Transformed N
ot until members of Reformation Lutheran, Colum- bia, S.C., changed their emphasis from “What can we do?” to “What would God have us do?” did the dying congregation come back to life, said Jim Nichols, former pastor now retired. To get the process started, Nichols led a team of four
members to a 2006 ELCA Transformational Ministry (TM) training event in Chicago. South Carolina Synod Bishop Herman Yoos describes what is happening at Reformation as “the story of a church reaching out to its neighborhood, a story of resur- rection out of a ‘death and dying’ congregation.” Indeed, the church’s website proclaims: “An old church doing new ministry” (
www.reformationlutheran
columbiasc.com). “When we knock on a door we don’t know who will
answer,” Yoos continued. “But we are called to knock. Every congregation in South Carolina needs to be visiting its neighbors and surrounding communities with an invi- tation to come worship our risen Lord.” TM member Dorothy Jeffcoat, a longtime congrega-
tional leader, maintains “it is in the DNA of this congre- gation to be welcoming, to take risks, to be hopeful and trusting.”
That historical perspective is confirmed by ongoing service through food kitchens and health ministry; more than a decade of monthly Taizé worship; periodic neigh- borhood walks to invite others to church; and SPLASH (Students Playing, Learning and Staying Healthy), a sum- mer program with Lutheran Family Services in the Caro- linas to benefit refugee children. Despite these faithful ministries, it took time for a
majority of the congregation to buy into TM. Bible study, prayer and intentional group reflection focused on dis- cerning divine direction. But comments like “This is tak- ing way too long” and “Nobody can tell me what transfor- mational ministry is” were frequent. By 2008, Reformation’s membership was largely from outside the neighborhood, and predominantly 70 and older. Average weekly attendance was 58. At that point “we finally had to back off and ask, ‘What does God want
Fossum is a member of Incarnation Lutheran Church, Columbia, S.C., and the author of the Sunday by Sunday series (
www.sundaybysunday.com), small-town church fiction based on the lectionary.
... from despair to hope in South Carolina By Cristy Fossum
us to do?’ ” Jeffcoat said. Another team member, Ross Jolly, who joined the church over a decade ago and serves as treasurer, said he and the others returned from the training ready “to do the right thing: determine where God is leading and follow, whether we get one more member or the church closes down.”
The process of transformational ministry eventually “freed us to trust and not worry so much about the build- ing and paying the bills,” he added.
Major changes
So the process moved forward and was tied to three major changes.
Back in 2007 when G.W. “Bill” Eiwen was called to be
pastor, it was with the understanding that half of his time would be devoted to outreach. Demographic research confirmed what had been known for some years: a sig- nificant population of individuals who are gay and lesbian now live in the community. So the call committee asked Eiwen if he could unreservedly welcome and serve them. His positive response brimmed with enthusiasm. Then, in November 2008, Reformation voted to
become a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation, proclaiming in a public way that they offered a place for believers of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The Saturday following this action, The State newspaper published an article about the new ministry. Attendance increased with both gay and straight worshipers pas- sionate about a faith community that expressed such welcome. Lastly, the South Carolina offices of Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas were relocated to Reformation, enhancing the church’s outreach ministry. During this period of change, approximately 15 to
20 members left. By the end of 2010, however, average weekly attendance had increased to 114. The integration of former and newer members has
14 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
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