Becoming Congregations of Belonging

We exist in a human society that fights for our time, attention, and trust. Any marketing and advertising professional would agree that human attention is the new currency: if one cannot earn someone’s attention, then forget about earning their money.

In the church world—in Christian ministry as we proclaim the good news—we are not compelled by money or by any transactional motive; instead, we are galvanized by the things that heal and repair creation. Still, we should be mindful about attention, time, and trust, because we minister to people whose attention is continuously fragmented by the dozens of entities investing millions of dollars to purchase their attention.

How can we compete with such a reality? Perhaps we stop competing and ask better questions. What do people value? Where do people find trust?  What matters to those around us? This is what we aim to do at UnReserved, an inaugural gathering with the diversity of humanity that our Divine Parent has created. It is so much more than just another gathering or training; we’ll get at the heart of communicating the gospel to a humanity that is saturated with competing voices.

You’re invited to join us on Saturday, September 19 at the Metro D.C. Synod office (St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C.). We will hear from leaders from the Multiethnic and Intersectional Network of the ELCA—these are some of the most gifted and experienced lay leaders, seminarians, and rostered ministers that I know.

 

 

They will lead us through church dynamics, ministry challenges, and stories of authenticity, hope, curiosity and belonging. Collectively, we shall put our full attention towards becoming congregations that better embody our neighborhoods and intentionally exist for those who are yet to enter our churches. We’ll leave equipped to make room for those neighbors who are ready to put down the algorithms and advertisements of separation, hate, discrimination, and indifference. Such things are not compatible with the good news of Jesus. Let us gather to be the humanity that places our full attention on the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen!

If you have not yet registered, please sign up today! Space is limited.

In justice and peace,
Pastor Moses

Rev. Dr. Moses Barrios (el/he)
Assistant to the Bishop, Metro DC Synod, ELCA