We’re being studied!
LNPC has been selected to participate in a research study of “Vibrant Congregations” in the United States being conducted by Luther Seminary.
The study looks at six components of healthy, vibrant congregations to explore what works and how to help churches strengthen their life and ministry.
- They have indentified six critical dimensions that make up vibrant congregational life and culture: children, youth and family ministry, stewardship, Christian vocation, Biblical fluency, congregational mission and Biblical Worship and Preaching.
- They are doing this study in order to “come along side thriving congregations so as to better understand and promote the mix of practices, commitments, and culture that leads to vibrant, life-giving congregations.”
- Their goal is that they would “learn together how to a) promote such vibrancy in other faith communities, b) prepare leaders to nurture and guide vibrant congregations, and c) create cultures of support among congregation, seminaries, and church agencies.”
We are being studied for our practice of this final component, Biblical Worship and Preaching. Vibrant preaching and worship looks like:
God is “real” to people – their communal experience of God in worship leads them to talk about and act like God is living and active in their lives and the world
By joining with the other churches in this study, we hope to learn and grow in our own worship and preaching, so that together and individually, we can deepen our participation with God’s love and healing in the world.
The Study includes:
- An online survey of as many participants as possible(minimum of 20% of the congregation)
- Interviews with at least 12 participants (Ben Masters & Sue Hensel will be conducting these)
- Then all the churches will gather again and share their data, and share practices that can be used to strengthen worship and preaching in their congregations.
- There will be a season of trying out different practices in worship, then coming together again to reflect on what they are learning through the process.
- The study ends with a visit from faculty from Luther Seminary who are overseeing the project.
We have completed the interviews and online surveys.
We will keep you posted about the next steps!
