What's the difference between those two sets of questions? The first set reflects an antiquated set of church metrics often called "butts, bucks, and buildings." In this mindset, a successful congregation is full of people, rolling in money, and enjoying a large campus.

The second set reflects a 21st century church metric, "engagement," that measures vibrancy and vitality, but also sustainability, in the church. In this mindset, a successful congregation is full of engaged people, on fire for Jesus and the mission and ministry to which we have been called.

According to PushPay, a church leadership platform, "Engagement is about the church calling, equipping, and charging its members to do the work of the ministry. It can be the difference between exponential growth and incremental growth. And it turns every person [at Zion] into a resource you can count on instead of a body you count.

The future of [Zion] depends on [our] ability to engage the people in it. Building a better, cooler, and more attractive church isn’t the best way to grow your congregation and keep younger generations invested. Millennials don’t want to be catered to: they want to be absorbed into a mission they believe in."

So, how engaged are you at Zion? This is an easy metric to measure, in that it only involves showing up and participating in the life of the church both in worship and the ongoing life of the community, with an emphasis on the latter.

Below is a list of most of the activities, projects, and initiatives that Zion has hosted over the last program year. Some are ongoing, some were self-contained. Some involved time and talent, some involved treasure. If this were a checklist, with how many of the activities below were you engaged (present and participatory)?

Acts Bible Study

Blessing of the Animals

DFB Fall Festival

Art4Healing: Advent Edition

Art4 Healing: Easter Edition

Domestic Violence Awareness Resource Fair

BSO Thanksgiving Dinner

Advent Bible Study & Prayer at the End of the Day (Virtual)

3rd Annual Reverse Advent Calendar ($ and Supplies)

1st Annual Casual Christmas Worship Service

Alleluia Banner Making

Lent Bible Study & Prayer at the End of the Day (Hybrid)

Holy Week Special Worship Services

Faith & Film Series

DFB Pioneer Days

Global Farm Project ($)

Back to School: Glue Stick Collection (Supplies)

We want our members and friends to be more than a metric of bodies and attendance. We all mean more than that.

We want a community of people, a family, a body of Christ we can count on, people who "just show up," ask how they can be a part of God's work here at Zion, and get busy with meaningful ministry that has a kingdom impact.

My hope and prayer is that you want that, too.

In Christ,

Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt

Thanks to the generosity of Zion and Evergreen Academy, we sent $1,053 to ELCA World Hunger for the Summer Global Farm Challenge. And due to the matching grant, our contribution became $2,106! Thank YOU!

TONIGHT Wednesday, August 10th

Come and enjoy fellowship and discussion! You are invited to bring anything to eat or drink – whatever you'd like to enjoy with each movie.

Teachers and Students: Don't forget to show up for worship this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in person. Not only will we bless you and pray for your year ahead, we will have special gifts just for you!

Three winners will be chosen to receive the $75,000 upgrade. Vote at NiagaraPerkYourPark.com for Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex! You can vote once per day until the polls close on September 12.

Thursday, September 22nd at 7:00 p.m.

Coral Springs Center for the Arts

Because of our partnership with Deerfield Beach Community Cares, Zion has been hosting the county-wide rehearsals for "This is My Brave." This production will be an amazing opportunity to hear local first hand stories of survival, resilience, and determination in the face of unspeakable challenges.

If you are interested in attending, please let Cantor Kurt Schmidt know and he will reserve your ticket(s). Alternatively, you may purchase your own tickets by calling the Coral Springs Center for the Arts Box Office or clicking here.