ELCA NEWS SERVICE October 10, 2005 ELCA Bishops Urged to Consider Gifts of Large Membership Congregations 05-190-JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Large-membership congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are "different" from other congregations and can be a valuable resource to the church at large. Most of the senior pastors of larger congregations want to be a vital part of the ELCA and are concerned about the future of the church. Those were among several observations offered Oct. 2 to the ELCA Conference of Bishops by the Rev. Mark A. Grorud, ELCA director of relationships with large membership congregations. Grorud came into the newly created churchwide staff position earlier this year. The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of the church, consisting of the ELCA's 65 synod bishops, presiding bishop and secretary. It met here Sept. 29-Oct. 3. Grorud said he is specifically called to work with congregations that average 750 people or more in worship each Sunday. There are 110 congregations that fit that profile in the ELCA, he said. The ELCA has 10,657 congregations. "I also define large congregations in context," Grorud said. "Every synod has large congregations. It is a matter of context. Unless every congregation in your synod is of the same size, you have larger congregations. Because of that, I see my ministry as a ministry to each synod and to the whole church, wherever I may be of assistance to you in your synod and ministry." Grorud said his work can be reduced to a two-word job description: "connection" and "advocacy." While he sees his work as helping to build stronger connections between congregations, synods and the churchwide organization, Grorud told the conference he also sees himself "as an advocate on behalf of larger congregations to churchwide and to synods, as well as being the church's advocate to congregations. In short, my challenge and my calling are all about relationships." In the past six months, Grorud said he has personally visited 74 congregations and about half of the church's synod bishops. In response Grorud said he has invited the senior pastors and staffs of all 110 large-membership congregations to a series of retreats in January and February. Eight regional meetings are being planned, all aimed at building connections and relationships, sharing ministry ideas and discussing specific issues. ELCA seminary presidents are expected to attend many of the events, he said. Since starting in the role, Grorud said he has encouraged others to understand that large-membership congregations aren't necessarily better than others -- just different. "They constitute an important segment of our church," Grorud said. "We can learn from large congregations. They are not perfect; they are not all great stewards. But many of them are, and they have the potential to share ideas and great enthusiasm with the church as whole," he said. Grorud shared six observations about large-membership congregations with the conference: + In general large congregations are more conservative than others. They often feel more isolated and disconnected from the wide church, but want to be more connected. These congregations are a tremendous resource to the church, with innovations in worship, education, outreach, social ministries and global ministry among other subjects. + Senior pastors of large congregations want to feel as though they are part of the ELCA, and they respect their bishops. They respect the jobs bishops perform and understand many of the difficulties a bishop faces. + Nearly all of the ELCA's large-membership congregations are "relieved" with the decisions of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly on sexuality recommendations it considered this past summer. Many that showed their concerns by withholding mission support funds have expressed a desire to get back on track with giving to the larger church. + Large-membership congregations are concerned about future leadership issues and transition issues. + Many large congregations want a stronger "accompaniment model." They desire to be better connected to the larger church and want support for their ministries. + Senior pastors of large-membership congregations are concerned about the future of the ELCA and that its membership has dropped below 5 million baptized members. They are concerned the ELCA "must find a focus and a sense of vision." Grorud offered some advice to the bishops when relating to large membership congregations. He suggested that they remember that large congregations are different than smaller congregations; that they spend time with the senior pastors of large congregations, including personal visits; that synods plan regular gatherings of senior pastors of large congregations with the bishop; that the bishops understand concerns larger congregations have about leadership and transitions; and that the bishops actively use the talents and abilities of leaders and members of large membership congregations. In a brief discussion following Grorud's presentation, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, told the conference that having a person in the churchwide organization working directly with large membership congregations is significant. "This is about deepening relationships," he said. "This is something we need to be doing and Mark (Grorud) is the person to do it." For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news