The Healthy Congregations^© program is a partnership between Lutheran Family Services of Virginia (LFSV) and the Virginia Synod, ELCA. The program trains congregational leaders in a systems approach to better understand and manage change, tension, and conflict within their congregations.

Healthy Congregations consists of a series of workshops designed to assist congregations and their leaders maintain and improve the health of congregations. The Bridgebuilders component of the program is available to congregations facing stress and tension in the management of change, conflict, and transition. The Healthy Congregations program will provide training and skills to affect one of the most significant needs in congregational life.

The five-year project is designed to (1) enhance the capacity of all congregations in the synod in their ability to manage change, reduce conflict, and plan constructively for their future; (2) relieve pressure on the Office of the Bishop to intervene in congregations experiencing tension, thus enabling the Bishop and his staff to provide better oversight to the mission of the church rather than manage congregational disputes and differences; (3) reduce the incidence of clergy relocations because of congregational crises; and (4) expand congregational participation in strategic planning.

"In this time of tremendous change and national tragedy, this program offers timely resources so that congregations are better prepared to be oases of health in a world gone crazy," shares program coordinator, The Rev. J. Luther Mauney.

Healthy Congregations is intended for groups of up to 30 leaders invited by the congregation's council, pastor(s) and staff. The ultimate goal of the total program is to make key leaders in the congregation the experts on maintaining and improving congregational health. Rather than receiving another new program, leaders are equipped with perspectives and tools that will enable them to better attend to what is already going on in their congregations.

Through the use of videotapes, case studies, workbooks, and discussion, participants will learn in a highly interactive way.

Completed focus groups with 20 pastors in three geographical areas of the Synod – feedback extremely positive.
Have had 4 of our people trained to train HC facilitators.  Will begin offering this training in the Fall.
Have completed a new promotional Introduction to Healthy Congregations videotape.  This will be distributed to all parishes in the Virginia Synod at the June Assembly meeting.
31 workshops have been scheduled for the first 6 months of this year.
85 congregations have now participated in at least one workshop.
A yearlong pilot leadership-training group for pastors will be starting in June for 6 pastors.
The conference-wide workshops held February – March were quite successful.  35 congregations participated. 
• We have been recognized nationally by Pete Steinke, the director of the Healthy congregations program, as one of the three leading synods who have integrated the Healthy Congregations materials into the life of their Synod.

For more information contact Pastor Luther Mauney at (540) 297-7231 or lfsmauney@aol.com

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