(Part 2)

Forget time-consuming market research and sophisticated member surveys -- a quick look at a church parking lot often can tell you all you need to know about congregational health. Recently, a man emerged from his car at the newly consolidated ELCA Parish in Middletown, Conn. As he entered the narthex, the newcomer asked the first person he saw, "Is this a Catholic church?" He seemed puzzled that the parking lot at this vibrant Lutheran church had so few empty spaces.

 

Indeed, exciting things are happening in Middletown, Conn. these days. As Congregation Council President Deanna Ray explains it, "We've stepped out in a big way. Every day is a walk of faith, and we keep journeying together." For Christ Lutheran Church and St. Paul's Lutheran Church,  that means answering important questions like, "Why did God put us together in Middletown?" and "How can we do what matters in this community?"

 

Last month, approximately 70 members from the former congregations gathered together for a retreat with the Rev. Lisa Hazelwood, the New England Synod's Ministry Specialist for Congregational Health and the associate pastor of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Charlestown, R.I. Now unified in mission and ministry, The ELCA Parish of Middletown celebrated its public identity as a newly consolidated worshipping community by working together to discern their purpose and guiding principles. 

 

After re-affirming their strengths together, members read and listened to different passages from the Bible to see where they fit into God's story. Using Acts 20:13-38, they moved toward determining the guiding principles that would shape their decision making and all of their future work together. As Deanna said,  "We are going to live into God's purpose for us, as we have come to understand it. And we're going to do it together. We wouldn't have it any other way."

 

(Continues next week)