Glocal Mission Gatherings
Workshop Descriptions
< Return to Glocal Mission Gatherings > Cross-Generational Engagement
Empower youth and all ages within the congregation for a local and global connection. Discover ways to meaningfully weave all generations into the life of mission. This workshop offers approaches beyond traditional, age-segregated classroom settings, and is intended for Sunday school teachers, youth and children ministers, parents, godparents, and all caring adults
Growing a Missional Congregation
This workshop offers the Biblical and theological foundation and effective strategies for creating a "missional climate" in congregations that will foster strategic outreach into the community with intentional conversations cross-culturally. The connections between hospitality, mission and accompaniment will be made and exercises from the resource "Talking Together As Christians Cross-Culturally" will be experienced.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
For over 72 years, LIRS has been the Lutheran expression of welcome for vulnerable migrants and refugees with a history of accompanying newcomers as their stories unfold and new lives and new dreams are realized.
Be informed: learn the current state of affairs in our nation for refugees, detained asylum seekers and torture survivors, unaccompanied refugee and migrant children and legislation that affect all newcomers to the US.
Be equipped: experience the full scope of powerful scripture based resources available for your congregation or student group.
Be engaged: learn the powerful ways that LIRS and your congregation can partner to develop new ways to be in relationship with newcomers and to live out the Christian call to welcome.
www.lirs.org Mental Health Ministry - Developing a Faith.Net for diagnosed individuals and their families - Sioux Falls, SD
This workshop will focus on educating about brain disorders and faith resources available for ministering to the unique needs of mental illness. Integration of medical and theological perspectives will be provided through presentations, interactive activities and discussions. Mental health resources to assist with pastoral care in the parish and home will also be provided.
Presenters: Barbara Wangsness, Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care, First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, SD Phyllis Arends, Executive Director, NAMI South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD
Mission 101
Explore the meaning and practice of mission. Why do we engage in mission? Where does mission occur? What does mission mean in our work together? And how do we express mission in our relationships, from the local community to the global communion? This workshop is geared toward all who are interested in engaging mission in context.
[See Mission 101 - Cary, NC for special focus in Cary, NC]Mission 101- Cary, NC
Explore mission with partners that share the common foundation, Jesus Christ, who enables us to engage in joint serve and united witness in the global village.
[Cary, NC ONLY]Mission Interpretation: Growing Your Mission Interpretation Ministry
How do you share with others how we make a difference in the lives of others through our giving? Learn how to start a Mission Interpretation Ministry in your congregation that will strenghten relationships, grow new leaders and increase giving.
[Mission Interpreters Network Only]
Music and Mission
Embrace and welcome all people through inclusive worship, and music. Explore global and local context in our sacred speech and song. This workshop focuses on using creative liturgy and global music to communicate mission in the congregation. It is designed for pastors, musicians, and worship leaders.
On the Move: Conversation on Faith and Migration Migration is at the core of the biblical narrative. Adam and Eve must leave the garden of Eden; Abraham and Sarah venture out with nothing but a promise; Moses guides the people across the sea and into freedom; Jesus begins his life as a refugee hiding from Herod. Part of the sustaining power of these religious narratives is drawn from the fact that they speak profoundly to our own stories of change-migrations across national or physical boundaries or beyond personal boundaries of belief and experience. Join us for conversation.
Radical Hospitality
Join members of The 99 Collective as we advocate, practice and struggle to live lives of Radical Hospitality. This group of young adult leaders is working to facilitate and inspire the church as we connect, experiment and act in response to the love of God. Learn about this new collection of young adult leaders who are taking the wisdom and justice tradition of the Lutheran church and running with it. Check us out ahead of time at
www.the99collective.com. All are welcome!
Rural Renewal - Sioux Falls, SD Can a small rural church move beyond surviving to thriving? Is it possible to be a renewed, evangelizing church in the rural setting? The answer to both questions is a resounding, "yes!" Many congregations around the region are finding that when congregation leaders, members and synod partners come together to seek God's purpose, deepen faith practices and become more deeply rooted in the community, rural congregations can and do grow. Participants will explore the basic principles of congregational renewal in the rural setting and see the creative ways that those principles are being applied across the region.
Presenter: Rev. Bill Tesch, Director of Evangelical Mission, SD Synod.
Short Term MissionEnter into a new understanding of global and local community through short-term mission trips. Learn how to approach planning, travel, and return with a focus on developing intentional and meaningful relationships, both within and between communities. This workshop addresses practical and conceptual aspects of short-term mission travel and the development of a local missional community, and is intended for members of supporting communities and congregations, travelers, and planners.
Social Action
Equip yourself with resources to effectively mobilize your congregation to act through giving, advocacy, and lifestyle choices. Using climate change as a case study, learn about the root causes of hunger and poverty. This workshop surveys practical approaches to social justice, and is geared toward people with beginning to moderate experience in justice work.
Stewardship: Embracing the Gifts of Diversity
What gifts have you discovered about your community? Learn how to discover, engage and connect the diversity of gifts in your community as resources for missional growth. Discern how these resources will nourish a spirit for ministry and generosity.
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