Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person--questions, complexities and all. Elder meetings. Youre not in the drivers seatI am Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Burlington ON, L7R 3Y8, Canada: 905.336.2920 Its the key to ministryLeadership. Staff Teams, Elder Boards, and Boards of Directors can do this. ELCA pastor shares how rest is necessary for spiritual well-being. Walking with my Lord Dear Lord, thank You for Your love, especially when life is tough. In 2019 and 2020 we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran The 5 minute devotion for church leaders meeting is a tool for you to use when leading a morning devotion in your church. It gives leaders just enough time to make an impact on those attending. We know that sometimes you are unable to meet with everyone so this short devotion is perfect! Are your leaders getting the most from their meetings? Youre my dearest friends! Meeting togetherin person or more often now onlineis an important way to stay connected. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Luther Seminary grads are educated to lead Christian communities called and sent to witness to salvation through Jesus Christ and serve in Gods world. In Johns Gospel, salvation means life, eternal life, life in Gods kingdom, abundant life, starting now and continuing in the resurrection. We have seasons in our lives as stewards of all that God entrusted to us, too. The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself (Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 9:23, 12:29. Shaping relationships between the churchwide organization and independent, cooperative, and related Lutheran organizations. Over 50 times we read examples of the Apostles relying not on their own intelligence, abilities, or energies, but on the Spirit. Sometimes we even leave an open chair to symbolically remind us that Jesus is present to preside over our meeting. There is a place for you among our nearly 10,000 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Martin Luther was eight years old when Christopher Columbus set sail from Europe and landed in the Western Hemisphere. Each devotion it contains was written by a pastor or lay member of our Virginia Synod, around the theme of stewardship Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church. WebTo the Leader: Copy the reverse side of this sheet so that each person at the meeting has access to a copy for the dcvotional period. I know the tendency to get caught up in our cultures way of leading. If your council meets monthly then there are enough devotionals here to cover a full year. The annual meeting is usually planned by the Congregation Council and led by the council president. Instead of pushing for decisions pray first. Wait Until You Get to the Corner Over 3,000 readers subscribe to the daily email posts. As we walk in this world, do we trust that the Spirit is going before us? With gratitude for those who have gone before and hope for the future, the ELCA gives thanks to God for the ministry of women. In Jesus name. Chapter 3Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. Our process of quietly listening to God in our board meeting slows us down and we have learned to appreciate this. While being dispersed across various locations, our teams can use these meetings as a time to come together and build unity. Reporting its actions to the Churchwide Assembly. Im sad to say that Ive learned from many of the pastors and leaders that I talk to that this scenario is common today in staff and board meetings for our churches and Christian organizations. What you want to grow toward is becoming the kind of person who isnaturallyaware of, listening to, and relying upon the Spirit of Christ in your dreaming, decision-making processes, and in all that you do! Even worse, on a number of occasions in a church meeting Ive even heard someone say, We have to get right down to business today so we dont have time to pray.. The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is both the board of directors of a Minnesota nonprofit corporation and the interim legislative authority of the churchwide organization, one of the three expressions of a denomination with deep roots in the U.S. Ministry event meetings. WebUse for committee and council meetings; or copy and duplicate the bulletin inserts to distribute to the whole congregation in worship or in your newsletter. Sometimes its a little better than this and somebody begins the meeting with a short prayer or devotional from the Bible. Whatever the setting, it helps if people clear their calendars, turn off their cell phones, and stay off their computers! A recent message about fear by Sonia Solomonson reads, We can choose to let our light shine, to use the gifts weve been given, to be a positive presence, to love. Verse 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Jesus Christ is our Master in all things. We actually looked forward to our meetings! Congregation vice -president Preside at meetings of the congregation, executive committee or council at the request or in the absence of the president. MSG). This is Gods mystery: the Word became flesh and lived among us (1:14). May your team be refreshed, refocused, and renewed in Gods Word with Today. Exploring meditation, mindfulness and contemplative practices. I had done this with other areas of my life why not with my leadership of organizational meetings? In other words, we gather at a meeting in order to hold tightly to the hope God promised. Reviewing procedures and policies of thechurchwide organizationto assure that churchwide purposes, policies, and objectives are being fulfilled. Acting on proposals, resolutions, and policies, subject to review by the Churchwide Assembly. In fact, I never even use the word agenda. Of course, we have important points to discuss and decisions to make! So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." This isnota bad approach, as God can certainly speak through the wisdom of men