GROWING CHURCH SEMINAR FOR CREATING AND SUSTAINING CONGREGATIONS WITH DIVERSITY
At first glance you might think from its title the Growing Church Seminar was another workshop on evangelism strategy. It was instead a challenge to reconsider the nature of the church and the impetus for mission. Rather than repeating the cry “how can we grow in numbers” it was about imagining how we can grow into Jesus’ vision of the kingdom.
Warmly hosted by Calvary, Golden Valley, this Agora seminar was led by Dr. Craig Van Gelder, professor of congregational mission at Luther Seminary. Beginning with a brief review of the evolution of mission strategy In the United States and Canada over the last 50 years leading up to diverging trends of mega-church, revitalized, Emergent and immigrant congregations we know today, he turned the tables on the underlying principle for mission. Rather than Matthew 28 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” he proposed 2nd Corinthians 5:18-19 as the primary call for the church: “entrusting the ministry of reconciliation to us. ”The key framework for this is the kingdom of God/kingdom of heaven that Jesus describes in so many ways. It is a shift from being church-centered to being kingdom-centered. Rather than strategizing around establishing and sustaining congregations our mission is “to be” – to live out the gospel as communities that seek diversity, redemption and reconciliation. Together we reflected on Jesus’ mission into Samaritan villages; how from the very beginning Jesus was moving past barriers that had separated people offering shalom to all who would receive it.
We also had the opportunity to hear from four congregations; Bethlehem, St. Cloud; Central, Minneapolis; St. Paul’s, Minnetonka; and Atonement, Bloomington. They each described the joys and challenges they have experienced as they have pursued this new understanding of mission. It was good day with bright sunshine, encouraging relationships and plenty of food – for thought, too. Pastor Mark Vinge
mall group discussing How to grow church with diversity
Seminar panel leading a discussion on Creating and Sustaining Congregations with Diversity
Agora Circle growing with ALL people