Florida-Bahamas Synod

Sharing Christ + Making Disciples + Doing Justice

Resource Center News

Monthly updates from the Resource Center of the Florida-Bahamas Synod include the latest in curriculum, lectures, workshops, webinars, and more opportunities and resources for equipping pastors and lay leaders.

New DVD Leadership Resources

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Seeing Red Cars is a 10 minute DVD that encourages leaders to focus on what they DO want instead of what they don’t.  This will help church councils, committees, teams and staff to make better decisions, combat negativity and create a positive environment.

The Power of Vision demonstrates that having a positive vision of the future is the most forceful motivator for change and success for groups.  This inspirational program is 30 minutes long.

The Business of Paradigms shows how there will always be another solution to the problem and there will always be another door to go through to get to the future. This program helps groups confront the perceptions that can blind them to change and transform the fear of change into flexible and open attitudes.  38 minutes.

New DVD Available from the Resource Center

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Servant or Sucker?  Wise and Compassionate Ways to Help the Poor is now available for check out at the Resource Center.  This 5 session program helps viewers discern appropriate, Christ-centered actions when it comes to addressing poverty on a personal or organizational level.  Included are realities of poverty such as the concepts of time, relationships, money and values; a poverty tour; interviews; and steps the viewers can take to be effective servants.  A free leader’s guide is included on the DVD.

Lenten Reflections on Climate Change

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Sign up to receive Lenten reflections that explore climate change and how it relates to each one of us in our daily lives and communities at www.elca.org/advocacy  . Each week the series will explore a new issue and provide ways that you and your congregation can help address climate change.

Download Free Resources

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  • The Parish Paper offers free resources on the Planning Process, Core Values, Prayer Development, and Financial Stewardship at www.TheParishPaper.com website.  You can also find 34 volumes of Church Effectiveness Nuggets.
  • Youth Leader Resources:For a free E-newsletter and other free resources and go to www.ymtoday.com

Who Ya' Gonna Call? Spring, 2011

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New from Augsburg Fortress


WashedandWelcomeWashed and Welcome: A Baptism Sourcebook
This book is a practical theological resource to help pastors walk parents and sponsors through the various parts of baptism. The book includes reproducible pages for parents and sponsors, session options, resource lists, practical helps related to a congregation's total baptismal ministry, handouts, bulletin inserts, and more.

Read more: Who Ya' Gonna Call?  Spring, 2011

Fall 2010 New Resources

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Who Ya’ Gonna Call?  Fall 2010


AdventBook of Faith Advent Reflections

Our own Pastor Andrew Hagen, who serves at Advent, Boca Raton, is a co-author of The Book of Faith Advent Reflections:  I Wonder as I Wander.  Each week of Advent, readers will focus on one of these four themes - hope, love, joy and peace. Along with the daily readings and reflections, a weekly Bible study is also included, as well as a section with weekly activity ideas for families to help link church and home

http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store

worshipA Field Guide to Contemporary Worship: How to Begin and Lead Band Based Worship

Pastor at Cross+Road in Orange Park, Pastor Jim Graeser co-authored this guide for anyone thinking about starting a contemporary worship service. The book is an essential reference work for those wondering about the nuts and bolts of instrumentation, arranging, working with microphones and speakers, and much more!  It will be available November 1, 2010

http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store

The Hardest Question

The most difficult question for lectionary preachers and teachers is simply this: What fresh and compelling word of the Lord for my congregation can be found in the lectionary readings of the day? Perhaps you’ve been through years A, B, and C for more than a few cycles.  Or maybe the demands of ministry in the trenches have left you short on both time and inspiration.  Whatever the cause of hermeneutical malaise, The Hardest Question is for you.

Take  look at http://www.thehardestquestion.org

greenfaith2GreenFaith has Resources

GreenFaith provides a variety of tools and resources to help houses of worship, faith-based schools and other religious institutions undertake environmental work. From sample prayers and religious education curricula, to tips for 'greening' the building and help with undertaking environmental justice advocacy, GreenFaith is a one-stop shop for religious-environmental work.  Take a look at www.greenfaith.org

BiblicalstewardshipMark Allan Powell DVD now available

Now available at the Resource Center for check out is Biblical Stewardship Our Duty and Delight DVD course featuring Dr. Mark Allan Powell from Trinity Lutheran Seminary.   The course consists of seven video sessions and comprehensive group and individual study materials on CD-Rom.  For more information see http://www.selectlearning.org

The Whys and Hows of Money Leadership

A curriculum for those who want to work toward deeper understanding of stewardship.  Seven lessons are designed to be taught to congregational leaders in formal and informal settings. http://archive.elca.org/stewardship/money_leadership



Helpful Links for Stewardship

Reproducible materials, Spanish Resources, Financial Response Methods and many more helpful links for stewardship can be found at http://archive.elca.org/stewardship


Great Ideas

Nooma videos are ever popular with youth and adults.  Would you like a list of descriptions, along with corresponding scripture?  What about a power point to be used for an entire Taize Worship Service?  For these and many other tools and ideas, go to http://www.myfaithmylife.org/tools.html


October 15, 2010 deadline to respond to Draft Genetics Social Statement

This is a reminder, that you still have until October 15 to respond to the draft statement on Genetics.  For a downloadable copy of the draft statement, timeline, and to respond, go to http://www.elca.org/genetics


mapmakingMissional Map-Making and The Greatest Story now at Synod bookstore for puchase

Missional Map-Making by Alan Roxburgh explains in detail the knowledge and skills are needed for leaders to nurture their congregation’s environment as they reach out to their surrounding community.

To see a video of the author talking about the book go to http://www.pursuantgroup.com/leadnet


Greateststory

The Greatest Story:  An Introduction to the Bible

is a 16-session course is for anyone who wants to get a big-picture overview of the Bible.  As part of the Book of Faith Initiative, there is a creative and artistic DVD for each session along with leader guide and participant book.  To see a sample from the DVD go to http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store










Cleaning Off Candle Wax?

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Wax-Off Spray is a quick spritz that makes it easy to scrape away any hardened wax.  A 4-ounce bottle

For more information go to http://www.judaism.com/display.asp?nt=DH&keyword=Candle Wax&startPlace=18&etn=JBAII

Cleaning Out Books?

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Are you cleaning things out of your bookshelves for the New Year?  LILAP (Lutheran International Library Assistance Program) accepts donations of classic, academic biblical and theological books, Greek and Hebrew materials, study Bibles.  (They will NOT accept older hymnals and Bibles, books in poor condition or musty, popular religious materials)  These donations go to seminaries, Bible colleges around the world.  Note:  Due to funding cutbacks, a $.25 per book donation will be requested.

For more information, click on www.luthersem.edu/library/lilap.asp or  write This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 651-641-3251.