Oregon Synod Assembly 2011Eugene Hilton - Eugene, OR

Not to decide is no longer safe. The status quo no longer serves us well. There is no longer such a thing as “survival.”

We must intentionally choose to be centers of active mission and change. The default is death and decline.

Faith Based Organizing Cycle

Completed: 12 of 13 clusters open to conversation. All Program Staff involved. 6 hour, Saturday

events. Sunday preaching and congregational visits. Over 200 synod clergy and lay leaders involved.

What we heard.◦ Pastors doing work for which they were not trained.◦ Members understand the reality of shifting demographics.◦ We know a new birth is upon us. Change! What do we do?◦ Plea for lateral connections.

The GatheredThe GatheredTraditionalTraditionalHomogenousHomogenousValue BasedValue Based

The CalledThe CalledDiverseDiverseNewly GiftedNewly GiftedEnergizedEnergized

The Church that has been is passing away. The Church that will be is coming to its birth. In the throes of labor we are called to

significant decisions:◦ Financial – we are a rich church. Will we invest in

tomorrow?◦ Institutional – we are an established church. Will we

learn to adapt freely?◦ Demographics – we are an older, white, church. Will we

choose to become more like the world around us?◦ Socio-economic – we are an upper, middle class church.

Will we welcome the poor?

Done talking about sex. We all have a place at the table. Freely partner with those pursuing mission.

Ecumenical Partnerships. The ELCA has positioned itself for cooperative efforts. Oregon is doing this!

Interim Ministry. Times of transition are times to ask the deep questions. Ongoing training.

Interviewing for our Oregon Synod DEM.◦ Working with Pr. Glenn Chase, Director for Mission Support.◦ Focus on the question of viability and sustainability.◦ Mission is the question of the Oregon Synod. ◦ In light of budgetary constraints mission will be the filter for

determining use of synod staff time and energy.

Oregon Synod Mission Table: Proclaiming the Gospel for a 21st Century Church. “Seeding the new reformation.”

Cyber Soul Café. A Region 1 initiative designed to facilitate real ministry. (Seeded by Project Believe! )

Finding and Funding the Church of Tomorrow.◦ $250,000 initiative for seeding new ministries.◦ Tithing to the greater church, faithful partners in change.◦ Calling out and visioning creative action.◦ Challenge – Opportunity - Transformation.

Congregational Change. Grace and Mercy, Our Saviour’s Lebanon, Our Savior’s Lake Oswego.

North Portland Conversation. A vital Portland area conversation taking place among congregations of the PLUM and Mt. Tabor clusters.

Exciting new ventures.◦ Major Community Gardens, Bend, Madras and Lebanon.◦ The Leaven Project in Portland.◦ The Common Table in Bend. ◦ Lutherans Restoring Creation & Eco-Faith.◦ The Hope Center, Hope Lutheran, Klamath Falls.

Faith Based Organizing Cycle

Pray a plan into practice!

Organizing for MissionJune 18, 2011

Central Lutheran, Portland

Growing congregations are intentional congregations. You must be working a plan.

The synod office is all in around intentionality.1. Let us plan with you.2. Let us evaluate with you.3. Let us connect you up.

There are no silver bullets, but there is all of us. We will be there for those that want to be in ministry together. We have limited resources to help those who wish to remain less engaged.

A caring, hard working staff:

◦ Rev. Susan Kintner, Assistant to the Bishop;◦ Rev. Glenn Chase, 0.5 FTE Director of Mission Support;◦ Diaconal Minister Mindy Holland, 0.8 FTE Office Manager

and Coordinator for Candidacy;◦ Cynthia Reynolds, 0.8 FTE Office Assistant.

◦ Former Director of Evangelical Mission, Rev. Harvey Blomberg.

◦ Former Coordinator of Congregational Ministries, Deaconess Deb Mantey.