One of the first questions people ask me when we begin a conversation about forming or renewing a district or fellowship is, “Why would we do that?” It’s a good question. After all, we have functioned perfectly well for twenty years with only a small portion of our congregations being actively involved in a district or fellowship. Why would we want to change that? The time when everyone in our association knew everyone ... [...]
In June, leaders from ten existing and potential districts and fellowships, along with LCMC staff, had their annual meeting at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles, IL. The gathering was an excellent opportunity for the staff to learn more about the priorities and concerns of leaders, for the various districts and fellowships to share their stories, and for those considering forming (or re-forming) a district or fellowship to get some ... [...]
It’s great to be aboard the LCMC national staff as Coordinator for Districts and Fellowships. While this is a brand new position, LCMC’s commitment to districts and fellowships goes back to our earliest days. Our founding documents highlight local, grassroots partnerships as crucial for congregational support in carrying out their missions. Districts can be places for shared mission endeavors, collegiality and ... [...]
Plans are well under way for the 2019 Annual Gathering and Convention, September 29 - October 2 in Omaha, Nebraska. Our theme this year is “Listen Up!” We will spend our time together considering the challenges that come in our attempts to hear clearly. How do we listen for God’s callings in our lives? How do we listen to the needs of our neighbors? How do we listen across generational ... [...]