ThroughitallisaGrace,thatgivesmepermissiontostrivetodothesewell,butnoshameinnotachievingperfection.Hearmeclearly.Iamnotsaying,weshouldabandonourLutheranroots.Rather,Iamsuggestingthatweopenlyseekandaskquestionsaboutwhat21stcenturyNorthAmericanpeopleneed.Mypersonalviewisthatpeopletodayarenotseekingmoreinformation,theyareseekinganexperienceofJesusChrist,theembodimentofthedivine.Isthereaconnectionbetweenspiritualalivenessandsocialjustice?Ithinkso.AndIamincreasinglyoftheopinionthatthewaywegetatthisisthroughstories.EverytimeIpreach,it’salwaysthestoriesthatpeopleremember.Weareastorypeople.TheBibleisreallyalibraryofstories.PerhapsoneofthemostsignificantwayswecanhelpourcongregationsrediscoveraSpiritualVitalityandapassionforjusticeisthroughstorytelling.

IncarnationalExample:WhatbeganasaspiritualautobiographygroupatalocalsynagoguemorphedintoafaithandlifestorytellinggroupatSt.PaulLutheranChurchhttps://stpaulcapeann.orginGloucester,MA.Together,eachweek,well,mostweeksnotall,agroupofpeoplemeetandtalkaboutlifeandfaithandstrugglesandjoys.TheycallthegroupHolyVoices,HolyTime.Overtime,asinyears,thisgrouphashonestlyembracedanAncient/FuturepracticeofMidrashorfaith/lifestorytelling.

HopeOption#3-EcclesiasticalEntrepreneurs–Inthelastsixmonths.I’vebeenlisteningtovariouspodcastsonthissubject.SideHustleSchoolhttps://sidehustleschool.comandHowIBuiltThishttps://tinyurl.com/y7s6lnpparethenamesoftwoofthosepodcasts.I’mfascinatedbythewayinwhichsomepeoplearechoosingtoengageinprojectsthatbringvaluetotheirlivesaswellasadditionalrevenue.I’vechosentoembracethetermentrepreneurasopposedtoallthechurchwordswehaveused.It’sclearthatthishasdisruptedafewreadersofearlyversions,asI’vereceivedanumberofcommentsonthissection.StiritUp!Letmetrytoclarify,whilestilldisruptingyourthinking.EcclesiasticalEntrepreneursareleadersororganizations,mostlycongregations,whodothegoodandhardworkoflookingattheholesaroundthem,andundertheSpirit’sguidanceactonconnectingresourcestoaddressthoseholes.Thephrase“sidehustle”wasonceviewedasaderogatoryterm,butisnowbeingembracedinsomepartsoftheculture.However,thechurchhasanolderhistorywiththisconcept,aswehavecalledittent-making.ThisisareferencetoSt.Paul’sministry,andeconomicsupportmodel.Whileitistruethatthenumbersofyoungerpeopleactuallymakingalivinginsolelyself-startventuresdon’tequalthehype,Ithinkit’sfairtosay,“asocietalshiftishappeninginthewaywework.”Iwanttoconnectthiswiththerealitywearefacingandwillcontinuetoface.Namely,moreandmoreofourchurchesmaynotbeabletopayforafulltimeprofessionalreligiousleader,whetherdeaconorpastor,alongwiththeotheraccompanyingstructuresofthepostWorldWarIImodelofcongregationallife.


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Somechurcheshavebegunformingseparate501c3non-profitsasawaytofocusonaparticularcommunityneed.OthersarebeginningtoseekpartnershipswithAscentria,Mosaicorothers.Arethesesomepossiblesolutions?Couldanyofthefollowingbehelpful?

• Congregationalcallstopastorsanddeaconsmayneedtobepart-time,thiswillmeanpart-timeleaderresponsibilities

• PastorsandDeaconsmayhavetohaveSideHustlesorTent-makingministries

• Congregationswillneedtostartotherrevenuestreams• Somecongregationswillclose,merge,sellbuildings,partnerwithother

denominations,becomemulti-pointparishes.• Non-ministrynon-profitswillneedtobeformed• LicensedLayLeadersneedtobecultivated,andbi-vocational(dual-career)

ministriesneedtobeencouraged.• Shouldthebishopandstaffreturntobeinginaparish,asitwaspre-1957?• Whatotherventuresshouldwenowbepursuing?

