Return to the Homepage Home
 Worship Schedules, Education, Fellowship, Outreach Worship & Service
 Sermon Archive Sermons
 A copy of the Sunday Prayers of Intercession Prayers
 Pastor Lynne's monthly newsletter Pastor's Page
 Articles and tidbits from the monthly newsletter Newsletter
 This month's events as well as the monthly calendar Current Events
 Read the Sunday School News Letter! Sunday School News
 Events for grades 7 to 12 Youth
 Other websites of interest Links
  
 Login to Administer this site Admin Login

St. Luke's Zion Lutheran Church
2903 McPhillips Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
CANADA R2P 0H3
http://www.stlukeszion.ca

Phone: (204) 339-0412
Fax: (204) 339-0412
E-mail: stlukeszionchurch@gmail.com
site design by clayton rumley

 


Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

click here for past entries

What is God’s Purpose Here?

Beginning last year with a small group study, and continuing at a congregational retreat in May, we have been working on the purpose and guiding principles for St. Luke’s Zion.  This work has been rooted and grounded in a study of the book of Acts, particularly chapters 2, 10 and 16.  In each case we asked what God was doing, what the people of faith were doing, and what lessons can be learned from each of those chapters.  We also asked what principles were guiding them as they made their decisions.  The answers to these questions, as well as much of the work from the congregational retreat, remain on display on the basement walls.

So why would we bother to work on these things?  Why would we want to be clear about the purpose and guiding principles for St. Luke’s Zion?

In a study of ELCA Lutheran churches in the U.S., there were only two factors that set apart vibrant and growing congregations from those that were declining.  It had nothing to do with the type of music, or marketing strategies, or adding new programs, or even an emphasis on evangelism.  The two things that set apart the vibrant congregations were these:  A clear sense of purpose, and an openness to change in order to be faithful.  That was it.  And that is why being clear about our purpose is important.

However, this doesn’t happen without as many people as possible being involved in the discussion.  As a follow-up to the retreat, we have now come up with a proposed purpose and guiding principles to be studied and discussed.  These have come out of our study of the book of Acts, as well as discussion at the retreat and afterwards.  In the coming weeks and months there will be opportunities to sign up for small group discussion  times.  Please participate in at least one of these discussions!

The purpose and guiding principles are not intended to be discussed and then forgotten, but to be used all the time – especially when making decisions as a congregation.  We would be asking questions like: How does this help us to fulfill our purpose?  How do we follow our guiding principles in this situation?  Our decisions would be based on our part in God’s mission in the world and on our study of the Scriptures, and not just on our opinions at the time.

And so, in order that you can start thinking and discussing, here is our proposed purpose and guiding principles:

Our purpose is to share God’s love with all people.

Guiding Principles:

  1. Jesus is Lord and Saviour.
  2. Prayer and worship strengthen us.
  3. Faith is expressed in action, compassion and sharing.
  4. All people are welcome through God’s grace.
  5. Jesus forgives, heals, and sets free.
  6. We trust in God and are open to the Holy Spirit.

Pray, and study, and discuss!

 

In Christ,

Pastor Lynne Hutchison


Previous Pastor's Page
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
July 2021
June 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
December 2001
June 0217