Revitalization Update

[Jim Butler]

I'll just thankful my beloved DP said:  "No!" to it. 

And don't think I'm not for screens.  I totally am.  Just as long as they are rood screens. 

While my congregation is not in the Transforming consultation, I am in a Learning Community. I've read the first two books--Winning on Purpose and Direct Hit. So, I have to ask, "What Screens?"

One of the first things that the book _Winning on Purpose_ says that we should do is define boundaries; e.g. what are lines that cannot (not should not, but cannot) be crossed? There is no reason why a congregation cannot say, "One of our boundaries is traditional, Lutheran worship. We will not do anything else."

Both books emphasize that the pastor is to be leader in the congregation. No one else can do that job. The Church Council should set up the goals for the congregation, the boundaries that are to be followed, and see that the goals are being met within the boundaries. They would argue that our Councils should be smaller than they are and that many of the "program boards" that tend to be on the council (e.g. Christian Ed., Missions, etc.) should become volunteer staff because they deal with programs and not governance.

So far, I've been impressed with what I've read. Instead of hearing that we should be ashamed of being Lutheran and tossing things like liturgy, I've been encouraged to be Lutheran (both books tell you to hold to your theological distinctiveness) and setting boundaries that you can work within.

[Dave Benke]

Here I'm with Jim in trying to figure out Pr. W's screen screed (Screen screed - I even liked that and I wrote it) at the same time as I agree with Jim's understandings from his involvement in Transforming Learning Community to date.  I'm against rude screens and in favor of rood screens.   

If Transforming Congs is viewed as the anti-liturgical movement, which is what I'm taking your comment to mean, then I'm not catching that.  There is going to be conversation about appropriate diversity in worship inside the bounds of LCMS propriety, but most of the conversation has to do with getting OUTSIDE the sanctuary and hanging out with people.  This you have said, good W., that you favor, NOT just as the function of the laity in the marketplace, but in the pastoral role as exemplar.   And if they come in, spying your shadow there all ghostly and funky behind the rood screen, as you always are, maybe it will attract them to the message of Hope you're proclaiming.  Wizard! 

Dave Benke

[Richard Johnson]

I'll just thankful my beloved DP said:  "No!" to it. 

And don't think I'm not for screens.  I totally am.  Just as long as they are rood screens. 

[Charles_Austin]

a typographical error clouded the bishop's clever twist on the upstream comment:
I think he meant to say:
I'm opposed to rude screeds and in favor of rood screens.

[Dave Benke]

Well done, Charles.  Well done.

Dave Benke