Congregationsneedtothinkintermsofcollaborationwiththeirentrepreneurialpastor.Wecanbecreativeinouruseoffinancialtoolssuchascontinuingeducationmoney,sabbaticalsandpayingoffchurch-mortgagesthathavethepotentialtoincreasefinancialstabilityofcongregations,pastorsanddeaconsbyinvestinginstructuresandskillsthatcultivateanewmodelofchurch.Allofthesefactorsraisebothacrisisandanopportunityforthechurch.TheseareamongthelargerscalelaborpainsweareexperiencinginNewEngland.Butlaborpainsaresignsofacomingnewbirth.IncarnationalExamples:

JimHazelwood.(Yup,that’sme)Whileservingasaparishpastor,itbecameevidentthattheonlywaytosendmysonthroughcollegewasformorefundstobeavailable.Thatcouldhappenbytakingoutstudentloans,seekingfinancialassistance,ajobformysonwhileinschool,asignificantincreaseinmysalaryorincomegeneration.Thesignificantincreaseinmysalarydidn’tseemlikeanoption.IstartedaSideHustleusingmyphotographyskills.Ihadtheopportunitytophotographpeopleformagazines,business,weddings,familyportraits.Intime,Iledworkshopsforaspiringphotographers.Whileafewpeopleinthecongregationopposedmyattentiontothisproject,thevastmajorityunderstoodandevenaskedmetophotographtheirfamilies.MarkandSarahHuberbeganaseriesofSideHustleswhentheystartedtheministryatSanctuaryinMarshfield,MA.Buildingandmaintainingwebsitesforbothchurchandcorporateclientswasawaytoearnsomeadditional


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funds,butMarkalsopointsout,“Itwasagreatwaytoconnectwithpeopleandmakefriends.”Thisisimportanttonote,becauseatruesidehustleisaboutpassionandpurpose,aswellasincome.Inaddition,Sarahteachesmusicthroughprivatetutoringandsmallclasses.Astheirministryhasexpanded,aswellastheirfamily,they’vereducedtheirwebsitework.WhatcanwelearnfromMark&Sarah?VictorCabreraiscurrentlydevelopingaministryinProvidence,RhodeIsland,LaIglesiaLuterana.TheymeetinanEpiscopalChurchbuilding.Victorwastrainedasacivilengineerinhisnativecountry.Whenhefirstbeganthisministry,becauseUSculturedoesn’tvaluehisoverseaseducationheworkedaso-calledunskilledjob40hoursperweek.Thathasnowchangedandheisemployedfulltimeusinghisengineeringdegree.Healsoleadshiscongregation,helpsraiseafamilywithhiswifeandtakesclasseson-linethroughUnitedLutheranSeminary.WhatcanwelearnfromVictorandhiscongregation?KarenSafstromworkedformanyyearsasapharmacistbeforeherrecentfulltimecall.Shereadilyadmitsthisposedchallengesaswellasopportunities.ThisisamodelthatismoreofBi-Vocationalapproach,ratherthanaSideHustle,butonethatprovidesahintforthepresent/future.Perhapsseminariesshouldofferadualdegreeprogram.MDiv/MBA,MDiv/MSW,etc.

CongregationalExamples:

ZionLutheranChurchinSouthington,CTiswellknownforitsAppleFrittersattheTownFair.Thissmallquainttableoffrittersgrewovertheyearstogeneratesignificantrevenueforthecongregation’sministryaswellasseveralentities&missions.Hastherebeenaproblematicimpactongivingandstewardship?That’sanimportantdiscussioninthistopic.

FaithLutheranChurchinCambridge,MAinitiatedaprojectwithanearbySynagoguetolaunchaMealSiteforthecommunity.Astheydevelopedtheproject,theyrealizedthebenefitofformingaseparatenon-profitorganizationtosecuregrantsanddonations.Youcanhearthisdescribedinthispodcastinterviewwithformer,nowretiredPastorTimStein.Clickhttps://tinyurl.com/ybxnvxld.

