Getting to Know Our Districts and Fellowships
One of the first questions people ask me when we begin a conversation about forming or renewing a district or fellowship is, “Why would we do that?” It’s a good question. After all, we have functioned perfectly well for twenty years with only a small portion of our congregations being actively involved in a district or fellowship. Why would we want to change that?
The time when everyone in our association knew everyone else is long past. In response to that we are seeking to be more intentional about encouraging relationships of mutual support and accountability among congregations and pastors. The goal is not to create hierarchy or bureaucracy, but to be the church together in ways that make sense in our differing contexts.
We will be taking the next several months in our newsletter to spend some time introducing the districts and fellowships of our association so that you can learn more about what they do and how they serve the congregations that participate in them. This is a start toward answering that question, “Why would we do that?” As you get to know what the districts and fellowships are up to in LCMC, perhaps you will see something that you can imagine would be helpful in your area. And perhaps the question will become, “Why wouldn’t we do that?”
Author
Julie Smith is LCMC's Coordinator for Districts and Fellowships and a life-long Lutheran. Her main hobby is running around to whatever activities her seven nieces and nephews are involved in. She is a sports fan, and while high school football is a favorite, NBA games featuring any former Minnesota Timberwolves are a close second. Like all Minnesotans, Julie believes as many summer days as possible should be spent at the lake, with the Twins on the radio. Please don't ask her about the Vikings.
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