Transforming Church

THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION - We reviewed the document drafted earlier by Pastor Ron Lee and affirmed its content. We also discussed our Purpose and revisited the formal name of the Initiative. We agree on:
• Our Purpose: Equipping disciple-making leaders for a missional church.
• Our Name: Transforming Leadership Initiative: A Continuous Learning Community

COLLABORTATION - We expressed deep gratitude to the leaders of the Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI) from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod for their generous support of our work in these early days. We have continued conversation about the ways the LCMS and ELCA are different – and that the TLI will be different that the PLI. We want voices from the 3 seminary clusters at the table. We want voices of many bishops. We want the voices of pastors from many different ministry contexts. We want the voices of lay leaders. We agreed to continue in the way Wyvetta Bullock described the project, “Partnered with the institutions of the church, but separately incorporated”. This Board is clear and united on these issues as we continue to move forward.

ELCA CONSULTATION PLANNED FOR OCTOBER 3 & 4 - We’re excited that Wyvetta Bullock and Presiding Bishop Hansen are convening a Consultation in October. Broadening the circle of participants and collaborating to move ahead are key themes for this meeting.

DESIGN TEAMS – We need at least four teams for the next phase of Design and Implementation. We drafted job descriptions and assigned at least two Board Members to each team to help things get started: Learning Journey Team, Operations Team, Resource Development Team, and Candidate Recruitment Team. We’ll look to broaden these teams at the consultation.

ROLE OF THE BOARD – We have begun as a Working Board and will transition over time into a policy board as paid staff begins to lead the work. We affirmed Gregg Burch as the Executive Team Leader and Dave Daubert as the Board Chair. We will continue to broaden the board to bring greater diversity. We need all Board members to bring leadership gifts, bring credibility in the church, bring credibility with donors, and bring visibility to the Program

BOARD COVENANT WAS ADOPTED - We are saints and sinners struggling to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. As we journey together, we covenant with each other:
1) We are intentionally open to the leading of the Holy Spirit;
2) We speak the truth in love and are open to the truth of others;
3) We seek reconciliation when conflict arises, applying the principles of Matthew 18;
4) We support the decisions of the Board wholeheartedly and will work for their success;
5) We are accountable to one another and will ask for help when we need it;
6) We walk humbly and are in a servant relationship with each other; and
7) We do everything with excellence.

CONCEPT PAPER – A concept paper was drafted and adopted and is available here. It includes many specific aspects of the program. We’re also developing a brochure that will overview the program and highlight:
• Leadership is Critical - As goes the leadership, so goes the church. (Franklin Clark Fry)
• 50 Leaders in a class will be assigned to Cohort Groups and attend 3 events per year for 3 years
• Churches can get measurably Healthier as Disciples are Engaged, Equipped, Mobilized, and Sent
• Pastors will sit at the feet of experienced leaders and be placed in accountable relationships
• Initiative will be cost effective for pastors and congregations and draw broad financial support from others.

The board left unified and committed to execute on our plans to create a broad collaboration, design and build the program over the next year, and start our first class in the fall of 2008. We seek your prayers, partnership and financial support. Contact Gregg Burch at atl@transformingchurch.com for further details.

To see and learn more about Transforming Leaders Initiative on its home website, click here.