From the Episcopal News Service: It may be the beginning of Advent, but many program planners in Episcopal congregations are already thinking ahead to Lent.
One resource is "Groundwork II: Digging Deeper for Change and Growth," a book of study guides and lesson plans for Lent 2006, which was posted November 29 on the church's website at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/groundwork. One printed copy of "Groundwork II" will be mailed to each congregation in December.
Based on the Year B readings for the five Sundays in Lent, the 2006 edition invites congregations to reflect on how they invite people into their midst and into the Episcopal Church.
Each chapter of "Groundwork II" begins by setting the theme of the Sunday's readings and then offers reflections from various voices on those readings. Activities based in three tracks round out each chapter. The tracks can either be used continuously or mixed and matched week by week as seems appropriate to the congregation and its context.
The tracks are:
Track I: Welcome and Incorporation - offering processes for engaging the mission of evangelism. This is primarily material from the first edition of "Groundwork" in 2005 slightly re-cast so it may be used by congregations that were not able to use last year's resources.
Track 2: Congregational Advertising - providing materials for the design and implementation of an advertising strategy for the congregation.
Track 3: Covenant and Commitment - taking a new approach to congregational mission and vitality focusing on the covenants and commitments that people of faith fulfill for effectiveness and faithfulness.
"Groundwork" hopes to assist individuals, congregations and their leaders in engaging Holy Scripture and the mission of God's Church. These activities till the ground of prayer, learning, reflection, and conversation so that people can learn together.
The book's goal is to encourage personal and congregational transformation. It asks congregational members and leaders to dig deeply into the soil of their mission so that they may do serious and joyful learning about the Gospel and their community of faith.
"It is a practical and theological resource for Lenten reflection and congregational development and transformation," said the Rev. James Lemler, director of mission for the Episcopal Church.
Considering congregational development as the basis for a Lenten series makes sense, Lemler said, because it is a natural time for gathering to learn and to pray.
"Lent is a time when, in the Episcopal Church, we take stock and go into a mode of reflection," he said.
While many people practice individual Lenten disciplines, such as giving something up or taking on some new activity, Lemler said it is essential for congregations to reflect together on their mission and evangelism efforts.
The "Groundwork" effort is part of a proactive strategy begun by General Convention in 2000 to strengthen local congregations and to counter membership declines experienced in recent years by all mainline denominations.
Last year's "Groundwork" book led the members of many congregations on the meaning of the Gospel among them and in terms of how they relate to the world around them, Lemler said.
"For some, it was the first time they had taken steps in intentional evangelism strategy," he said.
"Groundwork II" is offered in an atmosphere of "urgency and hope," he said. It encourages congregations to engage with Scripture at this "important moment" in the life of the Episcopal Church when invitation and evangelism are essential, Lemler said. And "Groundwork II" is rooted in "the hopeful reality" that "God is blessing us for mission" in this moment.
"Congregational stress, like the personal and professional varieties, can both help and harm. Too little stress often means a congregation is not adequately experimenting, taking risks, or exercising creativity about its potential for ministry. A congregation under too much stress is overwhelmed and irritable; over time it can become demoralized and unhealthy. The result in either case is diminished effectiveness in ministry. Clearly the key is keeping the creative pressure high enough to maintain the healthy stress needed for effective ministry, while managing the stress to prevent it from leading to despair and burnout. Consider these related ideas:"
to read more, see the Alban Institute article at: