Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod

Celebrating Platz’ 47 of “Seed Planting”

MDC Synod Communications — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:27:45 +0000

“To share what you have been given, to encourage some glimpse of the caring God – that is all part of the ministry of God’s people in this place,” said the Rev. Elizabeth Platz who was celebrated with a worship service at the Memorial Chapel of the University of Maryland in College Park, Md., on May 6, 2012.

Pr. Platz has served as Chaplain of a multi-faceted campus ministry that provides opportunities for gathering for Word and Sacrament, programs, counseling, service and leadership development. She will soon retire after 47 years in the ministry, which has included the development of the CARing Project and En Camina after school programs engaging students in the community of Langley Park adjacent to the campus and meeting needs of the elementary school there.

“Seed planter” is a way Pr. Platz has described her ministry. “The very momentary nature of ’seed planting’ means that all that is done, each seed provided, should be as fine as it can be. Accepting this role means the willingness to accept and trust the ministry of others never met, the caring of the church beyond itself, and above all, the work of the Holy Spirit…” as quoted in the bulletin from the worship service.

The Rev. Ray Ranker, who will continue planting seeds on campus after Pr. Platz’ retirement, has submitted these photographs from the celebration.

Confirmation Crossword

Karen Krueger — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:47:12 +0000

Committed to finding ways to do ministry “outside the box,” the Rev. Miriam Nicholson shared lots of creative ideas during her Storytelling workshop at the recently-held 2012 Metro D.C. Synod Assembly. One example is this Confirmation Crossword, the first in an annual series of funky ideas turned into permanent art - since 2007 enlivening the space at Messiah Lutheran Church in Elliottsburg, Penn.

In her clues, Pr. Miriam tips, “Remember YOU are also a part of the solution!” because answers are speckled with confirmands’ names. Test your knowledge with the following clues – and click on the image if you need to see a larger version of the end project / answer key.

ACROSS
2. What the poor have (Job 5:16)
4. An old geyser in Yellowstone Park
6. One of the three ways you shall love the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 6:5)
8. The most important word in this puzzle
9. The one who makes us free indeed (John 8:36)
10. Gold or frankincense or myrrh
12. A baby born in Nazareth
15. Moses and Aaron’s sister (Exodus 15:19-21)
17. The one who waited for the Prodigal son (Luke 15:20b)
18. A student who wants to be first (Matthew 19:30)

DOWN
1. Our denomination
2. With 13 Down, one of the names of the Trinity
3. The person who leads and cares for a congregation
5. A student with knowledge of Christian heritage
7. The plural form of the greatest gift (I Corinthians 13:13)
10. A student who is named after an Angel
11. A student with Pentecost colored hair
13. See 2 Down
14. The focus of one of the trees in the garden (Genesis 2:9)
16. A student named after one of the Gospels

“I am delighted to pass on some of the ‘outside the box’ ways that God has provided me for sharing the Gospel,” Pr. Miriam says with characteristic joy.

Thanks Stephen!!

Karen Krueger — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:08:00 +0000

A big thanks for Stephen Padre for his great contributions. People are still filtering out of the hall, but our members and friends near and far already shared in our experience.

Nose around for photos, videos, handouts and other materials which will be posted after we catch our breath.

Great to be together as the 2012 Metro D.C. Synod Assembly.

Keynoter: How do we get to the change we dream about?

Stephen Padre — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:11:05 +0000

Articulating a vision was discussed by our keynote speaker, as was the importance of the Web to churches.

In the third segment of his keynote address, the Rev. Chris Nelson looked at the topic of moving into the future as the Church and as individual congregations.

We know where we are and where we stand, and it’s not all good, but there is no question about how God calls us into the future.

He invited the audience to dream with him, to find a vision for what the future might be. He offered the audience a framework for their dreaming – which is free. It can be – it is – the most important job of the Church’s leadership, Pr. Nelson said. “God has already out-dreamt me,” he added, quoting Ephesians 3:20-21. If you don’t have profound dissatisfaction for the way things are, you have no need to dream, he said.

There is a model for this in the business world. Fast Company magazine featured a strategic planning process called TINA: There Is No Alternative. It is strategic planning by story-telling – dreaming and then asking questions about how you get to that spot.

Technology is huge, Pr. Nelson continued. For example, people usually visit your church first by going to its website. How to leverage this for your congregation’s ministry? Younger people look for an experience on the web, not just for information. It’s got to be interactive.

Pr. Nelson gave an example of one of the stories he wrote as part of the TINA process for his congregation. As they determined strategic directions to get to a certain point in the future, they committed to saying “no” or “not yet” to some things. “When you end up doing everything, you end up doing nothing very well,” he said. Have a laser-like focus, he advised. “The power to say no is the power to focus, and I think that is something that we need to learn how to do.”

He left the audience with two thoughts (paraphrased):

• From Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Our call is not about us but about how to share the Good News of Jesus with the world.
• From Jeremiah: God has plans for us.