and women remember that in the Bible he once spoke through a jackass! In our semi-monthlySoul ShepherdingBoard Meetings we seek to rely on the Spirit of Christ in our midst. Everybody around the table shares their ideas of what they think is best. Verse 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' Even in a church! But were finding it fun as we learn to follow Jesus in his kingdom adventures! Acts has been called the fifth Gospel because it tells the story of the Apostles carrying on the ministry of Jesus and shows how the church grew like wildfire. While being dispersed across various locations, our teams can use these meetings as a time to come together and build unity. Thorough attention to pre-meeting tasks helps the meeting move as efficiently as possible. In its simplest form, becoming a sanctuary denomination means that the ELCA is publicly declaring that walking alongside immigrants and refugees is a matter of faith. Meetings should be used to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. 2018. Webdevotions, to be used by your Church Council at its meetings. The way Jesus lived is the wayhe taught us to live: Remain in my love just as I remain in the Fathers love, obey what I tell you to do just as I obey the Father (John 15:10, my paraphrase). Then when everyone comes back to the table we hear the ideas that God has given them and we discuss how God is leading us to proceed. To remind us of who is in charge of our board meeting we replace the idea of an agenda with discernment points. As part of what today we might call business meetings they worshiped, fasted, meditated on Scripture, prayed, quietly listened to God, shared their hearts, prayed for one another, including with the ministry of the laying on of hands, and were compelled by the Spirit to speak and act (e.g., Acts 1:24-26, 4:23-31, 13:1-3, 15:12-18, 16:6-10, 20:36). Were too busy to talk to God during this meeting. (Maybe we alsowere too busy to pray before the meeting.) Think about what were saying when we say we dont have time to pray. or contemplative planning. Doing whatever I do in thewaythat Jesus himself did things submitted to God, unhurried, depending on grace, listening to the Spirit, loving those near me has become very important to me. And it has led me to turn over the leadership of meetingsto Christ-in-my-midst. On important decisions postpone a decision until everyone has had time to pray about the issue and then come back with what they sense to be Gods wisdom. Verse 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. Verse 3Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Evangelical Lutheran Church in America In fulfilling its dual constitutional roles, the Church Council exercises fiduciary, strategic, and generative responsibilities to govern the ELCA churchwide organization. The voting members of the Church Council are the four officers, the chair of the Conference of Bishops and 3245 individuals elected by the Churchwide Assembly. We seek to make things happen rather than submitting to and depending on the risen Christ who is with us. On the surface it may appear to an outsider that we are not accomplishing as much as we could. We integrate talking and praying, listening to one another and listening to God. But a deeper look into our community and the fruit of abiding in Christ in our lives and in the ministry ofSoul Shepherdingover time shows that actually, by Gods grace and wisdom, we areaccomplishing more for the Kingdom of God. Andmaybewe remember to pray at the end in order to ask God to bless what were doing! All rights reserved. Chicago, IL 60631. A Holy Spirit led planning meeting is very different than brainstorming. WebDevotions for councils Adapted from Unbinding the Gospel by Martha Grace Reese. When I lead these sessions we not only begin in prayer, but we go back to prayer as part of the process. In 2019 and 2020 we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely. Taking a step in this direction may be easier than you think. Each devotion it contains was written by a pastor or lay member of our Virginia Synod, around the theme of stewardship as that which frames our lives together, called to share in the ministry of Word and Sacraments. Our objective in the whole meeting is to worship God and listen to him. Chicago, IL 60631. Justin Sterenberg. Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources. Devotions for Wednesday Samuel 3:2-11 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. He is the perfect Spiritual Leader. Daily Grace serves my need to be uplifted, but also, its short, so I can grab the message and go. All of our devotions have a printable option at the bottom of each page if you wish to print. Today Daily Devotional is brought to youby: 1700 28th Street SE This can set a Christ-centered tone for a meeting. 19502023 ReFrame Ministries. In addition, Daily Grace serves up a daily dose of comfort and inspiration for your faith journey directly to your email inbox. We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Verse 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, Jesus explained that just as a branch bears fruit by remaining (or abiding) in a vine so we bear fruit by remaining connected to him. The ELCA Constitution for Congregations states that the powers of the congregation are vested in the congregational meeting called and conducted as provided in this constitution and bylaws. (C5.02) Congregations hold annual meetings at a time specified in their bylaws. Any undone business items can be dealt with by phone or e-mail after the meeting or held over to the next meeting. Jordan works for ReFrame Ministries supporting our programs through digital marketing campaigns. Why dont we ask him what he thinks? Along these lines, I have found it very helpful to the discernment process when we can step away from discussion with one another and spend at least five minutes quietly listening to God. Im grateful that WELCA blesses the community through this resource.. As I begin to focus on making positive changes for the future this year, I am thankful for these daily reminders that I am whole right now. But what could be more important than to include Christ in a meeting, to listen for his wisdom and to rely on his love and power? Evangelical Lutheran Education Association, Ethnic Specific and Multicultural Ministries, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, Senior Adult Ministry: Growing Aging Disciples, Advancing Evangelism in Your Congregation, Launching Evangelism in Your Congregation. The daily readings are challenging, encouraging, and inspire serious contemplation. The joy is not in how mortals get into heaven, but in both the physical life God gave in creation and the life in the Spirit. Professor of New Testament and President Emeritus. