God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1Corinthians 1:9
The River of Life
St. Luke, St. Paul and St. Peter's Congregations in Cooperative Ministry
The River of Life is a cooperative ministry.
It is congregations...
working to discern God's call to mission
sharing resources, staff and accountability for the journey
preserving their identities of name and place.
It is more than pooling resources.
It is each member and person involved asking,
"What has God given me to bring to the table for sharing in ministry?"
"What might sharing the love of Jesus look like at this time?"
St. Luke, St. Paul and St. Peter's Congregations in Cooperative Ministry
The River of Life is a cooperative ministry.
It is congregations...
working to discern God's call to mission
sharing resources, staff and accountability for the journey
preserving their identities of name and place.
It is more than pooling resources.
It is each member and person involved asking,
"What has God given me to bring to the table for sharing in ministry?"
"What might sharing the love of Jesus look like at this time?"
St. Paul, St. Luke and St. Peter;
together in the River of Life.
Three congregations with one mission - God's work.
Worshiping, working and rejoicing together in our community.
Sharing, supporting and giving through our gifts and talents.
A reunion of the Spirit moving among three congregations of His church.
Ministering to one another and sharing the love of Christ Jesus.
Coordinating our efforts and cooperating in the work of our Lord.
Communicating in thought, word and prayer for one another.
God working in all three congregations so we may unite, together, to do His work in our world.
What does cooperative ministry ask of people?
- Openness... to the Spirit
- Flexibility... in planning, scheduling, coordinating and in expectations
- Conversation... new structure requires a new communication network
- Persistence... people tend to resist the unfamiliar
- Evaluation... what does/doesn't work
How we cooperate
- Responsibility for presiding at worship and pastoral care in a congregation rotates monthly.
- Representatives of the congregations and the pastors meet every two months as a Coordinating Team in order to plan, communicate and to coordinate ministry.
- Congregational Councils function as before.
- Pastors and congregations have committed to a 5 year partnership, with a possibility of continuing the relationship.
Ministries we share
- Catechism, Vacation Bible School, Youth Activities, First Communion Workshop
- Annual Picnic, Movie night, other fellowship
- Worship midweek during Advent and Lent
- Of the Land and Seasons -- Service of Holy Communion, quarterly
- Bible studies, workshops, retreats, faith formation events
- Finances -- shared support for pastoral compensation, relative to size
- Missions: County Fair booth, Prayer Card ministry, Page One Food Pantry, Hurricane re-build mission trip, others
Resources:
Virginia Synod
Cooperating Congregations, by William Avery and Gilson Waldkoening, 1999. Alban Institute; Case Studies of cooperating congregations.
Small, Strong Congregations, by Kennon Callahan, 2000. Josey-Bass Press
Cooperating Congregations, by William Avery and Gilson Waldkoening, 1999. Alban Institute; Case Studies of cooperating congregations.
Small, Strong Congregations, by Kennon Callahan, 2000. Josey-Bass Press
Links:
Join us on Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/RiverOfLifeLutheranChurches
St. Paul's Lutheran Church Web site -- http://www.stpauluthshenva.com/