As you sent me Into the World, I also have sent them Into the World. John 17:18
 

 

        
         Transforming Congregations Network:
         The Mission Revitalization Process

 

WHAT IS TRANSFORMING CONGREGATIONS NETWORK (TCN)?

Mission Statement:

Turning Inwardly Focused Congregations Outward

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod World Missions, through its National Missions Staff has developed a process designed to assist local congregations in revitalizing their sense of mission. Based on research among effective mission movements world wide, and pilot projects field testing materials over a number of years, the Mission Revitalization Process includes three major areas of activity and a number of ancillary resources.

Exciting News!!! 

The Florida-Georgia District will be the site of the next Consultants Training Event.  It will be held in Orlando on September 10-14, 2008.   For further information to be directed to the Transforming Congregations website.  You can get an informational brochure and register for the Training Event there.

Florida-Georgia District Congregations Involved in TCN!

So far 5 congregations have committed to the TCN program.  They are:

Hope Lutheran Church - Orlando, FL

Our Savior Lutheran Church - Orlando, FL

Lutheran Church of Providence - Deltona, FL

Redeemer Lutheran Church - Melbourne, FL

Trinity Lutheran Church - Orlando, FL

Keep these churches in your prayers and keep checking back to see more congregations added to this list.

Rev. Ron Biel is serving as lead Coordinator for the new program.  Ron graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1969 and accepted a call to serve as an evangelistic missionary of the LCMS Mission Board to the Philippines, where he lived from 1969 to 1978.  He also received his Master of Sacred Theology degree from Iliff School of Theology in Adult Christian Education.  Since returning to the US, he has served as pastor for eleven years at Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn, Alabama and as the Lutheran campus pastor at Auburn University.  From there, he became pastor of Grace
Lutheran in Mobile, Alabama.  For the past twelve years, he was the senior pastor of Marco Lutheran Church, Marco Island, Florida, and enjoyed growth in the mission and ministry there.  Over the years, he has served in various capacities for the church at large -- foreign mission endeavors, Circuit Outreach Counselor, twice as circuit counselor, three times as LCMS Convention delegate, district youth and stewardship boards, Kiwanis President, and as officer of local clergy associations.

Rev. Milan Weerts is assisting Pastor Biel with the facilitation of TCN as it advances from the pilot stage into more widespread learning communities.  Milan graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree from the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri in 1961. He was awarded the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May 1990.  Milan served over 27 years in several parishes in the Florida-Georgia District in his ministry. He then served as Administrative Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Janesville, Wisconsin from October 1988 till February 1999.  In February 1999 he accepted the Call to serve as Executive Director for Woodland’s Lutheran Camp & Retreat Center, Montverde, Florida. He served there until retiring in September 2004. Since then he has served as Interim Senior Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church & School, Winter Haven, FL; Trinity Lutheran Church & School, Jefferson City, MO and Faith Lutheran Church & School, Eustis, FL.  Milan has been active in the Florida–Georgia District serving on a wide variety of committees and boards to further our ministry here.