Monthly Archives: May 2016

Next Steps in the Church’s Quest to Seek Justice

in At Transform Minnesota, News. Posted May 31, 2016
God’s heart for justice and mercy is beating strongly here in the Twin Cities! The first Twin Cities Justice Weekend was a giant success. The president of the International Justice Mission (IJM) encouraged churches to seek justice as a calling from God. We learned that human trafficking is a money driven enterprise and the buyers are the fuel that keep it running, according to Sgt. Grant Snyder of the Minneapolis Police Department. Sgt. Snyder encouraged church leaders to address the problems of human trafficking by starting with the offenders, who are often men who attend our churches. Find out how Twin Cities churches can continue to be a part of the quest to end modern-day slavery. Let's not allow the momentum to slow down - Let justice roll on like a river!
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Fundraising as Ministry

in News. Posted May 31, 2016
Fundraising is an unfortunate term – it puts the onus on the act of raising funds. Yet, we believe fundraising is a ministry in itself, not just a way to fund your ministry. Fundraising needs to be a proclamation that our loving God is in our midst, that His Spirit is moving to accomplish this plan, and that we get to be participants with Him. We invite people, and give them the opportunity to become a part of this movement that God is doing in our midst. Whether we are asking for money or giving money, we are drawn together by God, who is about to do a new thing through our collaboration.
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Pastor’s Column: How To Be a Missionary in Your Community

in News, Pastor's Column. Posted May 23, 2016
For our Pastor’s Column series, pastors in Rochester, MN are sharing how their churches do ministry and outreach in this growing diverse medical community. One of the unique situations that POBLO (People of the Book Lutheran Outreach) has in Rochester is the effect that the Mayo Clinic has on the immigrant population. The POBLO International Friendship Center often reaches out to Muslim students and Chinese students who are in Rochester as research fellows at the Mayo Clinic or family members of a research fellow. FInd out how POBLO staff and volunteers reach out to Rochester's immigrant population by forming real friendships during the short-time they are living in Minnesota.
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Revitalizing Stalled, Slipping and Status Quo Churches

in News. Posted May 9, 2016
As some established churches find themselves dwindling in numbers, lacking energy or stalling out at status quo, it's important for church leadership to do the hard work of revitalizing a church before it's too late. We look into a number of examples of slipping churches who have either merged with other churches, gone through leadership counselling or embarked on a vitality process, in order to reboot their church with energy, health, and a passion to honor the legacy of the Gospel, and reach their community. Read how every church could use a Holy Spirit shake-up to keep or redirect their church on a healthy mission-minded path.
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UNITE NDOP Launches Summer Youth Prayer Movement, Together 2016

in News. Posted May 9, 2016
UNITE National Day of Prayer was held on May 5, 2016 at Mariucci Arena. Thousands of believers in the Twin Cities came together, regardless of generation, denomination or background to UNITE under the banner of heaven. In the spirit of this youth movement of prayer, we are excited to share PULSE’s summer prayer event in Washington D.C. called TOGETHER 2016, a national campaign to bring 1 million people to the National Mall for a day of worship and prayer on Saturday, July 16. Find out how your church can cover this event in prayer and join the prayer movement.
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Minn. Liberian Immigrant Congregation Builds First Church in U.S.

in News. Posted May 3, 2016
We are happy to celebrate one of our network churches as they reach a milestone that is among a first for a local immigrant congregation. Ebenezer Community Church will be the first predominantly Liberian immigrant congregation from Africa to build a building in the U.S. The $2.8 million building project is nearing completion, and the congregation plans to move into its new home in Brooklyn Park at the end of May.
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