Report to the 2017 ELCA Southeastern Synod Assembly
Report to the 2017 ELCA Southeastern Synod Assembly Mr. Wayne M. Fell, Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) – full-time Rev. Ronald Bonner, Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) – part-time Wayne became the fulltime DEM in October and Ron became the halftime DEM in January. We work well as a team and there is great chemistry. Although the work has been split, both DEMs consult with each other on an ongoing basis. The Planting Fund does not provide enough revenue to support our expected financial needs even with the increasing of the Linn Fund part from 20% to 40%. The Mission Outreach & Renewal Committee (MORC) continues to be proactive in its efforts in the Synod. Please see the separate report from the Committee. Wayne resigned as Chair of the Committee when he assumed the DEM position and there are now co-chairs; Randy Marek-normal operations & Rev. Gary Christensen-Transformational Ministry 2.0 (explained below). New Starts Three New Starts have been discontinued and we are working on three new opportunities. It is agreed that we must be much more discerning about new ministries in order to increase the number that ultimately sustain themselves. None of the current new opportunities are ready to be proposed. Current New Starts are being requested to develop their own sustainability plans. Renewing Congregations There are currently four formal Redevelopments compared to six in the prior year. St. John’s Lutheran Church-Atlanta, GA. came to a successful conclusion and Christ Lutheran ChurchNashville, TN. withdrew from the program. The DEMs are overwhelmed by churches requesting help with their declining results. The ELCA has a renewal program called Transformational Ministry 2.0 which we are bringing to our Synod. It takes clusters (usually 10) of churches and takes them through a renewal process. Training for our Trainers is June 15-17. There will be two groups of Trainers; one in Georgia and one in Tennessee. This will be announced to the Synod Assembly at a Workshop given twice.
B-5
Multicultural, Ethnic, and Poverty Ministries Finding true Mission Developers in the number one problem. Both Wayne & Ron are taking the training to become ELCA Certified Behavioral Interviewers. This is the formal process to determine if someone is a true Mission Developer. We have also met with the Candidacy Committee to establish ongoing communication about potential people who may have the gifts we are seeking. This is an ongoing challenge at both the Synod and National levels. Conclusion While we could complain about all our challenges, we like to think they present a lot of opportunities. God is calling us to do some great things in the Southeastern Synod. Through God, all things are possible. Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities (SAWCs) 1.Die Deutsche Kirchengemeide in Atlanta 2.St. Barnabas, Jefferson City, TN. 3.Lutheran/Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, Lumberton, MS. 4.Kiswahili Lutheran Mission, Nashville (2 locations) 5.Philippians Korean Mission, Johns Creek, GA. 6.Hope International, Doraville, GA. 7.Atlanta Beer & Hymns and Bar Church, Atlanta, GA. 8.North Metro Atlanta Latino Mission 9. All Welcome, Tifton, GA. 10.Gathered by Grace, Montgomery, AL. Congregations under Development and Alternative Worshipping Communities 11.Inglesia Luterana de Cristo, Oakwood, GA. 12.Inglesia Luterana Sagrada Familia, Doraville, GA. 13.Celebration of Grace, Canton, GA. (organized 5-15-2016) 14.Atlanta Telegu Lutheran Mission, Norcross, GA. 15.St. Paul Alternative Worshipping Community, Decatur, GA. 16.DongHang Korean Mission, Duluth, GA. Official Redevelopments Receiving ELCA Partnership Support 17.Christ Lutheran Church, Prattville, AL. 2017 $15,000, 2018 $12,000 2019 $8,000 18.Faith Lutheran Church, Warner Robins, GA. 2017 $10,000 2018 $5,000 19.Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Savannah, GA. 2017 $18,000 20.Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Daphne, AL. 2017 $22,500 2018 $20,000
B-5
B-5
Multicultural, Ethnic, and Poverty Ministries Finding true Mission Developers in the number one problem. Both Wayne & Ron are taking the training to become ELCA Certified Behavioral Interviewers. This is the formal process to determine if someone is a true Mission Developer. We have also met with the Candidacy Committee to establish ongoing communication about potential people who may have the gifts we are seeking. This is an ongoing challenge at both the Synod and National levels. Conclusion While we could complain about all our challenges, we like to think they present a lot of opportunities. God is calling us to do some great things in the Southeastern Synod. Through God, all things are possible. Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities (SAWCs) 1.Die Deutsche Kirchengemeide in Atlanta 2.St. Barnabas, Jefferson City, TN. 3.Lutheran/Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, Lumberton, MS. 4.Kiswahili Lutheran Mission, Nashville (2 locations) 5.Philippians Korean Mission, Johns Creek, GA. 6.Hope International, Doraville, GA. 7.Atlanta Beer & Hymns and Bar Church, Atlanta, GA. 8.North Metro Atlanta Latino Mission 9. All Welcome, Tifton, GA. 10.Gathered by Grace, Montgomery, AL. Congregations under Development and Alternative Worshipping Communities 11.Inglesia Luterana de Cristo, Oakwood, GA. 12.Inglesia Luterana Sagrada Familia, Doraville, GA. 13.Celebration of Grace, Canton, GA. (organized 5-15-2016) 14.Atlanta Telegu Lutheran Mission, Norcross, GA. 15.St. Paul Alternative Worshipping Community, Decatur, GA. 16.DongHang Korean Mission, Duluth, GA. Official Redevelopments Receiving ELCA Partnership Support 17.Christ Lutheran Church, Prattville, AL. 2017 $15,000, 2018 $12,000 2019 $8,000 18.Faith Lutheran Church, Warner Robins, GA. 2017 $10,000 2018 $5,000 19.Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Savannah, GA. 2017 $18,000 20.Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Daphne, AL. 2017 $22,500 2018 $20,000
B-5