BethesdaLutheraninNewHaven,CThasbeenattemptingtounderstanditsoptionswithalargefacility.TheyhaveahistoryofrelatingtoYaleDivinitySchoolandevenhavemodesthousingonsiteforsomeofthosestudents.IsthisaSideHustle?Isthiswiseuseofbuildingspace?Theyarewrestlingwithwhatotheroptionstheymightengage.ThereisagreatarticleonbuildinguseinarecentissueofChristianCentury.Youcanviewithere.https://tinyurl.com/yc4mma6n


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Whatresourcesdoesyourcongregationhave?Unusedrooms?Peoplewithskills?Couldyouconvertanunusedspacetoawifi-officeWeWorktypesetup?We’vecoveredthreeareasofHopeinthesetimesofLabor.Experimentation,Centersforjustice&SpiritualityandEntrepreneurialEndeavors.Asyouhavereadtheseexamples,whatstrikesyoumost?Churchischanging,right.Changeischallenging.Whatenergizesyou?Whatfrightensyou?WheredoyouseeGodinthesetimes?

SeventhInningStretch-Laborintheageofthequickfix?Let’stakeapauseatthismoment.Infact,ifyouarereadingthisasagroup,I’dstophere.

Goforawalk,stretchyourbody.We’vecoveredalotofmaterialhere.Itcanbeoverwhelming.Whenyoucomeback,we’lldiveintosomemoreclues.

Ah,theageofthequickfix,theeasysolution,andthemagicanswer.Whenvisitingoneofourcongregationslastyear,averyconcernedwomanaskedme,“What’soneeasythingwecandotogetpeopletocometoourchurch?”Itoldher,“That’slikeaskingwhat’stheoneeasythingtoraiseateenager?Loseweight?Growabusiness?Theoneeasythingdoesn’texist.It’sathousandlittlethings.”Anotherexample:Oneofourpastorsrecentlysaidtome,“IfIonlyhadapictureofwhatthenextchurchlookslike,Icouldstartpointingusinthatdirection.”Heleadsacongregationthathasasufficientnumberofpeopleandresourcestoengageinministryrightnow.Yet,heknowsthatoverhalfhiscongregationwillbegoneinfiveyears,alongwithatleastthatmuchinfunding.Iwantedtobeabletotellhimwhatthatpictureofthenextchurchlookslike,butIcouldn’t.WhatIcandoissuggestsomemarkers,butthatcomesinthenextsection.LetmepauseheretosayasclearlyaspossiblewhatI’mseeingasIvisitandtalkwithchurchleadersinNewEngland.Thelocalchurchwithitscurrentself-supportingmodelofamodestsizebuilding,afulltimeordainedpastor,andmaybesomeparttimestaffisexperiencingstress.Insomecases,thestressissignificant.ThemodelofthestandalonecongregationisthewaywehavepracticedChristianministryforaboutahundredyearsinthiscountry.ThismodelsupportedeverythingelseweknowasLutheransbecausethesecongregationsprovidedfundingandpeopleforeverythingwehavedone.Whetherit’scampusministry,globalmissions,seminaryeducation,worldhunger,etc.-ithasallbeensupportedbythecongregationalmodel.Thismodelmaybeonitslastlegs.Itisalreadyteetering,andinfivetotenyearsitwillbarelybeabletostand.Whatdowedo?


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Iamnotsayingthatalllocalcongregationalministrieswillbegoneintheyearsahead.But,IamsayingthatthecurrentmodelasthedominantformofELCALutheranismisundergoingadramaticdownsizingbecauseitisnolongersustainable.

MarksofaChurchinLaborWhatDoWeDo?

