Crow River Conference Meeting Nov. 2016

God embraces us in God’s grace God’s mission is for the whole world God’s mission has a church Equip God’s people

Equip What a synod good for… One word….Perfectly positioned to equip people for ministry Other work as well but this is the center of all we do

Equip - All God’s People Not just the pastors or rostered ministers... All God’s baptized Call Committee Councils Youth leaders

Deepen Congregational Vitality

Equip Bible Study – Catechism Connection

Life Giving Piety Everyday Reformers Practicing our Faith

Turnaround for our Congregations, Synod, Institutions and Churchwide Organization Beth Lewis the CEO of Augsburg Fortress “How did this happen?” Listen, test, learn. Communicate a clear vision. Grow, hold, fold Identify and retain the best talent Drive out complexity Provide creative space and the best tools you can afford.

118 Partnerships – To serve Jesus in our Mission Field Two Points Three Points Asymmetrical Partnership – Large and Small Institution – Congregation Four Points Area Parish

Under 50 People at Worship – 100 - Research –Scholarships Pr. Matt Philaya from Salem from Montevideo Swan Lake Lutheran – Lafayette – Fields of Grace Parish First English – Walnut Grove Big Grove – Brooten – Big Grove, Crow River and Grace Parish One of the things we are doing is entering into a research project Rollie Martinson and Jay Beech 100 congregations fewer than a hundred

Generosity Nurtured - How to Measure Generosity Five Practices 1. Voluntary Financial Giving 2. Volunteering 3. Relational Generosity 4. Neighborly Generosity 5. Self Evaluated Generosity This book was lifted up in our class. It sounds fascinating. See the subtitle - Giving we receive - grasping we lose. I think Jesus said something like that. https://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Generosity-Giving-Receive- Grasping/dp/0199394903

Enhance Local and Global Mission

Greg Vandell – Better Together Food Packing Event

Better Together

Global Mission – Life Transforming Pilgrimage – Young Adults 18-40 Terry Thompson – Ebenezer Kandiyohi

Develop Servant Leaders Common Prayer Woman and Justice Doctrine of Discovery Lay Preacher

Continuing Education Great experiences Books – Audible Input on Fall Theo Conferences Systems Extraordinary Leadership Use as an evaluation tool Biblical History Pastoral Care Service Spirituality Online Take Groups with you

Intracultural Development Inventory

Fund Raising is Ministry

Seminary Enrollment

Ministerial Excellence Fund – Lilly Endowment – Economic Challenges of Pastors and Congregations

Welcome – Our goal is to equip you to share the story of our work to share the Story… Congregational Ambassadors make our Funding initiative Visible in the Life of the congregations they relate to in a variety of ways.

What are we asking you to do? We are asking you to interpret our Funding Initiative and Lilly Project to your congregation and a couple more. Steps Make appointment – Let us know – Letter is sent Connect with Pastor and or President Ask what is the best way to share this story and invite support Council – Governance Wednesday Night Sunday Morning

What are we asking you to do? Conversation happens to find best path Informal Formal Research web / human intelligence Invite support as passion and capacity allows Share stories of equipping to share Gods’ Story Development – Relationships and Resources

Questions?

Funding Initiative Deepen Congregational Vitality Enhance Local and Global Mission Develop Servant Leaders Lilly Project is a subset Lilly Project – title