The Synod’s Evangelical Mission: Death Leads to Resurrection

Stephen Padre — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:57:12 +0000

The Rev. Phil Hirsch, the synod’s Director for Evangelical Mission and an Assistant to the Bishop, delivered his report. The work of being evangelical is expanding, growing and reaching more people, he said. How are we doing in this? The year 2009 was a great year for adult baptisms in the synod, but they were down for 2010. Worship attendance in the synod continues to decline, as it has steadily since 2004. Only 10 of the synod’s 75 congregations are growing. This is better than other synods, Pastor Hirsch reported.

There have been a number of congregational deaths in the synod, but dying can give rise to new life, as Pr. Hirsch explained. Resurrection Lutheran in Kensington, Md., closed. When it closed, it gave its building to the Oromo Christian Fellowship, one of the synod’s mission congregations. Some of the funds from the closing went to the synod to support the establishment of new congregations. Another congregation, Bethany Lutheran in Suitland, Md., also closed. When the building sold, funds from the sale went all over the church. Some of the funds are going to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran in Haymarket, Virg., to build its first building.

Another death and resurrection: Crusader Lutheran in Rockville, Md., changed its name because it was problematic. The new name is Living Faith Lutheran. This was a courageous act, said Pr. Hirsch.

A new mission start in Northern Virginia (Loudon County) was closed, but Pr. Hirsch said a lot was learned from it.

Other updates:

In the Secret Visitor Initiative, 30 visits happened last year.

Go Grants are still available to congregations to do something on Matthew 25 (“Go and make disciples”).

A daughter church planting conference was held.

A meeting to assess how to reach out to Latino populations was held.

Four new church starts:

•         La Sagrada Familia
•         Oromo Christian Fellowship
•         Global Peace Lutheran
•         River of Grace

Take-home: We want to avoid making what we’re about too complicated. So what are the basics of our faith?

•         Grace
•         Faith: It’s trust in that grace, accepting that we’re already accepted.
•         Christ: Jesus is central and makes grace real.
•         Scripture: The cradle in which we understand Christ.
•         Glory only to God

“People are looking for something to hold on to, something of Christ to come to,” Pr. Hirsch said. There are people like this all over, he explained. They need what we know of in Christ – if we can figure out how to tell our story. What are you willing to die to for the sake of the things listed above? This was the question he asked. We need to change how we “do” church, he concluded.

Second address of keynote speaker: Change is difficult

Stephen Padre — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:44:58 +0000

Pr. Nelson pictured during his lunch workshop

The Rev. Chris Nelson began the second part of his talk by explaining that change is difficult. He said he didn’t intend to force it upon anybody present but just to present the possibilities for change. He said the status quo is the status quo because it works for the people in power.

He provided some context for congregations among the larger community.

He talked about how difficult change is for people in various circumstances – for health, for addiction, etc. However, he said, “I absolutely believe in a God of transformation,” and “I do believe with all my heart that Jesus changes people for the better, and that can be used to change their churches.”

Some points he made:

•         Successful adaptive changes build on the past rather than jettison it.
•         Organizational adaptation occurs through experimentation. (You don’t need to call it “failure.”)
•         Adaptation relies on diversity.
•         New adaptation significantly displace, reregulate and rearrange some old DNA. (Learning can be painful.)

It’s helpful to distinguish technical problems from adaptive challenges, he said. It’s not always easy to make this distinction. You may miss the kind of change you’re dealing with. Leading means messing with people’s comfort zones.

Refusing to risk is unfaithful:

•         We can be risk takers or
•         We can be care takers or
•         We can be undertakers.

The faith we have gives us the strength for change. It comes from God.

There will be resistance to change – the heat will rise.

The adaptive leadership process is a cycle of observe and interpret and intervene.

(Many of the PowerPoint slides that Pastor Nelson showed, points he made and concepts he drew from came from the research of Heifez, R., Grashow, A. and Linsky M. [2009] The Practice of Adaptive Leadership.)

Business continues on Saturday morning

Stephen Padre — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:39:47 +0000

With coffee, a hymn and a prayer, the assembly warmed up, gathered and reconvened for its business on Saturday morning.

Bishop Crist led a Bible study for early risers. The first item of business was the report of the vice president of the synod council, Dr. John White. It was followed by the report of the secretary, The Rev. John Bradford. Results of the first ballot from yesterday for synod council and 2013 Churchwide Assembly positions were announced, and a second ballot was held.

The Rev. Dave Sonnenberg gave the report of the Synod Stewardship and Mission Table. The group’s purpose is to be a resource for the synod’s congregations to help them with their own stewardship efforts and to help them grow in supporting the ministry of the synod and larger church.

The group has recommended to congregations:

a narrative budget as a way of telling the story and presenting their ministry. There are examples for doing this on the synod’s website.
a quarterly giving update with a mission letter as a way to share stories of the progress of ministries
targeted letters to different groups (not one size fits all)
sending thank-you notes to those who pledge. Tip: Use blue ink!
Have a new member process that speaks about stewardship clearly and sets giving as an expectation.
The pastor’s role is essential. He/she needs to know what people give and needs to be an example of generosity.
Recommended books on stewardship strategy and practices, theology of stewardship and devotional resources – a list is on the synod website (under For Congregations)
Stay connected to the group on Twitter and through the synod website. Members of the group are available for questions and as a resource.

