On Saturday, November 14 about 35 Broward-Bahamas Conference lay leaders and pastors gathered for a 4-hour workshop at First Lutheran in Fort Lauderdale. We were welcomed by First’s pastor, Travis Kern, and Pastor Paul Lutze from the synod led us in devotions and prayer. Part of the devotions was a Rob Bell video titled “Today.”

 Mission Director Jerry Wahl introduced the synod’s “Together in Mission” initiative and explained how collaborations between congregations can expand our reach and our resources. Next was a presentation by Dave Raymond of ChurchFuture on the various ways that congregations can work together. These options are also described in a web site, www.churchcollaboration.com.

We then shared data and information about the ELCA churches in the conference, and at lunch we had opportunities to network among congregations. After lunch Dave gave a brief overview of Broward County demographics and opportunities for effective Lutheran churches. Broward County has 1.7 million people. After decades of often-rapid growth, the county’s population has apparently peaked and is projected to decline slowly over the next several years. Even with this decline there are opportunities for Lutheran churches with groups like the 178,000 families with children and the 110,000 people who are widowed.  The Florida-Bahamas synod has a contract with MissionInsite  to provide excellent demographic information to congregations. A brief overview of Broward County is available on the Download page.

In the discussion of next steps the group agreed to invite ELCA congregations near the conference border into this effort. Pastor Ron Springer closed us in prayer.