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person--questions, complexities and all. Dont be afraid of missing out. We grew closer to Christ and to one another, It took the pressure off of me and others to make things happen, Team members became more participatory in the process, We were better able to see what God was doing in our community and ministry and to join his work. So when you or I lead a meeting or whatever were doing its important that we do so as apprentices to Jesus, connecting to him in the moment and following his lead. Completion of the first call process completes candidacy for all people, including those ordained in another Lutheran church or Christian tradition, moving them toward first call and admittance to the appropriate roster in the ELCA. But with Nicodemus, we ponder the amazing truth. 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Women of the ELCA @WomenoftheELCA "Jesus call to his disciples is not a call to resign ourselves to things wed rather not deal with; it is a call to join Jesus in the One reviewer to the app from the Apple iTunes page wrote, I appreciate the simplicity and profundity of the WELCAs Daily Grace app. We resist hurry. Its by interacting with and relying upon the Holy Spirit in whatever were doing that we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). After we say Amen we may forget to keep listening to the Holy Spirit when we discuss issues; we may neglect to rely on Gods wisdom and grace as we strategize. If possible, its best to devote thirty or even sixty minutes for people to leave the table and find a place for quiet solitude to listen to God and write down what they sense Godmightbe saying (you have to set aside your internal editor for the period of listening prayer). To keep submitting ourselves to God and praying to him about the ministry of Soul Shepherding. I like to say in our Board meetings, If this is all we accomplished today itd be a great board meeting! To rely on the Spirit of Christ and not merely our own abilities means everything to our ministry. The Church Council meets together at least twice a year and communicate by other means when necessary. Paul shows us a way of life that is characterized by growth in Christ. But Jesus Christ is the Smartest Person that ever lived! WebDevotions. We saw God generate ideas and eventual outcomes that werent on anyones mind going into the meeting! For instance, God gives us ideas and opportunities out of nowhere that we never couldve come up with if I was driving my agenda. But my experience is that God is not normally central in brainstorming sessions, even when everyone present is a Christian. To enable and support the work of the ELCA in a way that is consistent with its vision, decision-making processes and constitution, the Church Councils ongoing work includes: The Church Council is a vital aspect of how we strive to do Gods work in the world with thoughtfulness, integrity, respect, and partnerships that share a common vision. This side is NOT LO bc copied. Completion of the first call process completes candidacy for all people, including those ordained in another Lutheran church or Christian tradition, moving them toward first call and admittance to the appropriate roster in the ELCA. Completion of the first call process completes candidacy for all people, including those ordained in another Lutheran church or Christian tradition, moving them toward first call and admittance to the appropriate roster in the ELCA. Verse 11"Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. Eternal life is given to us now and forever in relationship with God, the source of life. Download these daily messages of faith on your iPhone, iPad, or Android. Putting priority on helping one another to attend to the risen Christ with us means holding our agenda loosely. God so loved, God gave, and God sent Christ Jesus to us, for us, for the world. Grand Rapids, MI 49508, Phone: 616.942.9383 Join us as we do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world. God may surface other issues or we may need extra time on an important point. In its simplest form, becoming a sanctuary denomination means that the ELCA is publicly declaring that walking alongside immigrants and refugees is a matter of faith. 2023. 2020. The ideal setting for a team to discern what God is saying is to get away from the normal place of work or ministry and go to a retreat center, church (notyourchurch if its your work setting! Daily devotions by favorite ELCA writers by Elizabeth McBride 1.10.2022 | Post Our most challenging calling may be to simply be ourselves fearfully and wonderfully Lectionary blog: Both/and. See God's love and power, his presence and purpose in your lifeeveryday. We resist trying to do too much! Begin the meeting with a short devotional and then ask everyone to respond. (As the President of Soul Shepherding I ask Jesus to be the President and I focus on assisting him with the help of the Board.) Inspired, first from my spiritual fatherRay Ortlundand then by the example of my friends and colleagues atThe Leadership Institute(where Kristi and I completed a two-year training program in spiritual leadership), I started asking Jesus to lead my meetings.