By Pastor Ivy Schultz, Trinity Frelsburg and St. John New Ulm
NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE DOING, AND YOU CAN’T TELL ME ANY DIFFERENT. Okay, that may be an exaggeration. And yet, if you can relate to this statement even a little, what can help? Where can we go to get ideas, brainstorm, and hear what others are trying? Where can we go to listen to others who may not know what they’re doing, but they’re doing something? Keep reading!
As people of faith, particularly Lutheran people of faith, we have rituals and traditions that are tried and true and have often served us well in the past. We now find that we are living in a time where many things don’t work the way they once did. There are many shifts in our culture that are challenging us and forcing us to reinvent and innovate. Some of us enjoy the challenge and trying new things, some of us absolutely despise change, and some of us are tired and just don’t have the capacity to come up with ideas on our own. Even Moses, who led the cantankerous Israelites for a few decades, needed help and ideas from peers. Sometimes they worked great, and sometimes their experiments failed. (Remember the golden calf?) Moses demonstrated adaptation and innovation (and occasionally exasperation) just like we are being called to do.
What if there was an opportunity to come together and hear about things others are trying or have tried? What if there was a group of people who are working to coordinate something like this? Well, have we got a deal for you!
On the synod’s website is a place where ideas are being shared. You can learn some new things, and you may even have great ideas that others can benefit from. It is worth your time to see the resources that are already posted, and maybe you’ll find something that your congregation can adapt and try. AND, maybe you have a cool resource that others could benefit from. We would LOVE to share your resource/idea as part of this rethinking project. If there is anything you’d like to contribute, please email me, Pastor Ivy Schulz, and we would love to place it on the website. No idea is too big or too small!
The Gulf Coast Synod Youth Ministry Team has also been working on interactive learning ideas, and we would like to invite you to join us for a series of Zoom meetings where leaders will talk about ministry ideas that might be useful for you:
- October 17, 6:30pm: Pray Ground – Have one? Want one? Don’t know where to start? In this session, we will hear from leaders as they describe their process about creating a Pray Ground space for families and children to feel welcome in worship. The session is free.
- November: Kid’s Time – in worship as Sunday School. In this session you will hear about a few small congregations that are combining Sunday School and Worship for intergenerational education and joy.
- December: Resources – In this session, more children’s ministry resources will be shared to inspire your creativity and rejuvenate your passion for sharing the love of God with the youngsters in our midst.
Register for the October 17th Pray Ground Zoom. The learning events will be recorded for you to catch at a later date or to share with other leaders as you pitch ideas to them.