Eastern North Dakota Synod Resource Center » Rural Ministry

Rethinking Mission & Church Structure

Resource Center — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 03:55:09 +0000

» Download: Rethinking Mission & Church Structure (download pdf file)

What does it mean to “be church?” What are we called to do, to be? How does our structure support our sense of mission and call? The following resources may be helpful for congregations rethinking mission and church structure.

The Congregational Leadership Series provides practical steps for looking at context (Our Context: Exploring Our Congregation and Community); mission (Our Mission: Discovering God’s Call to Us); structure (Structure: Carrying Out the Vision); and stewardship (Our Stewardship: Managing Our Assets). Additional resources help with staffing, identifying leaders, and shaping and defining church committees. Preview copies available for loan.

Martha Grace Reese’s Unbinding the Gospel Series is one place for congregations to begin considering who they are and what they are called to do. It includes an all church study and 40 days of prayer and faith sharing outlined in Unbinding Your Heart. In Unbinding Your Church, pastors and leaders are invited to a conversation about relearning why we have a story that needs telling. Two additional resources follow: Unbinding the Gospel about real life evangelism and Unbinding the Soul about the joy of Christian life. Go to GraceNet (external link) for more information and church resource guides. Available for loan.

Discovering Hope: Building Vitality in Rural Congregations and a companion resource, Building Hope, offer practical help by telling stories of 26 effective congregations. Available for loan.

Some 21st century reformers who help us think about church as a verb, practices of faith, and missional servant ministry are:

Nadia Bolz-Weber
Brian McLaren
Craig Van Gelder
Diana Butler Bass
Kenda Creasy Dean
Rob Bell
Phyllis Tickle
Reggie McNeal
Joan Chittister
Dorothy Bass

Call the Resource Center for suggestions of resources by these people and many others working to help shape a faithful church.

Natural Church Development is a process for helping leaders focus on church health and mission. Go to The Essence of NCD (external link) for mini-seminars, video clips, books and tools. Books available for loan.

The Alban Institute continues to provide help of all kinds for rethinking congregational life and mission. A free online guide to resources can be found online at Congregational Resource Guide. (external link) Weekly conversations for building up congregations and their leaders are available for subscription at weekly@alban.org Books available for loan.

God, Throw Fire on Us

God, kindle your weary church again, so that we will burn with your message. When others come to put out the flame of your love, we want to be burning so fiercely that all their water won’t have any effect.

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

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Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Rethinking Mission & Church Structure

Open for Exploration: Hope

Resource Center — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:59:33 +0000

» Download the resource sheet: Open for Exploration: Hope (download .pdf file)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope…

Hope is always about God’s presence. For a compelling picture, take a look at the old classic, The Rabbi’s Gift. This 7-minute DVD is about resolving group conflict, revitalizing community, and the hope that comes from respect for diversity. (DVD382)

It’s Not Too Late: A Field Guide to Hope is a remarkable collection of reflections and questions that get at the deeper meanings of Christian hope. A detailed study guide will soon be available as well. (B3755)

More Than One Right Answer by National Geographic photographer, DeWitt Jones, takes viewers on a short journey (3 minutes!) to discover multiple ways of addressing problems and challenges. (DVD383)

Turn My Heart: A Sacred Journey by Marty Haugen and Susan Briehl is among the most poignant collections I’ve found on the topic of hope. This book and CD includes music, texts, and prayers for dealing with loss and acknowledging hope. (CD6, B2850)

Nooma: Dust is a beautiful film affirming what it means that God believes in us! (DVD116) View preview trailer on YouTube (external link)

Celebrate What’s Right with the World is a compelling vision about leading a hopeful life focusing on abundance and new possibilities. Includes leader’s guide, workbook, and CD Rom of PowerPoint presentations. (DVD265)

Building Hope is a workshop format based on six core values for building hope among small town and rural congregations. An accompanying book, Discovering Hope: Building Hope in Rural Congregations is about best practices. Can be used with church councils and planning groups. Ideal for congregations thinking about realignment, cooperative ministry, long-range planning and visioning. (DVD252 and B2626)

At the Intersection of Fear and Hope, a 7 minute DVD with words from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson about the challenges we face as a church and a culture. (DVD334)

Walter Brueggemann’s The Hopeful Imagination offers an interpretation of Ezekiel that speaks to hope in our present situation. (B1151)

…all hope for the future rests in the very character of God…

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Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Open for Exploration: Hope

Blessing the Seeds, Soil, and Water

Resource Center — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 03:14:00 +0000

» Download A Litany for Blessings the Seeds, Soil and Water (download pdf file)

(On the altar, place three jars filled with seeds, soil and water, and have them remain on the altar throughout spring, summer, and fall.)