The offering from yesterday’s Festive Eucharist service that was taken for the ELCA Malaria Campaign totaled $2,611.50, as reported by John Handley, synod treasurer.

The synod’s mission spending plan (budget) was considered again after it was presented yesterday. It was voted upon and adopted.

Nancy Myers from Thrivent brought greetings.

The Reference and Counsel committee gave their report, which means the group considered resolutions presented to the committee.

A resolution on Iran – praying for and promoting peace – was considered. With one alteration, the resolution was adopted.

A resolution on Lutheran Association of Christian Educators was considered. The resolution encourages congregations to use the expertise and resources of the association. The resolution was adopted.

Rostered leaders who are marking significant anniversaries of their ordinations were recognized. Former Bishop Harold Jansen, marking the 55th anniversary of his ordination, received a standing ovation, and he offered a few words about the evolution of Lutheran church bodies over the years. He reflected for a few minutes on the past, and the current issue, he said, is where we go from here. It’s something we need to pray for, that the voice of Christians is heard, that the wisdom of the Gospel is shared. He offered a prayer for the work of the Church and asked for God’s blessing to the Church – a very pastoral and bishop-like prayer. The “warmth and texture of God’s grace is what you have offered,” said Bishop Graham following the prayer.

Keynote Speaker’s First Address Introduces “Re-presenting the Faith”

Stephen Padre — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:47:33 +0000

The Rev. Chris Nelson is Senior Pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, the founding congregation of Spirit Garage and Jacob’s Well. He came to the assembly to give us ways to speak with ease about our faith. The question he was invited to speak on is “Why church?.” In introductory remarks, the Rev. Phil Hirsch, an Assistant to the Bishop in the synod, named that question as following the question of “Why Jesus?” (why we choose to follow Christ) on our re-resenting our faith journey.

Pr. Nelson began by speaking about two forms of the Church – the denomination and the synod. Lutherans need each other for accountability and things we can’t do alone. Congregations in the ELCA are interdependent, along with synods and the Churchwide organization.

He echoed the words of Bishop Crist: “We are in this together,” and that is what we need to talk about when talking about the Church, he said.

He provided statistics on the state of ELCA congregations, and many of them show a decline in membership. In light of this, how can there be a revival in spirituality? He presented questions stemming from these challenging stats, like: How can the ELCA not be part of this conversation?

The ELCA has a lot to offer in terms of the way it approaches theology – comfort with ambiguity, a focus on the cross. Therefore, we as the ELCA have every reason to contribute to the conversation about spirituality, he proposed.

How does the business world operate in terms of human behavior? A noted author – Jim Collins – says it invites exploration of things like:

•         “Confront the brutal facts”
•         “A culture of discipline”
•         Others

The steps of decline of business that Collins has determined, which Pr. Nelson thinks can apply to the ELCA:

Stage 1: Hubris born of success
•         Successful entitlement, arrogance
•         Neglect of a primary “flywheel…” (the thing that turns and makes things work)
•         “What” replaces “Why”
•         Declining in Learning Orientation

Stage 2: The undisciplined pursuit of more
•         Bureaucracy subverts discipline
•         Problematic succession of power

Stage 3: Denial
•         Amplify the positive, discount the negative
•         Erosion of healthy team dynamics
•         Externalizing blame

Stage 4: Grasping for Salvation
•         Lurching for a silver bullet
•         Panic and haste
•         Radical change and revolution with fanfare
•         Hype precedes results
•         Confusion and cynicism

“There is a danger that we in the ELCA can become irrelevant if we continue our slide,” Pr. Nelson said.

His conclusions:

•         It is too easy for us to say that business experience has nothing to do with churches.
•         God has not abandoned us. It is not God’s failure. It is ours.
•         There is no quick fix, only very difficult – but good – work.

Why does it matter? Nelson told a story about a woman in Denmark whom he met and who, after 30 years of marriage, had gotten divorced and felt very lost and alone. Nelson asked how many other women in the world were like this who could find a home and a welcome in the Church. He urged us to be good listeners to those around us.

Bishop’s Report: Synod Doing Great Things

Stephen Padre — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:11:11 +0000

Not duplicating his written report*, Bishop Graham highlighted some exciting happenings in the synod in his oral remarks.

Two congregations in the synod, both in Maryland, have closed their doors, and this has allowed the synod to dream and do some things that it may not have thought possible.
Young adult ministries among us have been blossoming.
A ministry has been started, in partnership with the Delaware-Maryland Synod, with people from India.
“We’re doing some great things, and that’s part of what we’ve come together to talk about,” Bishop Graham said.

Another exciting thing that the synod is contributing to is the ELCA Malaria Campaign, and he called on Dorothy Sorrell to encourage members and congregations to support it.

In conclusion, Bishop Graham said that he prays that those gathered together in assembly will come to a better understanding of our church, ourselves and our Lord’s claim on us.

Editor’s note: Bishop Grahams written remarks, “Is there a pattern?” have been posted to the Forum blog.