Ascension, Washington Crossing, and Living God, Honeybrook, are preparing to build their first units. Community of Love, Oxford, worships nearly 100 persons in a school cafeteria each week. Congregations are receiving evangelism training locally and sending leaders to conferences at places like Community Church of Joy in Arizona, Willowcreek Association in Illinois, and the Crystal Cathedral. If outreach teams are trained, prospects visited, and new members prepared, the pastor will not be doing something that he or she used to do. The boundary between the church and the world is porous.
People slide back and forth.
We cannot assume that new members know the Bible, understand stewardship, and can articulate their faith. Many churches are placing a high value on adult education and Sunday forums where faith is shared. The synod, LTSP and the ELCA have partnered in the Faith and Leadership Academy for lay leaders. Churches are focusing on Bible study, investing in library materials, learning and sharing on the Internet through MinistryLink and LutherLink. In some cases congregations want the pastor to do everything.