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“Transform” means to
“Change”
 | This is rarely a
positive sounding word in our circles,
but it’s very necessary if we are to
begin to move forward with Christ’s
Great Commission. |
| Ministry is never
healthy whenever a congregation’s
primary focus is on itself. |
| Honestly, this has
been the case for a number of years now
within all the LCMS, and our own
Florida-Georgia District. We’ve become
stagnant, lethargic. |
| We are answerable to
the Lord for all those who die without
Jesus! |
|
As a part of Synod’s
“Ablaze!” initiative, and along with
other districts across the country, TCN
seeks to bring about a systemic change
in how we do ministry as we seek to
reach the lost in our communities for
Jesus Christ. |
|
| The Florida-Georgia District |
| At our June 2009 FL-GA District
Convention, delegates unanimously
adopted this Resolution:
“Resolved, that…expand the
involvement of congregations for
revitalization through TCN with a goal
of having 50% of the District’s
congregations engaged in a
revitalization process by the 2015
convention.” That is a
long-reaching goal but one for which we
have been working since out pilot
project started in the Fall 2008. |
| As of April 2010, a total of 18
congregations have been through a
three-day TCN Consultation Weekend. Of
these, 12 have already agreed to their
five Prescriptions. |
| These congregations are working with
their assigned TCN Coach as well as a
Learning Community for the participating
pastors. |
| By God’s grace and a large number of
trained manpower, we are forging ahead
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The goal : to become
outwardly-focused in everything
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Too often, it is simply normal that a
congregation’s entire ministry revolves
around its own people, those already
within “the flock”.
|
|
Jesus calls us to enter out into our
world until we find each and every one
of those who are lost.
|
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This must be intentional, and a
congregation’s new top priority.
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As a whole, we have not been obeying our
Lord’s command.
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We need help to do this. It’s new; it’s
a “change”. It can be one for the
better!
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The training of TCN Consultants and TCN
Coaches are now readied to help.
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In-depth self-analysis prior to a
Consultation Weekend requires a
congregation to expend a great deal of
effort in working together with outside
resource people.
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|
| Turning with a new Vision |
| In some
instances, this is now already working
marvelously well. This is the Mission of
TCN. It’s a “network”, whereby we can
assist one another. |
Our Invitation
|
| We invite
congregations to learn more, to ask
questions, to explore with us to
eventually determine if your
congregation is a good candidate for the
TCN process. |
| We must warn
you – it is not easy to turn around, but
the momentum in our current direction
must be halted. A whole new focus can
begin to happen in the lives of
congregational members; it starts with
the senior pastor. |
| How might your
congregation become involved? Check with
us to see if it might be worth your
considering. |
|
| Our District’s TCN Structure |
| Rev. Ronald Biel serves as the
District TCN Coordinator |
| David Weidner of the FL-GA District
Office is the advisor representing
President Greg Walton. |
| Recently added as Coaching
Consultant is Rev. Scott Gress, called
by the national LCMS TCN organization.
We are most pleased to add his special
gifts assisting us in the important
coaching aspect of TCN. |
|
For further information:
Rev. Ron Biel, FL-GA District TCN Coordinator
352-399-5015
RDBMarco@aol.com
Rev. Scott Gress- TCN Coaching Consultant
scottgress@mac.com
David Weidner, FL-GA District TCN Advisor
877-457-5556, ext. 5
dweidner@flga-lcms.org
Synod’s national TCN Web Site also provides additional
information at
www.transformingchurchesnetwork.com
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