Overview
The reality that we face today within the ELCA and throughout the Christian community in our country is that many congregations are in various stages of decline. However, this situation can be managed and reversed. Many congregations are vital and thriving in this same environment.
To address the challenges of our current social environment, the first thing that could be valuable for all congregations is to conduct an honest assessment of their current condition. Acknowledging the fact that your congregation may be in decline is the first step in returning your worship community to a vital and important member of your neighborhood.
The Congregational Vitality Committee of the Grand Canyon Synod was created to shepherd in a new and dynamic era of partnership between congregations and the Grand Canyon Synod.
The goals of this committee are to:
Encourage congregations to conduct a self-assessment at least once per year.
Create a safe environment for congregations to feel comfortable to ask for help from the Synod before the congregation's situation becomes critical and beyond the point of reversing the downward trend.
Provide ongoing training and online resources to help congregations maintain and improve their health and vitality through effective ministries that meet the needs of their neighborhoods.
Recruit three teams of lay and rostered leaders to meet with and guide congregations through re-energizing and/or maintaining the focus and vitality of their ministries. (one group each in Tucson, Phoenix, and Las Vegas)
Train the members of these three teams and develop training programs and other resources for congregations.
Please join us in this exciting new chapter of mutual support within our synod. If you feel called to be a part of this ministry, please contact the synod office.
Resources
We invite congregations across the Grand Canyon Synod to engage deeply with the life and vitality of their ministry through the Congregational Vitality process. This process is designed to help congregations reflect thoughtfully on their strengths, challenges, opportunities, and hopes for the future through a guided assessment survey and conversation.
The process begins by connecting with the synod’s Congregational Vitality Team. Together, we will help arrange the survey and guide your congregation through a process of reflection, conversation, and discernment rooted in your unique context and ministry.
To begin, please contact Rev. David Pavesic, Director for Evangelical Mission, who will help you get started and answer any questions about the process.
Email Rev. David Pavesic: David.Pavesic@elca.org
Demographics
Learn about the demographic makeup of your neighborhoods by visiting the US Zip Codes demographics page here.
Other synod resources
We invite you to visit the congregational vitality pages of other synods: