Submitted by Rev. Sue Koesterman, Elim Lutheran Church – Fargo, ND
- Why in God’s name does your congregation exist?
- What is God calling you to do for Christ’s sake?
- How is the Holy Spirit equipping you for this work?
These were the questions posed to the entire Eastern North Dakota assembly by Bishop Bill Rindy during his state of the synod address in April. In his address the bishop challenged each of the congregations in the synod to spend the coming year wrestling with these questions and to report back at next year’s synod assembly.
I was initially taken aback by the force and form of Bishop Rindy’s questions. After reflection, however, I came to the conclusion that the questions he posed are important, maybe even essential. Seeking faithful responses to these questions together will help to shape our sense of mission and ministry. Seeking faithful responses to these questions will help us come to a deeper understanding of what God is calling our congregation to in this time and place.
In the coming year these questions will be featured prominently on council and committee agendas, table tents in the fellowship hall, bulletins, and, from time to time in sermons and worship notes. I’m anxious to hear what you think and for all of us to be in conversation together them.
So … what do you think? Why in God’s name does our congregation exist? What is God calling us to do for Christ’s sake? How is the Holy Spirit equipping us for this work? I’ll be anxious to hear from you.
28 Part Series: God in Full View in North Dakota
- Dad, what’s God?
- Blessing in Abundance
- A Sunday for Mission
- Building Expansion in Thompson, ND
- Prairie Rivers Parish Mission Strategy Process
- Ribbon Cutting in Celebration of 75 Years of Ministry
- Together in Mission
- St. John Lutheran, Fargo, meets World Hunger Challenge
- Benevolence Education
- Refugees Build School with Help from ELCA Global Gifts
- Calvary Lutheran, Grand Forks, featured in ELCA synod assembly video
- C.A.R. Motorcycle Project
- Humans as Stewards
- Quilts for Japan: A need. A reality. (Updated)
- Enthusiasm Spreads Out from Walhalla
- Congratulations to Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM) Graduates
- Thank you from Rev. Golike, Central African Republic
- A Letter from Dacotah O`yate Lutheran Church
- A Harvest of Giving
- Little Dresses for Africa
- New Parish is Named
- Church Rebuilt After Burning Down
- Local Activist Devoted to Hunger Issues and Empowering Women
- Cando Area Food Pantry Awarded Agency of the Year
- God’s work… an organist’s hand; a quilter’s hand
- 96 Acres
- A Response to the 3 Questions
- Damage in Duluth
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