tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1134210226395342064.post-89854228368302402662007-06-14T06:46:00.000-07:002007-06-14T07:21:10.843-07:00Our LIFE steering team, executive team, and church council have been going through a discernment process. We have been invited by the bishop of the Central States Synod to join<br />the Partners for Missional Church process. We are reading the book entitled, We Are Here Now, by Patrick Keiffert. We have also been a part of the Natural Development Process and have used some of their evaluative tools for shaping ministry at STHS. The church council attended a Saturday seminar entitled, Breakthrough Leadership Conference with other congregations of our South County ELCA cluster and learned about leadership training resources. We have also taken interest in two other programs, one developed by Pastor Dave<br />Daubert and the other an ELCA Transformational Ministry program. <br /><br />The PMC offers transformational adaptive change for the congregation for a 3-5 year by-in process. PMC would train leaders and eventually involve about 75% of the congregation.<br /><br />The other programs train leaders on a shorter term basis specializing in technical change.<br />All have cost factors in terms of time committment and money committment.<br /><br />We have asked the director of our ELCA Metro Coalition, Terry Moore, to help guide us<br />through the discerment process. We have met twice with Terry and are using some<br />scientific method systems for decision making for finding our core values in determining<br />direction. It is not an easy process. We have gone through what we think are strengths<br />and weakness of the processes and programs. We hope to have a decision by the end of<br />summer. All of our deliberations have been shaped by a dwelling in Scripture and prayer.<br /><br />This is where we are for now. Please continue to pray for our church and its leaders.<br />As culture moves away from church and the Gospel's message, it is important for us to<br />learn to connect and offer God's grace in ways that engage the heart, soul, and mind of<br />all. Remember God so loved the world . . . . . . . .<br /><br />We are here for now<br /><br />Pastor TomPastor Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022653582846326096noreply@blogger.com