Ihaveconsistentlymaintainedinmyconversationswithpeoplethatanyandallpredicationsofthenextchurchshouldbemetwithextremesuspicion.Societyischangingatsucharapidpacethatnooneknowswhatthefutureholds.However,Idobelievewecanlooktosomecharacteristics,orasLuthercalledthem:marksofthechurch.In1539,Luther’swriting,OntheCouncilsandChurch,refersto“SevenMarksoftheChurch.”(ForastudyguidetothistopicseeMaryHinkle’sSignsofBelonging)Now500yearslater,inthisseasonofReformationcommemoration,duringavastlydifferentcontext,IwouldliketosuggestFiveMarksofaChurchinLabor–achurchthatisbeingreborn:CenteredintheUnconditionalLoveofGodinChristweare

• ACommunityofAdventure–Peopleriskingeverything,willingtotryandfailinordertodiscoverhowGodmightbereshapingus.

• ACommunityofConfession–PeopleknownbytheCross,

embracingtherealityofbrokennessinourownlivesandthelifeoftheworld,andguidedbybiblicalthemesofhonesty,reconciliationandforgiveness.

• ACommunityofCollaboration–Peoplewhointentionallyconnect

withothercongregations,non-profits,businessesandgovernment.

• ACommunityofSpiritualVitality–Peoplecenteredandrootedin

spiritualdisciplinesofprayer,meditation,generosity,Biblestudy,thanksgivingandWord&Sacrament.

• ACommunityofHolyAction–Peopleintentonmakingaconcrete

differenceinourneighborhood,nationandworld.


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Iamintentionallytryingtomodifytraditionalchurchlanguagehere,whilestillembracingsomereligiousterminology.Why?MyprimaryconcernwithalistthatincludesJustification,Trinity,Sanctification,etc.isthatIhavefoundinmanyquarterswehavelostthedepthofwhatthesewordsmeanorweassumeweallknowwhattheotherissaying.Thesefivemarksarerootedinavarietyofsourcesthatsomeofyouhavebroughttomyattentionfromscripture,Luther,morecontemporarythinkers,aswellasyourownthoughts.SomehavesuggestedthattheseMarksaremore‘doing’than‘being.’That’safaircritique,anditsuggeststhisareaneedsmorework.Somequestionstoponder:Isthechurchthatisemerginginneedofarebalancing?Arewetoofocusedondoing?Onbeing?Isthegospelmessageofunconditionalloveastartingpointorlaunchingpointfordoingministry?Orisitanendingpoint?

Summary–TwotruthsTruth#1-Thisishard.Weareinthemidstofdramaticcultural,technologicalandspiritualshifts.Everythingismovingunderourfeet.Wehavetobepatientandgoodtoeachother,becausethekindofworkwearetalkingaboutdoingisnoteasy.Thatneedstobesaid,againandagain.Thisishard.Truth#2-Thechurchisn’tdying,it’sbeingreborn.Ibelievethat.ButalthoughthechurchasthewholebodyofChristisnotdying,theothertruthisthatsomelocalchurchesaredying.Wedon’tneedtobeafraidofthat,becausesomeofthosedeathsmaybeapartoftheresurrectionofthechurch,therebirthofthechurch.I’vetriedtoestablishoursituationasNewEnglandLutheranslivinginthemidstofthelaborpainsofsomethingnewbeingborn.Unlikemodernbirthinourhealthcaresystem,wecannotperformanultrasound,inordertogetaglimpseintothisnewlife.Wecannotpredictitsfuture.NorcanwepretendtoknowthedesignsGodmayhaveonthisnextiterationofthechurch.But,wemightsuggestsomeclues,andhavethusproposed“FivemarksofaChurchinLabor”Thisshortpaperisdesignedtoraisequestions,encourageconversation,andberewrittenmultipletimes.Theeraofeasyanswersendedalongtimeago.I’minterestedingoodquestionsthatleadusintoanewplace,andultimatelyactionsthatwecantake.• Whatquestionsinthispapermadeyouwonder?• Lookovertheproposedmarksofthechurch,whatexcitesorfrightensyou?• What’sworthinvestingtimeandenergyandlimitedresources?• Whatshouldweabandon,whatshouldwenolongerdo?


