Welcome to AGORA
The mission of Agora is to equip congregations to grow and flourish with ALL people in their neighborhoods.
The Greek word Agora means market place. The Apostle Paul preached in the marketplace (Agora) in Athens during his second missionary journey (49-52 AD).
Agora began in 1999 as a ministry of the Minneapolis Area Synod, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). This program grew out of the commitment of the ELCA to assist congregations to grow and flourish by increasing the diversity of its membership. Agora established programs to reach this goal, including cultural and mission awareness training for congregational leaders and a Discipleship Academy for leaders of new immigrant worshiping communities.
In 2003, Agora became a separately registered 501 c-3 organization to make its ministry and programs available to more synods and congregations in Minnesota and in the United States. During the past ten years of ministry, over 850 congregational leaders received mission awareness training and 38 worshipping partnerships have been established between host congregations and new immigrant worshipping communities. The Agora Discipleship Academy has provided training and support for 185 leaders.
______________________________________________________
Agora Discipleship Academy, 2010-2011
The mission of the Agora Discipleship Academy is to prepare and inspire newer Americans and people born in the United States to follow Jesus in their personal lives and to become leaders in Christian communities who will minister to all people.
The Agora Discipleship Academy meets ever other Saturday, September through March, 8:30 a.m. - Noon, to study scripture, church history, areas of congregational life, and leadership. Instructors for the Discipleship Academy include pastors of local congregations and members of the faculties of Luther Seminary and Augsburg College. The sessions are held at Central Lutheran Church, 333 South 12th Street, in downtown Minneapolis. Dates for the 2010-2011 classes are:
| 2010 | 2011 |
| September 11 | January 8 |
| September 25 | January 22 |
| October 9 (Seminar) |
February 5 |
| October 23 | February 19 |
| November 6 | March 5 |
| November 20 | March 19 |
| December 4 | April 8, 9, 10 (Weekend Retreat) |
Registration form for Discipleship Academy 2010-2011
______________________________________________________
Agora Growing Church Seminar
Saturday, October 9, 2010
“Who is my neighbor?” will be the question participants address at Agora’s annual Growing Church Seminar, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 9 at Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley. Professor David Lose of Luther Seminary will help participants begin to answer the question with his presentation, “Seeing Our Neighbor with New Eyes.” Pastor Nirmala Reinschmidt , Zion Lutheran Church, will respond to the question as pastor of a congregation in an ethnically and racially diverse neighborhood in St. Paul. Leaders of congregations will tell of their experiences and successes in engaging the new neighbors in their communities. Ethnic music and displays will be offered throughout the day, and lunch will be catered by Lemon Grass Kitchen.
Cost for “Who is My Neighbor?” is $20 per person, or $75 for a congregational group of four. Registration forms are available (click here).
2010 Seminar registration
______________________________________________________