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How To Talk About Though Issues In The Church
Saturday, Feb. 8
Is it possible that what you know keeps you from knowing? The Pharisees were so certain of what they knew about God and His Law, they could not hear Jesus. What they knew kept them from knowing.
That difficulty still plagues us in the church when it comes to talking to each other about difficult issues. Often we are so certain what we know and what the scriptures say that we cannot hear someone who has a different point of view or learn a different perspective.
On Saturday, Feb. 8 from 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Findlay, Dr. Pat Taylor Ellison will help lay leaders of our congregations learn how to listen and talk to each other about difficult issues that face us in the church. Those issues may range from moving the Baptismal Font, to the place of the American Flag, to the color of the carpet in the sanctuary, to the frequency of Holy Communion, to the Gay/Lesbian issue. Dr. Ellison is a lay person from Church Innovations Institute. As a training exercise, we will use the Gay/Lesbian issue. The intent is not to change minds or to arrive at a decision. It is to help us talk with each other on topics about which we feel very strongly.
The process learned will be invaluable to congregations and their lives together under the Gospel. Cost for the day will be $6 for lunch per person. Congregations are asked to bring up to four or five leaders to this event. Pastors are welcome to come with their lay leaders
If you have not registered, please call the Synod Office toll free at (866) 967-3522 and talk with Pam Jacobs We do need your reservation to plan for the meal.
Pastor Ray Gottschling
Assistant to the Bishop
