Vision Passion Action Phase 2 Implementation

VPA In Action History –2005 Call to Conversation: 16 gatherings –2006 Workgroups develop plans: Identity, Discipleship/Evangelism, Conflict –2007 Phase 1: Developed Purpose, Goals & Guiding Principles –2008+ Phase 2: Alignment - Determine how we live into our vision and guiding principles while making progress on goals.

How do we Align with our Purpose? Alignment with our vision will depend on 2 things: –What we focus on –How we work together In January 2009 Synod Council met to consider these questions.

What we focus on GOALS

VPA Goals Identity Discipleship Evangelism Congregational Health Connections

Focus After review current synod activities, three potential priorities emerged: –Connections (lay leaders, congregations, conferences, ministries) –Healthy Leaders & Congregations –Faith Formation in congregations Specific attention to each of these areas will build capacity for future efforts.

How we work together Relationships & Roles

Relationships: Old ELCA Synod Congregations

Accompaniment Accompaniment means walking together in solidarity, characterized by mutuality and interdependence. In this walk we share gifts, experiences, and resources, but also advice and admonition that will assist both companions for expanding and deepening the capacity for ministry.

Relationships: New

Road to Relationship

Obstacles along the Road to Relationship

Relationships

Role ModelsLocalizedCentralized Activities coordinated by members. Money goes from congregations to ministries. Activities coordinated by synod. Money goes through synod to ministries.

RolesLocalizedCentralized No one place is better than another. Line moves with the needs and strength of synod

Weak Relationships & RolesLocalizedCentralized Core functions not adequately fundedCore functions not adequately funded Flavor of the day fundingFlavor of the day funding Synod dumping responsibility on congregationsSynod dumping responsibility on congregations Congregations unsupporedCongregations unsuppored Big BrotherBig Brother Little say in decisionsLittle say in decisions Little accountabilityLittle accountability Feel out of touchFeel out of touch Vote with walletVote with wallet

Strong Relationships & RolesLocalizedCentralized Congregations choose priorities & resource themCongregations choose priorities & resource them Congregations collaborate to meet emerging needsCongregations collaborate to meet emerging needs Congregations feel connected and supportedCongregations feel connected and supported People feel empoweredPeople feel empowered Ministry support centralized and stableMinistry support centralized and stable Less need for ministries local fundraisingLess need for ministries local fundraising Less duplication of effortLess duplication of effort More sharing across ministriesMore sharing across ministries Economies of scaleEconomies of scale People feel supportedPeople feel supported

Next Steps Improve relationships within synod structure Strengthen conferences and clarify role of conference Deans Council make recommendations about changes to assembly in Will you accompany me?