E-Connect

What is E-Connect?

Ecumenical Connect is:

a congregational transformation ministry process which involves both spiritual and structural transformation.
connecting with Jesus, one another, and the world by lining up the congregation’s purpose, identity, and mission with God’s vision and plan.
an outgrowth of the Connect process developed by the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
an ecumenical ministry in Indiana and Kentucky, comprising the ELCA, The Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the United Church of Christ
made possible by a generous grant from the Lilly Foundation.

Transforming your congregation by linking the gifts that God has given you with God’s vision for the world.
Celebrating and using what you have, rather than lamenting about and focusing on what you don’t have.
Finding energy, purpose, and direction through God’s work, prayer, conversation, and faith practices.
Navigating change calmly, confidently, and effectively.

Grounded in Bible study, prayer, discussion, and action reflection, congregations will engage in a transformational ministry process to live out the Gospel of God’s vision for the world.
Each congregation will have a mentor who walks with them during the process, actively listening and asking appropriate questions to keep the process on track.
A congregational E-Connect team is named and blessed. This team will consist of the pastoral leader and four lay leaders whose commitments and caring for the congregation are well demonstrated.

At the very heart, the E-Connect process is centered in the belief that God has provided everything that a congregation needs to carry out the ministry God intends for it.
Through the work of God’s Spirit, congregational members will become energized about the Good News of Jesus Christ and passionate about sharing and living the Gospel.
Teams learn the basic principles of congregational health and renewal and engage in a missional plan for moving toward God’s promised future.

Connecting: Connect with Jesus, one another, and the world.
Growing spiritually: Deepen faith, strengthen commitment, and rediscover purpose.
Telling your story: Discover how God’s story and your story reshape community.
Discovering gifts and assets: As congregations discover and cherish their God-given gifts, they use them to serve neighbor and follow Jesus.

Leading through change: Change is hard, but essential for the church to grow. Learn how to lead through change.

Action planning: Teams learn the basic principles of congregational transformation and develop a mission action plan accordingly.
Building team: Teams develop into well-formed and effective equippers and encouragers who know where to find support for the mission action plans they live out.

A judicatory person shares a PrE-Connect/E-Connect presentation with the congregation’s elected leaders and pastoral leader.
After discernment, elected leaders and pastoral leader make a recommendation to the congregation to participate in PrE-Connect and/or E-Connect.
The congregation affirms participation in PrE-Connect and/or E-Connect.
The congregation signs a Transformational Ministry Covenant.
The elected leaders designate a PrE-Connect and/or E-Connect team which includes four-seven lay people and the pastoral leader.
Team members’ names with email addresses and the Covenant to Carol Webb, Administrative Assistant for E-Connect.

Four training events (Link 1, 2, 3, and 4) are held every six months.
Four members of the E-Connect team, the pastoral leader, and the mentor attend each event.
Following each Link, developmental activities will be completed by the congregation and team.
In-between Link 2 and Link 3, the elected leaders and the team will engage in a workshop to develop purpose and guiding principles.
The pastoral leader engages monthly with a coach.

Looking Back, Looking Forward: In this session, scheduled six months after Link Four, the congregation looks back at their journey and makes plans for continuing the momentum, energy, and transformation into the future.
Comprehensive Ministry Review: 12-18 months after completion of E-Connect, a trained review team spends a weekend with the congregation. Coming into the context with objective eyes, the team identifies affirmations and recommendations that will equip the congregation to continue transformation into the future.

Diocesan Liaison
The Rev. Canon Terri Bays, Ph.D.

Watch this video to learn more about Ecumenical-Connect (E-Connect).

Bishop Doug introduces a new initiative made possible by a Lilly Thriving Congregations grant.