The Purpose of Healthier Leaders Serving Healthier Communities is to provide space and resources for congregational teams and rostered ministers to grow and strengthen the overall vitality of their ministries.
The Vision of Healthier Leaders Serving Healthier Communities is that every congregation and every rostered minister will be whole and healthy witness of the good news Jesus Christ in their daily lives and congregational ministry.
The Process of Healthier Leaders Serving Healthier Communities invites a congregational team of six (5 lay leaders and 1 rostered minister) to attend 4 retreats over the course of 12 months.
Retreat 1 April 6,7, 8 2018 2 nights, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Retreat 2 October 6, 7 2018 1 night, 2 days Saturday am- Sunday afternoon
Retreat 3 January 18, 19 2019 Friday night and all-day Saturday
Retreat 4 April 2019 All day Saturday TBD
During each retreat we …
- Address the characteristics of vital congregations and provide resources to improve vitality.
(Each congregation will take the Congregational Vitality Survey to identity ministry strengths and growth areas.)
- Introduce and provide time to practice new ways of praying and worship experiences
- Teach and provide resources about healthy leadership skills
- Learn how to learn, learning to lead in this time of adaptive change
- Provide time and space for teams to meet with a coach during the retreat. (After each retreat team will continue to meet with coach to work on goals set by the team.)
- Clarify the expectations and roles of lay, rostered leaders in vital congregational ministry
Vital Congregations Retreat 1 April 6, 7, 8,2018
Connect with God
Have a clear sense of mission
Focus on doing God’s work
Willing to change and try new things to live into God’s mission
Deepens faith in God, helps adults and children grow in faith
Worship is joyful, filled with prayer and a sense of God’s presence
Vital Congregations Retreat 2 October 6,7, 2018
Connect with each other
Welcome visitors, accept newcomers, incorporate new people in the life of the congregation
Caring and supportive of members in times of need
Uses the gifts of all
Involves all ages in decision making
Manages disagreements in a healthy manner
Close knit and buildings healthy relationships
Vital Congregations Retreat 3 January 18,19, 2019
Connects with the world
Helps people live out faith in daily life
Is a positive force in the community
Equips people to share their faith
Advocates for social justice
Partners with other congregations
Serves those in need
Vital Congregations Retreat 4 April 2019 TBD
Connect with other vital congregations
Celebrating successes and sharing failures
Best practices, collecting ideas,
Reflect on the learning, learn from each other
Evaluate
Make plans for next steps
Your Healthier Leaders Serving Healthier Communities TEAM: This is a wellness model. We accompany you on your journey toward becoming healthier! We provide resources, space to practice new skills, and a coach to guide you as you set new goals for yourself and your congregation. We don’t have a prescription, magic wand or a silver bullet. There are no easy answers in church leadership today, but we are hopeful and committed to walking this journey with you.
- Barbara Solsaa-Clergy Life Coaching
- Tammy Devine, Portico
- Richard Bruesehoff, Spiritual Director, Portico-retired
- Greg Kaufmann, Assistant to the Bishop NWSWI
- Laurie Skow-Anderson, DEM, Assistant to the Bishop NWSWI
The cost of each retreat is $200 per congregation due at the time of the retreat. (The actual cost of each retreat is around $100 per person. The balance is covered by the ELCA Renewal Grant.)