SHIRLEY BECKER First wanted to stay true to its
55-year-old mission of serving chil- dren through a school ministry and decided to help parents with tuition. “When the recession hit, we watched other schools suffer steep enrollment declines and worried that we might have to lay off people,” Hurst said. “Having a commitment over the years to Christian education and to academic integrity, instru- mental music, performing arts and other things on top of the school day, helped us survive. “What made the difference was the foresight of the school board to set aside $50,000 for tuition assis- tance to help our families get over a difficult period.”
The school is the community of Christ for families, Hurst said, adding, “We love them and we’re here to offer the grace and love of the gospel.” Hurst suggested that struggling congregations look at how they can meet a community need. “Do what- ever you can to fall back in love with your neighborhood,” he said. “Ask, ‘What does my neighborhood need?’ It means asking what are their hurts and hopes. It means offering the cup of cold water and the basin and the towel. It means listening and not speaking. Lutheran churches have to learn to love their actual neigh- bors. You’ve got to re-root in your neighborhood.”
Duran agrees, calling every church
to listen to God, listen to one another and listen to their community. “The Lutheran church has the capacity to withstand a lot things,” he said. “But if we don’t solve the disconnect, the next time a recession hits or a prob- lem arises, we won’t make it. “We have to re-root the ministry in our neighborhood. Our future depends on how we get under the skin of the culture. We need to be a church that is embedded in the fabric of society.”
First Lutheran Church and School, Torrance, Calif., set aside $50,000 in 2008 to help families with future tuition costs. It’s all part of investing and “fall[ing] back in love with your neighborhood,” says Bill Hurst, pastor, pictured with some of the students.
Getting help What help can a church struggling with finances expect from its synod
office?
Synods, too, are being impacted by tough times. The closing of churches means fewer sources of mission support. And many churches have cut back on giving to their synod altogether. Dwindling revenue has forced synods to look for creative ways to stay afloat, and many have cut back. Still, struggling churches turn to their synod office for help with solving problems and seeking support. They are often disappointed to hear that the synod can’t help.
Ruben Duran, ELCA program director for new congregations, reminds churches that a synod’s role is to coordinate ministry in a geographic area. The synod office is a steward of the rostered leaders, he said. It also is a resource for pastors and congregations. Assistants to the bishop are the go-to experts with particular skill sets in different areas of ministry and church life.
Wendy Healy
November 2011 27
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