Convention 2010Growing Healthier Congregations
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The 23rd annual convention of the Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010. It promises to be an enriching experience in learning and fellowship as Gustavus hosts pastors and delegates from the 546 ELCA congregations from the region and across the country that are currently members of our Association of Congregations.
Dr. Pat Taylor Ellison will be the featured speaker for this year’s convention. In her keynote address, “Building Agreement and Strategies for Spiritual Discernment in Community,” she will lead us through discussion and exercises for faith-based conversations and dealing with conflict. After taking time to dwell in Scripture, we will learn effective processes for communal listening, speaking and discernment in exercises that help to change focus and redirect energy in a faith-based community.
The morning’s keynote will tee up conversation for the afternoon when, in facilitated workshops, groups will practice these techniques as they wrestle with a key question. The process will teach us to share differences in a way that give us energy in pushing forward instead of dividing. Based on Scripture, our experience, and listening, we will face discernment questions of what the Spirit is calling us to do. The model focuses on ways of connecting and building on Christian community.
In a final closing session, Ellison will return to Scripture, then bring it all together, discussing the practical applications of this experience and using this process as a tool for congregations dealing with conflict.
The morning Chapel service will feature homilist Rev. Stanley Olson from the national office of the ELCA.
During this day, Association delegates will elect members to the Board of Trustees of the College and also the Board of Directors of the Association. The Covenant Award will be presented, recognizing an individual who has made distinctive contributions to strengthen the partnership between the College and congregations of the Church.