CLW Comes Alive

More than 300 students and staff representing two Australian states, four Canadian provinces, and 30 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, came together in Lamoni, Iowa, July 27 to August 1 for the 2008 Congregational LIFE Workshop (CLW). The theme, “Reviving and Equipping Faithful Communities,” came alive during the week with opportunities to learn, fellowship, and worship together, with each experience pointing participants back to their congregations and to ministries within their communities.

Each morning, participants gathered in 24 small groups, called Living Room Groups, to start the day with prayer, singing, discussion, and study of the book The Phoenix Affirmations: A New Vision for the Future of Christianity by Eric Elnes. During the week, each small group became a “family unit” as they explored the topics of “Listening to God’s Word”; “Being Stewards of God’s Creation”; “Engaging People Authentically as Jesus Did”; “Walking Humbly with God”; and “Caring for Our Bodies through Prayer, Reflection, Worship, Recreation, and Work.” Connections made to Doctrine and Covenants 163 added special emphasis. Participants departed with a tool for small-group study. These Living Room Groups served as a highlight for many, and allowed them to appreciate the power of small-group ministry in their discipleship.

Erica Blevins-Nye share in the CLW experience.

Students selected two classes from 23 offerings designed to highlight current program emphases and areas of skills development important for ministers and leaders and for congregational life. Class selections upheld the three major aspects of the healthy/faithful congregation model of “Welcoming/Inviting Ministries,” “Gathering Ministries,” and “Sending/Serving Ministries.”

Two classes in the Ministerial Education and Discipleship Studies (MEADS) certificate program were offered. This 12-course program, co-sponsored by the Community of Christ Seminary and Temple School, is open to any student interested in ministerial development. The next MEADS classes will be held at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, February 3–6, 2009, and include: “Mission and Evangelism,” Karin Franklin Peter, instructor, and “Spiritual Formation,” Carolyn Brock, instructor. For more information or to enroll, contact Tammy Lindle at 1-800-825-2806, ext. 2383.

In addition to selecting from the class schedule, participants chose twice daily from a series of topics offered as Formation Experiences. These sessions allowed students to engage in specialized topics designed to enhance particular skills, refresh the spirit, inform and challenge the learner, practice spiritual disciplines, engage in mission, learn about ministry opportunities around the world, engage in a pastoral care service project to benefit incoming Graceland University students, and learn skills in creating a worship path experience.

Evening Celebrations included a World Café experience, where nearly 300 people seated around 30 round tables engaged in a creative conversation process designed to include everyone, allowing each to listen to the others and to express ideas and perspectives about a particular topic or question of interest. The compelling question considered by participants was, Who is worship for?

The CLW community gathered for worship each evening and focused on aspects of the intensely personal and powerfully community-changing scripture account of Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well, found in John 4:3–42. Worship planners and speakers lifted up compelling connections to this scripture for individual disciples serving through congregations and within communities. Focus questions included: Who are the thirsty among us? In what ways are our congregations “wells of living water” for us to share with the people in our communities? How can we “see” and include those whom society labels “invisible”? What artificial ways of “being and doing church” can we identify and replace with relevant, life-giving ministry? How can sharing my testimony of Jesus’ work in my life transform my community?

Dave Schaal contributes to small-group ministry.

One of the tremendous blessings of our community experience was lived out in worship. Talented musicians and singers came together each evening to create a rich musical experience that greatly enhanced our worship. Their commitment to quality music and care for the congregation reflected God’s blessing. Others shared as readers and dramatists and in prayer. Some offered technical assistance or shared in worship preparation. Each service provided a model of the blessing and richness of the gathered, sharing community.

Participants helped to develop an interactive, multimedia worship path that members could enjoy throughout the week. The path progressed through several stations designed to focus thoughts and open participants to God’s Spirit. Each station led to the community “well” at the heart of the experience. Participants helped to build the well that became a central focus. On the last day, everyone drew from its living water to bless the ministry in their congregations.

On July 30, CLW celebrated, along with the Church of England, William Wilberforce Day by watching the motion picture Amazing Grace: The Story of William Wilberforce. Through faith and perseverance, Wilberforce battled for 17 years to abolish the slave trade throughout the British Empire. This inspiring story showed how one person’s stand for justice changed the world. A free faith guide for congregations is available from www.amazinggracemovie.com/.

The CLW experience was greatly enhanced by several first-time attendees. The African American Ministry Council provided scholarships for five members to attend. In addition, seven scholarships were made available for young adult participants. Several others were provided partial scholarships from their home congregations or mission centers. Because of the generosity provided by these and other sources, many were able to participate and share in the blessings of community.

—Tammy Lindle reporting,
Leadership Development Specialist