Innovation:
“I love to tell the story;
’twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.”
– Refrain from “I Love to Tell the Story,” ELW #661
“We are in good company! For 2000 years, every generation has told “the old, old story” in new, new ways. We are always called to translate the riches of the faith into a new cultural vernacular.”
– Rev. Matthew Short, Assistant to the Bishop for Evangelical Mission
1. “Will the ELCA be Gone in 30 Years?”
An article written by Dwight Zscheile, Vice President of Innovation and Associate Professor of Congregational Mission and Leadership at Luther Seminary. The article ends with six “things we can do now,” and would be a good way to begin conversations with congregational leaders about taking small steps to shift into a more mission-oriented approach. He is also the author of the book The Agile Church, a fantastic resource for congregational councils or mission teams to read together. Chapters are short and each end with questions for discussion.
2. Podcast Interview about the article
ELCA Bishop Jim Hazelwood (New England Synod) interviews Dwight Zscheile about the article above and the research beneath it. This is a terrific companion to the article, because you can hear the hope in Zscheile’s voice as he describes what we can do to more deeply root ourselves in mission, not institutional survival.
4. Ideological Shifts of Revitalization
A six-page document compiled by synod staff, listing 13 different “shifts” we can live into that will help move us in the direction of mission. This includes some suggested ways to live into each shift, and can be useful as a discussion-starter with leaders.
5. Faithful Innovation: Greater Milwaukee Synod cohorts
In our synod, we have groups of congregations working together to live into many of the shifts discussed in the items above. We call this nine-month process “Faithful Innovation.” Learn more about the process, and when the next cohort is beginning.
6. How To Lead Dwelling in the Word
A four-minute video from our partner Dr. Michael Binder explaining the central spiritual practice of “Dwelling in the Word.” Dwelling in the Word is a way of hearing scripture that doesn’t depend on the ordained leader explaining the “right” interpretation of a passage, but trusts that the Spirit will speak to the group through shared discernment.