Gods Work, Our Hands

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Gods Work, Our Hands

• Oregon Synod Assembly
• Rev Ruben Duran
• ELCA Churchwide Representative

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Thanks be to God

• We continue to pray for Presiding Bishop Mark
  Hanson as he leads our Church.
• Together we are the ELCA
• We can do so much together, making a difference
  in the world today
• Check your Assembly materials and displays to see
  all the ways God is using us in the domestic and
  global scenes.

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Highlights

• BOOK of FAITH Initiative. Not a program.
• From a church, to NC Synod Assembly to
  Churchwide, to all of us like a tree.
• We seek proficiency in the first language of
  faith, the Holy Scriptures.
• To know Gods work, know Gods Word
• Connect your ideas with this initiative
• Sharing in groups of 2 Share your earliest
  memory of learning about the Bible.

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Some highlights

• Book of Faith Initiative. Free book , first
  resource at Augsburg Fortress Opening the Booh
  of Faith. Give your information.
• Anti-Racism Education in Synods going strong with
  more leaders participating.
• ELCA World Hunger Appeal 22.1 million in 2007
  11.1 growth
• Disaster Response 3.1 million from ELCA members,
  plus 3.9 M from federal 7M

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More highlights

• Mission Support 0.3 million increase in 2007
  42 Synods increased.
• Blue Ribbon Committee working on Mission Support
  Church Council Leaders, Bishops and others
  leading by example on tithing and giving to the
  work of the ELCA.
• Study on Sexuality 80 Hearings and more coming
  to inform the first draft on a Social Statement.

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More highlights

• Mission Investment Fund Assisting 14 churches in
  the Synod through loans totalling 7,481,198.
  Individuals and 52 churches in the Synod have
  4.7 M in investments and 120 churches have
  16.6M in savings, memorials and endowments.
• 13 New Bishops presiding 10 new in 08
• Ecumenical news process toward Full Communion
  with the United Methodist Church is in the agenda
  for 2009 Churchwide Assembly.

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OBSERVATIONS
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Flat Line . . .
Source Yearbook of American and Canadian
Churches, NCCC. Prepared by Research and
Evaluation, Winter 2006.
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Roller Coaster . . .
ELCA (or predecessors)
Rates of Change in Baptized Membership and the
U.S. Population
Source Annual Congregational Reports, ELCA and
U.S. Census. Prepared by Research and
Evaluation, Winter 2006.
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Under 50 . . .
Source Annual Congregational Reports, ELCA.
Prepared by Research and Evaluation, Winter 2006.
11
ELCA Racial/Ethnic Membership . . .
Source Annual Congregational Reports, ELCA.
Prepared by Research and Evaluation, Winter 2006.
12
Projected Percent Change in Population from 2000
to 2010
Source Claritas, Inc. Prepared by Research and
Evaluation, Winter 2006.
13
Projected Percent Change in Population from 2000
to 2010 (with ELCA congregations)
Source Claritas, Inc. Prepared by Research and
Evaluation, Winter 2006.
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Bridges to Build Together

• Geographical distributed justice
• Socio-economic church for all people
• Generational emerging church
• Ethnic multi-cultural
• Missional driven by Gods mission

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Three Keys to Congregational Vitality(From an
evangelism study of the ELCA)

• Leadership a culture of team leadership where
  clergy and laity work together as a team. Leaders
  help congregations develop the following
• Purpose a clear sense by the congregation of
  what God is calling them to do
• Willingness to change a spirit of openness that
  is willing to initiate change to be faithful and
  effective

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ELCA is changing

• Before Called, gathered and nourished
• Today Claimed, gathered and sent
• Nothing short of a miracle, only by Gods grace.
• Direction first, then speed
• Foundation is more important than height

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Being transformed and revitalized into

• Healthy capacity to act and grow
• Missional evangelical orientation with
• with a passion for justice
• Evangelizing making new disciples
• Multiplying churches starting churches
• Individuals and congregations who live out their
  identity as Christians and Lutherans in the world.

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RE-TOOLING for Increasing Congregational Vitality
and Capacity

• 1. Missional Theology grounding our
  ministry in scripture and sound theology
• 2. Leadership Development equipping
  lay and clergy
• 3. Reading the audience understanding
  the emerging context
• 4. Congregational Ministry assessing
  congregational health

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NEW CONGREGATIONS

• In 2004, 29 new ministries started
• In 2005, 38 new ministries started
• In 2006, 39 new ministries started
• In 2007, 52 new starts
• Key entry points
• Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities.
• Churches starting Churches(satellite/2nd sites)
• Traditional, free standing starts

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New Starts by Ethnicity - 4/07
Includes 172 congregations-under-development and
45 approved sites for entry in 2007.
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New Starts by Economic Group - 4/07

• Includes 172 congregations-under-development and
  45 sites approved for entry in 2007.

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New Starts by Setting - 4/07

• Includes 172 congregations-under-deve
  lopment and 45 sites approved
• for entry in 2007.

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TRUST THE PROMISES

• Jesus I will build my Church
• Jesus I will be with you always
• God, through Isaiah My word will never come
  back empty, but will always accomplish the
  purpose for which it is sent.

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TOGETHER WE ARE THE ELCA

• God is making a difference through our various
  ministries, congregations, and through you and
  me.
• Your prayers, active participation and offerings
  help make it happen.
• Gods work. Our hands, arms, feet, voices.