1. We Are Connected
April 10, 2019

2. The “myth” of the individual
What are human beings?
Politics: Free individuals making choices about our lives through the exercise of whatever power is at our disposal?
Economics: Self-interested individuals making choices based on our preferences to satisfy our unlimited wants?
Sociology: Individuals inextricably bound up in networks of interdependence
Christianity: Creatures made by a gracious and loving God for relationship with God, other people, and the whole creation
Isolation can be incredibly destructive
Psychologically, physiologically, physically, emotionally, we are not meant to be alone
Genesis 1 and 2, especially 2:18

3. Humans are social creatures
Areas of life that require community/connection
Family
Commerce/Business
Production
Buying/Selling
Education
Religion
Politics
Healthcare
Transportation
Agriculture
Domestication/Herding
Athletics
Music/Art/Entertainment
Areas of life that don’t require community/connection
???????

4. We are connected
Think about some of the words we use to describe ourselves
Church – the “called out” ones, those who gather in response to God’s call in Christ by the Holy Spirit
Community – a group of people joined together (com) into one (unitatis)
Congregation – those who gather together for a specific purpose
Parish – from Gk. Paroikos, meaning “to dwell alongside”
Family – those related to one another by blood or marriage or choice; a grouping of related things
Note the use of the language of kinship in the church – brother, sister, father, etc.

5. Connections within the church
Congregation – a gathering of individuals and/or families in one place for the purpose of worship and serving God
Cluster/Conference – a group of congregations related (often geographically) that engage in shared ministry or mutual support
Rolling Hills Cluster stretches from Falls City to Avoca, and from Nebraska City to Cook and Burr
Synod – a group of congregations “on the way” together [Synod = syn (“with”) and hodos (“road/way/path/street”)
Region – A group of synods that coordinate to share some ministries more locally than at the “Churchwide” level

6. Connections (Continued)
Churchwide expression – Includes the shared ministry of congregations and synods, as well other organizations that exist because of the mutual support given by congregations and synods.
Companion synods/churches
United Evangelical Lutheran Church (Argentina and Uruguay)
Northern Diocese, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
Full Communion Partners
UCC (1997), RCA (1997), PCUSA (1997), MC (1999), ECUSA (1999), UMC (2009)
Global Church Organizations
World Council of Churches
Lutheran World Federation

7. Connections (continued)
Ecumenical Dialogue
African Methodist Episcopal (AME)
African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (DoC)
Mennonite Church USA
The Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church
Interfaith Dialogue/Relations
Lutheran – Jewish
Lutheran - Muslim

8. Connections (Continued)
Nebraska Synod Serving Arms
Blue Valley Lutheran Homes
Good Shepherd Lutheran Community
Immanuel
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska
Lutheran Planned Giving Services
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Midland University
Mosaic
Nebraska Lutheran Campus Ministry
Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
Oaks Indian Mission
Tabitha Homes
Wartburg Theological Seminary
Mission Field Nebraska
Table Grace Café
Lakota Lutheran Center and Capel
Iglesia Luterana San Andres
United Southeast Asian Ministry
Fontenelle Community Church
Sudanese Messiah Worshipping Comm.
Followers of Christ Prison Ministry
Nile Lutheran Chapel
All the Children of God (ESL Ministry)

9. We Are Connected Through Christ
John 15:1-17 – Christ is the vine, we the branches
Life is found in connection with the vine
Fruitfulness relies on our connection to the vine
Philippians 1:3-11
Koinonia – participatory partnership
Mutual support
Suffering
Encouragement
Prayer
Memory/Tradition
Worship
Love

10. We are connected