Indiana: Outreach becoming main focus
Leaders from the Indiana District met in Fort Wayne in October to exchange their views about the state of Lutheran congregational health and missional focus. The leaders represented Indianapolis, Gary and Fort Wayne—where decline in worship attendance and urban decay are common concerns. Rev. Quentin Poulson gave an overview of the changes • in Black Ministry expected by the Synod. Black Ministry was moving to conduct its work with greater transparency and accountability, expected across the spectrum of services provided at the International Center in St. Louis. Its new focus would be far more missional.

Rev. Geoffrey Robinson, representing the Indiana District as mission executive, expressed a commitment to
partner with congregations that develop new ideas for reaching their surrounding communities with the Gospel. Rev. Robinson expressed the importance of authentic Christian impact through Lutheran doctrine in teaching and practice, and that the district was willing to issue mission grants to congregations in support of their local efforts. Missionary Elvis Netterville made a mission "jump start" proposal, using the youth outreach model for Christian Urban Ministries as a potential corrective.

Reactions to Netterville's idea are described as hopeful with a hint of uncertainty as the leaders face congregational apathy and dwindling resources to financing outreach. One leader after the meeting mentioned the reality of youths, having family problems being scattered outside city limits, needing to be picked up, yet the church had no van transportation.

The degree of interest in ambitious initiatives depended on the age of the leaders or congregation, its financial well-being and its level of community involvement. Generational differences played a role in differentiating perspectives too. Indiana District unit leader Darryl White acknowledges the diminished energy for implementing ambitious programs caused people to drop the ball. Still he viewed the meeting as a crucial step in the right direction, where people are talking about their own fears of change, coupled with a desire to see faith in action lead to people receiving Jesus as their Savior.

 October 14, 2010    Coach Willie Shears gave a great Thursday night Ministry Message on our need to pray for each other.This night we had a number of young men who were new to the program. Profanity is a common sin in our community; but it is not allowed in our gym. Coach had to go over our rules on profanity before he started his talk on "praying for each other". Please click on the link below and watch. Please contact me and let me know what you think about the message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQjtAZxjaO8

Baptisms--Monday, April 20, 2010, was the kind that day that puts all ministry heartache and frustrations into perspective. Monday; I baptize a young single mother, her three children, and her boy friend. Visit our "Stories" page for pictures and more information.

Coming Soon--Ministry stories from Christian Urban Ministries history that need to be regularly retold so that what God has shown us and how he has blessed us will not be forgotten.

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