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This past week I had the privilege and joy with Synod Colleagues to present a workshop about the work of the Metro DC Stewardship and Mission Support Table at the Stewardship Kaleidoscope conference in Savannah, Georgia. The conference was started by the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and has grown to be a partnership with the ELCA. These few days were an opportunity to be a presenter and a learner as pastors and lay leaders gathered to share ideas, hopes, fears, challenges, and possibilities for ministry.
It was reaffirming and encouraging to hear that the questions we are asking at LCOC are the questions that are being asked across denominations and congregations. While there are challenges for the church, we have hope because Jesus lived, died, and rose again. As I reflect on the learnings from the conference and connect the learnings to ways that LCOC can live into this next season of ministry, I offer these thoughts and questions that can serve as “building blocks” for our next steps:
Everything we do is because of, about, and in response to God’s love for the world. God is faithful…God is alive and actively at work in this world.
Where do you see God active in your life and at LCOC?
We can do more together – ministry is about partnerships, collaboration, and teamwork.
What team will you be a part to help LCOC share God’s love in this community?
What step can we take this month to build a community partnership?
Building relationships are important – we do this as we intentionally listen to each other, as we share our highs and lows, send notes and/or prayer cards, and call each other.
Who will you reach out to this month to listen to and encourage?
We connect with God and each other through stories – Jesus taught in stories…we understand how we are a part of God’s story as we explore scripture and as we share our God moment stories – YOU have an important story to tell.
How is God at work in your life and through the ministry of LCOC?
What difference is this making in people’s lives?
With whom will you share this story this month?
It is fun to invite and to be invited – people want to experience the joy of belonging to a community and appreciate being invited. Sometimes, it simply takes an invitation…
Whom will you invite to a ministry event at LCOC and/or to be a part of a ministry team?
I invite you into the joy and fun as together we partner with God to love and care for each other and our neighbors!
Pastor Darcy
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