08/27/2014

Northwest Ohio Synod Invites SOS Members to Two Upcoming Events in October

Sustaining Disciples in Worship
Saturday, 18 October 2014
Emanuel Lutheran Church Marion, OH

Pastor Paul Hoffman comes to us from Seattle, WA where he has had almost two decades of experience in forming new adult Christians and preparing them for baptism and life as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Along with his congregation, Phinney Ridge Lutheran, Pastor Hoffman re-appropriated for a secular, post-Christian urban setting the ancient practices of forming faith through the basic gifts of our tradition: worship, Bible study, prayer, and service to the world.

Saturday's workshop will offer participants the opportunity to hear the story of this ministry and its dual gifts of bringing new men and women to the faith we cherish but also being renewed in congregational life and mission as a result. Through a keynote presentation, Bible study, hands-on learning, and shared formationally-crafted worship, we ourselves will be formed into a community of faith for this shared experience together, departing to our places of ministry with a renewed sense of conviction and passion for the ministries to which Christ calls us.

This is an excellent opportunity for pastors, rostered leaders, and laypersons to learn and experience the vitality of faith formation together. An ideal congregational contingent for the day would be the pastor(s) or rostered leader(s), congregational lay leaders in the areas of worship, outreach, education, and social ministry, and parish musicians and worship planners.

Lunch will be provided. Please bring $5 to offset the cost of the meal provided by Emanuel Lutheran Church Marion, Ohio.

Register at https://sustainingdisciples.eventbrite.com

Can this Church Live?: The Miracle of Life in Forming New Christians
Monday, 20 October 2014 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
St. John Lutheran (Windfall) Cardington, OH

Geared primarily for rostered leaders, this three hour session will expose those in parish ministry to the basics of Catechumenal formation and baptismal preparation. Participants will begin with a shared Bible study, modeling the small group ministry of weekly Scripture reflection that forms the core of faith formation. They will hear the specifics of organizing for a starting point with which to begin a Catechumenal practice in their own parishes. And they will be offered the opportunity to reflect with Pastor Hoffman on the questions that arise from our group's conversation about outreach and formation in Northwest Ohio. Each participant will receive, as a part of their $30 registration fee for the morning, a free copy of either of Pastor Hoffman's books: Faith Forming Faith, or Faith Shaping Ministry. Conversations may continue over a light lunch that will be served.

Payment for the event will be the day of. Cash, check, debit/credit card will be accepted. Registration is at 9:30 am.

Register at https://canthischurchlive.eventbrite.com