The initial "Re-Imagining Your Future" summit was held for Northwest Region churches on August 26, 2023 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Napoleon, Ohio.
Three more regional summits will be held between September and November.
Sixteen churches participated in the summit, represented by about 60 pastors and lay leaders. The summit’s morning sessions helped leaders assess their congregation's health, unpacked challenges society presents to the church and explore community outreach. The afternoon sessions started with a Scripture study. This was followed by a process for each church team to outline a plan of next steps moving forward as a congregation.
Deaconess Dorcel Dowdell and Elder Dennis McGhee from St. Philip Lutheran Church in Toledo, OH attended the summit. In an email exchange about the summit, Deaconess Dorcel said:
“The presenter was excellent. It was great to see members of our sister congregations, to share "best practices" and the concept of larger churches with more resources helping smaller churches to thrive is a wonderful idea. In the long run, a few years down the road, the Ohio District congregations should see a big difference.”
Pastor Mark Love, NW3 Circuit Visitor, shared that he appreciated how congregational representatives were able to examine their congregations in understandable terms. The examination led to considering real next steps that the leaders would recommend to their congregations. Pastor Love shared that the summit offered leaders the opportunity to explore how they will best be able to have Word and Sacrament ministry continue into the future.
The next Re-Imagining Your Future Summit is for the Southeast Region on Saturday, September 30, 2023. It will be from 9 am to 3 pm at Prince of Peace Columbus, OH. There is no cost for registration and lunch is provided. The summits are designed for a team of three to five congregational leaders, including the pastor. You can register HERE.
The Northeast and North Central regional summit will be Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hudson, OH.
The Southwest regional summit will be Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Cincinnati, OH.
You can register for any of these Re-Imagining Your Future Summits HERE.
The summits are sponsored by the Ohio District. Primary funding is provided by the Lutheran Church Extension Fund with additional financial assistance approved by the Ohio District Board of Directors.
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