Call for stories of growth, revitalization
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Call for stories of growth, revitalization PDF Print E-mail

From time to time, LC/NA receives requests from press outlets and others calling for stories about congregations who have experienced growth and revitalization of one kind or other. These requests have increased since the actions of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly (CWA09) to adopt the social statement on sexuality and to allow LGBT people to serve as rostered leaders.

We need to hear your stories of the positive difference the CWA09 decisions have made in the life of your congregation or of other congregations you may know about. Please respond with your stories to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The LC/NA staff will share these stories as opportunities arise.

Since there is a particular need right now for such stories, it would be very helpful for us to hear from you by Thursday, September 23.

Your responses can be of any length. Please let us know what congregation you are writing about (name, city, state).

Here are some ways to think about the many different signs of growth and revitalization experienced by congregations:

  • Have individuals or families joined your congregation, encouraged by the teachings and policies adopted a year ago? Of course, people join congregations for many reasons. Often it will be difficult to know the reasons why each particular individual or family has joined. However, even a few anecdotes of those whose reasons you do know would be valuable to share.
  • Have more people attended worship more often? Growth can be measured as increased attendance, not just increased numbers of members.
  • Have members of your congregation felt more confident in inviting others to attend worship services? Have you had more visitors?
  • Has your congregation made an intentional decision to give more money to the synod and churchwide ministries of the ELCA?
  • Has your congregation held special celebrations or dedicated worship services in response to the changes?
  • Has your congregation begun new discussions about how to be more welcoming to all people?
  • Has there been more enthusiasm for the ministry and mission of the congregation, synod, or churchwide expressions of ELCA? Often, the effects of positive change are not expressed so much numerically or financially, but instead emotionally and spiritually.
  • Has your congregation adopted a new mission statement? Have you arranged for new outdoor signage? Special messages in bulletins or newsletters? Have you started new outreach strategies?
  • Has there been increased interest in learning about the Bible? About the biblical stories of welcome and inclusion? About other aspects of Scripture or church history?
  • Have there been ceremonies of marriage or blessings of same-gender couples conducted in your church within the last year?

Do tell! Please respond to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Thursday, September 23.

Thank you for your continuing witness.