Autumn Update

A friend in Minnesota recently sent an email asking, “Is everything ok down there, or are you just incredibly busy? There hasn't even been a blog post lately.”

I answered immediately to let her know that everything was fine.  I also promised that I would send an update soon, which I did the next day.  Finding a moment or two to work on the blog has been more difficult.  It has indeed been busy.

Final "Coffee" at First Lutheran Church, Rock Island

The bishop has just finished up his eight “Coffees with the Bishop.”  Bishop Wollersheim began each coffee with devotions.  With Karin Graddy’s help, he then showed the synod’s 25^th anniversary video.  This is the same video that was shown at this year’s Synod Assembly.  Each congregation received a copy and it has been well received.  It was a great look back at our history together and a fitting prelude for what comes next.  Following the video, Bishop Wollersheim answered any questions that attendees cared to ask.  Each conference asked different questions, though we did hear that there is a lot of concern over the future of the church.  Generally speaking, congregations are doing well, but declining numbers appear to be common.  Some of our congregations are fairly fragile financially.

This autumn we have also experienced four Discipleship Gatherings.  Pastor Kurt Nordby, our Director for Evangelical Mission, did a fine job talking about the importance of a mission plan to the life of a congregation.  Each congregation is being encouraged to take a look at their mission and articulate a plan.  I have found that there are congregations that do not have a good handle on why they are doing what they are doing.  With Pastor Nordby, our communication director Karin Graddy has developed a set of resources and placed it in a virtual toolbox.  Take a look.  You’ll find it at www.nisynod.org/toolbox.

Bishop Wollersheim has announced that the Synod Council will soon be working on a new mission plan for the synod.  He said that it is only fair that if congregations are being asked to work on a mission plan that the synod should as well.  We will be working with the Rev. Don McCoid of the Churchwide staff and he will join us at the January council meeting.

These are stressful days in the life of the church, but they are days filled with hope and promise, much like this season of Advent.

Comments are welcome.  Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com.  --JC