ATTENTION: The date for the Fanning the Flames of Mission event has been changed to Saturday, November 3. More
The Church exists by mission, just as the fire exists by burning. -Emil Brunner, 1931
We have come to believe that stewardship and mission are inextricably linked. Rather than asking, “How can we raise enough money to do what we’ve always done?” we invite congregational pastors and leaders to explore how we can organize all of our resources—time, money, relationships, buildings, passion, and people—to respond to God’s gracious activity in Christ.
Through the synod's fall stewardship emphasis, "Fanning the Flames of Mission," participants will have a chance to see, hear, and experience the many ways that God’s mission is alive and well in our congregations and communities. Of course, no two situations are the same, and there are some congregations who seem to have caught fire with a vision and passion for ministry, while others struggle so much to keep the home fires burning that their missional energy is sputtering. Our hope and desire is that every congregation become a vibrant community of faith, witness, and service, deeply engaged in relationships with God’s word, with each other, and with their surrounding context.
We hope you will come to these events to consider ways that we, as congregations and people, can be ignited by the Holy Spirit and fan the flames of mission to make a difference in the world.
Background
These events will build off of the spring ministerium, in which Luther Seminary professor Mary Sue Dreier helped rostered leaders wrestle with the question, “What is God calling us to be and do in this time and place?” These events are also being shaped in response to the LIFT task force recommendations, adopted by the 2011 Churchwide Assembly, which “request congregations, in collaboration with synods, to begin, develop, review, or redefine their unique mission plans by the end of 2012, so that each congregation strengthens its capabilities and resources for witness and mission.”
Fueling our Missional Fire
Monday, October 15, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Luther Seminary, Chapel of the Incarnation
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson will speak to pastors and congregational leaders in the Saint Paul Area and Minneapolis Area Synods and the Luther Seminary community about the missional activity of the ELCA throughout the United States and the world as we live out our call to be faithful stewards of all God entrusts to us.
No cost to attend. Reservations not required.
Fanning the Flames of Mission
DATE CHANGE: Saturday, November 3, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon, Roseville Lutheran Church
8:30 a.m. Coffee and registration
9:00 a.m. Opening comments by Bishop Rogness
9:30 a.m. Breakout session 1
10:45 a.m. Breakout session 2
Breakout Sessions
The mission field right outside your doors
Presented by leaders from Lakeview, Maplewood, and Newport Lutheran, Newport
We don’t have to look very far to find opportunities for mission and for engaging in God’s work in the world. Leaders from congregations will share how they have been enlivened by engaging in new mission in their neighborhoods. Participants will have an opportunity to consider how they might reach out to their communities in new ways.
Are you wearing mission-colored lenses?
Presented by leaders from St. Anthony Park, St. Paul, and Prince of Peace, Burnsville
Some of the congregations in our synod are reinventing themselves using mission to the community and to the world as the lens through which all their activities and staffing are evaluated. During this workshop, you will hear stories from congregations who are engaged in this process and be able to consider whether this is a model for your congregation to follow.
The world begins at our doors
Presented by leaders from Christ the King, New Brighton, and Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Roseville
Connecting the congregation with the neighborhood, the world and the activity of the ELCA is one way to build a congregation’s missional identity. Congregations which have strong partnerships with the ELCA will share how this has enlivened their life together and their outreach efforts. Participants will be able to consider ways that they might strengthen their partnership with the missional activity of our Church.
Registration
While there is no cost to attend this event, RSVPs are required to help us plan materials and accommodations. Registration ends Thursday, October 25.
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