For a study guide see page 22.
When asked about their record, demonstrating both
grace and good sports etiquette, Dahlquist offered an ESPN-worthy response: “I’m just happy to have the opportunity to play.” Although the Saints finished their season in June, the
cooperative spirit continues off the field. A community interfaith emergency housing project that Dahlquist helps coordinate relies on support from several congregations. No single congregation can do it alone. “If we’re
going to sustain our involvement in this program, the way forward is to do that as a collaborative effort with some other congregations,” Dahlquist said. It’s no secret that ELCA congregations are leaner
now. As of 2013 more than a third of all congrega- tions—3,251 of them—had an average worship atten- dance of 50 or fewer. In 2000 only 20 percent of the congregations had an average worship attendance of fewer than 50. According to data compiled by ELCA
Research and Evaluation, 82 percent of ELCA congregations declined by 5 percent or more in average worship attendance between 2000 and 2013, with 7 percent experiencing stable attendance (they lost or gained fewer than 5 percent) and 11 percent gaining more than 5 percent. All of which means: If you’re
an ELCA member, chances are good your congregation is learning to do ministry with
fewer people in the pews. Regardless of whether that means fewer folks for church soſtball, diminishing worship resources or fewer members involved in social ministry, congregational ministry has inevitably changed.
‘Small can be beautiful’
When Beverly Piro, interim pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran, Arvada, Colo., started her position in November 2013, she found a “pretty deflated” congregation. “Tey were asking themselves, ‘Are we going to be
able to continue?’ ” With only 50 people in worship each Sunday, the congregation was “wallowing in grief ” about their smaller size and not being able to do minis- try as they once could, such as sustain a Sunday school. Last summer, Piro helped the congregation launch a
discernment process, taking stock of their strengths and assets. Trough this process, members noted that their
August 2015 17
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52