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• Whatdowereallyneed/notneed,tobeJesus-people,inthewaythathewished?• Whatkindoflearningcommunitydoweneed?• Whatareyoumostafraidofinthesetimes?• Whatgivesyouhope?Addendum–Winter2018Recently,thispaperbecameatopicofdiscussionatoneofourcongregations.Thisisachurchsmackdabinthemiddleoflabor.Theyhavesoldtheirbuilding,andthepeoplehavebegunworshippinginanearbyEpiscopalchurch.The14folksintheroomimpressedmewiththeirhonesty.Theyspokeofthejoysandsorrows,thelamentsandthehopes.Theytoldhowtheymissedtheiroldbuilding,butweregladnottohavetoconstantlyworktorepairit.Theyweregettingtoknowthe‘new’peopleinthis‘strange’place.AtonepointIwasasked,whatthechurchofthefuturewilllooklike.Herewasmyanswer:“Firstoff,Idon’tknow.Ifanyonetellsyoutheyknow,theyarelying.ButIwillsaythatIbelievethatinatimeinthedistantfuture–afutureIwillnotsee.50yearsfromnow,100yearsfromnow,IbelievetherewillbethreeexpressionsoftheChristianfaithhereinNewEngland.OnewillbeRomanCatholic,anotherwillbePentecostalandthethirdwillbeliturgicalprogressiveChristianity.(I’mnotsoldontheadjectivesofthislastone,I’mlookingforsomethingelse,buttheseareastart)ThisthirdonewillbemadeupofwhatwetodaycallthemainlinedenominationsofLutheran,Episcopal,Congregational,Methodist,etc.“NowIdon’tthinkwearegoingtohaveaformalmergerofthosebodiestobesomethingliketheNewEnglandChristianChurch,becauseIthinkthatsocietalandculturalforcesarepushingawayfromdenominationinstitutionalization.ButIdothinktherearesignstodaythatthesemainlinetraditionsarecoalescingandsomethingnewishappening.Iwonderifwearenowatatimesheddingsomeoftheold,inordertogetreadyforthenew.IwonderifGodisinthisinapruningsortofway.“But,Ithinkwhatyouaredoinghereisthebeginningofsomenewchurchthatisbeingborn.Youarepartofthelabor.That’shard.Thisishardwork,butIbelieveit’sleadingsomewhere.”Themoodintheroomshifted,assomeonesaid,“We’recuttingedge.”Laughterbegantobreakout,nervouslyatfirst.But,itseemedtherewasasenseofbeingapartofsomethinglarger,moreexpansive.IreturntothebeginningofthispaperandthequotebyEdwinFriedman“Youcan’tthinkyourwayoutofaproblem,youneedaspiritofadventure.”


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TheonlywayIknowhowtohaveaspiritofadventureistostiritup,getsomeenergygoingaroundexperimentationandletGodmoveusalongthisjourney.

Thenextsectionincludesexamplesofchurchministries,preparedbyPastorTimStein

A Variety of Churches There are lots of different ways of being a church. Though Lutheran churches in the US (and New England) are often traditional, increasingly many are not. As you think about possible futures for Grace, use the examples here to inspire your imaginations. The point is not to judge these churches favorably or unfavorably, but to stimulate discussion about what Grace might be and do.

Each example contains an image, a short comment concerning what makes the church unusual, and a quote from the church’s website.

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Our Saviours East Boston

A church with low attendance but with an active mission that reaches hundreds of people every week. It is a site for Spanish-speaking mission which is being integrated with an old Norwegian congregation.

We adopted an “open door” approach to the community, and in doing so learned the gifts and blessings of hospitality which can emerge in a poor city neighborhood. In the 1980’s and 90’s, Our Saviour’s, together with a community organization housed in the basement of the church, became the center of work with thousands of refugees and immigrants in East Boston – the largest community-based program in Boston.

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Sanctuary Marshfield

A Lutheran mission church that moved into a Methodist church building and re-organized the worship space, removed the pews, put the altar on a side wall, and emphasized all kinds of music. Now starting a second congregation.

We get it. Sometimes you go to a church for the first time and realize it’s a lot like fine dining. Quiet. Refined. Sanctuary is a bit more like a family picnic. We have kids, they act like kids, and that’s expected and embraced. In fact, Sunday mornings are intentionally geared to be engaging for all ages, and during all our worship services we have coloring tables and room to move so kids can feel comfortable and parents are able to relax.

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Faith Cambridge

Once worshipping with only a handful of people, eventually attracted a new demographic. Has welcomed four other congregations to be part of its ministry, including a German congregation that is increasingly integrated with the English-language one. One of its missions is a meal program.

We are called as Christians and as neighbors to help relieve suffering and to care for our sisters and brothers. An ongoing program of the church (in partnership with Temple Beth Shalom) is Faith Kitchen, which has been cooking, serving, and sharing great meals for nearly twelve years. Sometimes local restaurants help.

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Cathedral in the Night

An outdoor-only church that started as an experiment by two nearby pastors (one Lutheran).

Cathedral in the Night is an outdoor Christian community in downtown Northampton, MA, which seeks to create a safe place for all people: the homeless, the housed, the church-less, the churched, the student and the resident to explore, question and live out their spiritual beliefs; to gather for a meal and to empower one another to engage in issues of social justice by working to fight the causes of inequality and homelessness

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ZionPittsfield

A Pittsfield Lutheran church that was ready to close, but instead fixed up their building, which became a big community center and a small congregation. In the first six months, the church was used 130 days out of 180, only 40 of them for worship.

As a result of [a large renovation project], a new ministry was born. We call it Common Room to reflect our vision of shared space, as well as to recall our proximity to the Pittsfield Common, the adjacent city park. We give thanks that we have begun to forge new relationships with our neighbors, and we have already hosted theatre rehearsals, musical concerts, nonprofit meetings, dinners, and movie nights, in addition to our congregation's worship and fellowship.

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Salt and Light Church and the Leaven Community

A young Lutheran pastor presides at a church that is just one part of Leaven, a larger non-profit, community-based organization. Leaven was formed after a traditional congregation decided to close and to start over as a new kind of church.

Melissa's job was to envision a new way of being in the neighborhood on behalf of the gospel. By a community organizing process, the congregation, in Melissa's words, decided "to become vulnerable for the sake of the community."

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Churches Joined Together

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Lutheran Church of Framingham

A Lutheran congregation moved from its own building and became a separate worshipping body within a nearby Episcopal church.

The church voted to “Partner with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in sharing ministry activities – service projects, Christian education, staff (both Episcopal and Lutheran), building – while remaining as a Lutheran congregation teaching from both the Lutheran and Anglican heritages at the current Episcopal location.”

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Christ Trinity Church Sheffield

A “conjunction” of a Lutheran and Episcopal church into a vital single congregation. Its motto is “Our Church is ALIVE!”

Our church grew from the conjoining of two congregations in 2007. Now, blending a rich heritage of Episcopal and Lutheran traditions, we share worship, governance, budget and mission outreach. ... “Conjoined” means Lutheran and Episcopalian churches join to become one. In cases of conjoined churches, services and rites have evolved to a combination of both Episcopalian and Lutheran liturgies.

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Good Shepherd Rutland

A Lutheran church joined by a Methodist one, a relationship that started with a joint ministry project called Faith on Foot.

RUMC held a special congregational meeting in September to deconsecrate and leave their current building. Operations will be moved into a leased space in our city’s downtown neighborhood and into the campus of Good Shepherd. ... Faith on Foot has evolved from a single ministry project (the weekly Street Reach) into an umbrella of Cooperative Mission between the two churches and a commitment to strengthening the discipleship of everyone involved.

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Bethel Auburn and Zion Worcester

Two Lutheran churches separated geographically but “yoked,” sharing pastoral leadership.

In a landmark move by the Spirit, Bethel Lutheran-Auburn & Zion Lutheran-Worcester sign a Yoking Agreement on 4/12/16. This is a first for the NES, two ELCA parishes covenanting to share pastoral/rostered leadership.

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a church being reborn - stir it up - bishop.nesynod.orgbishop.nesynod.org/goingforward.pdf ·...

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