Leader: The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord,

Congregation: And you give them their food in due season.

L: You open wide your hand

C: And satisfy the needs of every living creature.

L: (holding up the seeds) Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth, you give seed to the sower and bread for food. Nourish, protect, and bless the seed which people have sown in hope, so that by your good providence and bountiful giving it may bring forth fruit in due season and be gathered with thanksgiving to satisfy the needs of your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: Amen.

L: (holding up the soil) O Loving God, the eternal fountain and giver of life, we give thanks that we again behold on every side the awakening of nature in answer to your call to arise from winter’s sleep; and as you cheer our spirits with freshening grass, budding trees, and unfolding plants, grant us thankful hearts to praise you for the promise of your renewed provision for our bodies and lives and an abiding trust in your unchanging love now and forever.

C: Amen.

L: (holding up the water) Lord God, by your providence alone we receive the fruits of the earth. In your mercy send us such weather that our fields may bring forth abundantly to our sustenance and that at the time of harvest we may take of your gifts for our good and give thanks to you with gladness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: Amen.

L: All your works praise you, O Lord,

C: And your faithful servants bless you.

L: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. You made the whole earth for your glory; all creation praises you. We lift our voices to join the songs of heaven and earth, of things seen and unseen. You stretched out the heavens like a curtain; you divided the day from the night; you appointed times and seasons for work and rest, for tearing down and for building up. You blessed your people through all generations and guided them in life and death; Abraham and Sarah; Moses and Miriam; Isaiah and all the prophets; Mary, the mother of our Lord; Peter, James, John, and all the apostles; and all the saints and witnesses in your church of ages past, in whome your Spirit spoke and moved. Be with us now and bless the work of those who labor in the fields. Grant us faith to know your gracious purpose in all things, and continue your blessings to us through the bounty of your creation; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: Amen.

L: May God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit bless the pastures and meadows, all growing grass and green fields. May the soil be wholesome and the crops good. May the weather be favorable and the workers of good heart. And may God who gives breath and life to the sower, multiply the seed sown and increase its fruits. May God be with us for evermore.

C: Amen.

Pastor Steven Schou is the author of Blessing the Seeds, Soil and Water; he serves at St. John’s/Richardton and Peace/Dickinson. Used with Permission.

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Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Blessing the Seeds, Soil, and Water

Resources for Rural Ministry

Resource Center — Tue, 26 Sep 2000 23:21:23 +0000

» Download the resource sheet: Resources for Rural Ministry (download pdf file)

In this rural synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in rural communities across the country, the deepening agricultural crisis is affecting all of us. As a church, we are called to listen, learn, and pray for the concerns and well-being of the entire agricommunity.

Below you will find a collection of resources, ideas, and services that may be of help as the rural crisis worsens.

Featured Resources:

Family Farming – A New Economic Vision by Marty Strange (B789)
Broken Heartland by Osha Gray Davidson (B1366)
Prayers for the Heartland by Judy Hoff (B1278)
Of the Land, For the Land: A Bible Study on Church, Land, and Community (PR)
Praying Our Goodbyes by Joyce Rupp (B2115)
A Good Land: Five Sessions on the Land and the People Who Care for It by James Limburg (PR)
Rural Ministry: The Shape of the Renewal to Come (B1810)
Caretakers of Creation: Farmers Reflect on Their Faith and Work by Patrick Slattery (B733)
Planting the Seeds of Community: A Bible Study for Revitalization in Rural America by Paul Peterson (PR)
Worship from the Ground Up: A Worship for Town and Country Congregations” (PR)
Vanishing Heartland: A Nightline Report (VT1962)
The Farmer’s Wife (video)
Another Cup of Coffee (VT261)
Another Family Farm (VT86)
From the Fields to Family (VT499)
From This Valley: On Defending the Family Farm (VT321)
In the Midst of Pain (VT173)Jesus the Comforter (VT29)
Roots of Hope – The Changing Face of Agriculture (VT225)
4×1 Rural Crisis (VT181)
The Rural Crisis Comes to School (VT180)
Rural Family Stress Management (VT61-64)
Summer of Home, Summer of Despair (VT609)

Featured Links:

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Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Resources for Rural Ministry