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.
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The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church
For many, the church has forfeited its given role to lead people to God by becoming fixed on questions of its own existence or effectiveness rather than on the Gospel. Sometimes, even "insiders" feel like outsiders when their ideas are met with responses that shoot down an outreach idea.
These are quotes taken from our discussion of Reggie McNeal's book in the Synod-wide online summer reading book club. Have you been reading? Did you just get the book? It's not too late to join the discussion. You are elcome to sign in, leave an observation, opinion or impression on any of the threads of conversation. You can also find an idea for "taking grace to the streets" or a new way of doing confirmation Go to www.fbsynod.com/making-disciples/resource-center/book-club
re:form DVD now available
Every congregation will want to have at least one copy of the new re:form DVD, leader guide and anti-workbook! This wildly creative, joyful without being silly, humorous without being disrespectful, right-on theological DVD answers questions that I had in Jr. High and ever since. I wish this had existed way back then! The DVD contains short segments with questions we all ask, such as "Is the Bible true?" "Am I supposed to believe that Mary was a virgin?" "Why does the Bible contradict itself at times?" "Did God create the devil?" 40 questions such as these are answered with clarity, grounded in Lutheran theology, in accessible language without being condescending, and with graphics that are credative and will age well. Creative ideas for activities and discussion quesitons are contained in the anti-workbook and leader guide. This is a good investment for your congregation. Even though this is listed under confirmation curriculum, it would be appropriate for new member classes, adult small groups, Bible studies, claases of any age, youth retreats, youth meetings, devotions for church council or any meeting, Bible study for women's and men's groups, and on and on. To find out more, click on www.wearesparkhouse.org/reformSparkhouse is a division of Augsburg Fortress.
Curriculum Galore!
Take a look at Lesson Plans that Work based on the Three-year Lectionary from the Episcopal Church. There are three lessons for each Sunday--young children, older children and adults. You'll also find intergenerational lessons for some major feast days. www.epsicopalchurch.org/107900.ENG.HTM.htm At rotation.org, lessons based on the Rotation Workshop model and developed by Sunday School teachers are free! Enhanced benefits are at this site for a small yearly fee. Take a look at www.rotation.org40 Free Relational Faith and Life Discussions, each written by a Peer Ministry Leadership student at Augsburg college or Concordia University are available. Each conversational Bible Study is based on one of the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets. Go to www.peerministry.org and click on "Resources" and then click on "40 Free Discussions" tab.
Faith Lens, found at the ELCA website is a weekly Bible study that engages youth and adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith and everyday life. www.elca.org/faithlensSpark offers three curriculum models--classroom, lectionary, rotation. This new, engaging and excellent Sunday School curriculum is both online and in print form. You are invited to take a test drive at www.activatefaith.org
Confirmation Curriculum
Here We Stand--New and Improved! Pricing for the new Here We Stand is based on the number of participants in the confirmation program. Take a look at the new redesigned website at www.augsburgfortress.org/herewestand To see the pricing guide, click on "sign up."
Draft Genetics Social Statement
The ELCA Task Force on Genetics is looking for your response to the draft social statement by October 15, 2010 You can find information about a complimentary copy of the DVD, Cracking the Code of Life--a supplemental educational resource that is part of the PBS Nova series as well as the study document, the draft social statement and more information at www.elca.org/genetics
Resources
Each fall and winter, Select Learning offers online courses. These courses can be used to prepare fo the Associate in Ministry roster or for general interest purposes. The classes combine lectures on DVD, textbook reading and online discussion with fellow students from across the country with a theologian facilitator. This option gives you the opportunity to learn from an ELCA seminary without travel. For a list of courses being offered this fall, click on www.selectlearning.org or email
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if you have questions.
Social Media and Your Church
Since all of us in the church are involved in Youth and Family ministry--directly or indirectly, the many resources posted at Youth Ministry Network are excellent for us all. www.elcaymnet.org One of the most instructive pages on this website is Tech Geek. A great page to learn about Facebook privacy is www.elcaymnet.org/_blog/Tech_Geek/post/Facebook_Privacy Want to learn about Facebook etiquette? click on www.elcaymnet.org/_blog/Tech_Geek/post/Facebook_Etiquette For these and other resources and questions, Who Ya' Gonna Call? The Resource Center! 813-876-7660 ext 229 or email
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.
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Got ELCA-primary health coverage? This year, earn ALL your wellness dollars — $150 for taking the health assessment, $300 for doing follow-up activities like the GO! Challenge. https://www.elcabop.org
The Hyatt Regency in downtown Tampa will host the National Workshop on Christian Unity on April 19-22, 2010. This event offers seminars for all who are concerned with Christian unity and ecumenism and provides for an exchange of ideas and experiences among laity, clergy, ecumenical officers and theologians. Nationally recognized speakers include Archbishop of Atlanta Wilton D. Gregory, The Most Reverend Katherine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, Rev. Dr. Bruce Chilton, Professor of New Testament at the Bard College, and Rev. Dr. William G. Rusch from Yale University and New York Theological Seminary. For more information and registration go to http://www.nwcu.org/events/2010NWCU-Tampa.htm
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.
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.
This event will feature Dr. Gail Ramshaw and Dr. Gordon Lathrop. Mark Mummert will head up the Music and Worship Team. This event will be held at the Duncan Retreat Center in Delray Beach, Florida July 29-August 1, 2010. For more information go to www.catechumenate.org.
re:form DVD now available 
Curriculum Galore! 
Draft Genetics Social Statement
Resources
Social Media and Your Church