Over 30 pastors and leaders from 10 congregations gathered at First Lutheran in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, January 23^rd for the third conference Together in Mission workshop. They were joined by Pastor Paul Lutze from the Florida-Bahamas Synod, Pastor John Manrodt of the Samaritan Center in Miami, and facilitator/coach Dave Raymond from Minneapolis.

Pastor Lutze talked about the supportive role of the synod in this process. The synod is encouraging and helping but not calling the shots.

The agenda included educational presentations on the culture of thriving congregations, communications, and leading your congregation through change. After lunch Pastor Lutze led a Bible study on Ephesians 4.

We heard reports on “getting acquainted” meetings by two clusters of congregations, and learned that two other congregations are in the process of forming a significant partnership already.

We decided to hold shorter meetings on a cluster level when Dave Raymond is in Broward County in February instead of another workshop.