Ministry Resources
Bible Study and Sermon Resources
ELCA Book of Faith web page "Open Scripture. Join the Conversation."
Pastor Len Liptacks's Narrative Lectionary
Rev. Len Liptack is a La Crosse Area Synod pastor who serves Faith Lutheran in Black Hammer, MN. He is the chair of the synod’s Book of Faith team. Contact him for information about how you or your congregation can increase Biblical literacy and fluency by email.
With ears to hear a resource from Rev. Sam Giere, PhD, who is rostered in our synod and serves on the faculty at Wartburg Theological Seminary (WTS). It is a resource for those who listen to preaching – orienting the ear toward the Christian sermon.
Lutheran Bible Ministries provides free, downloadable, lectionary-based Bible study guides for leaders and participants. Excellent for regular, solid Bible study groups and sermon preparation.
Enter the Bible is where you’ll find a wealth of resources to help you grow in your faith, add depth to your Bible studies and truly discover the people, places and events of the Bible. Think of Enter the Bible as your guide, a helpful reference tool to accompany you in your reading of the Bible.
Congregational Vitality Resources
Have you ever sat in a church board/council meeting wondering why more people aren’t coming to church or how you will raise enough funds to sustain important ministries? How often does that conversation spiral into frustration with much hand-wringing and few useful suggestions? For many congregations, this conversation happens often and goes nowhere. What if instead of talking about the symptoms, you began to identify the causes? The following resources are designed to help focus congregational leaders on what matters to mission: the congregation’s connections with God, each other and the world."
Holy Conversations
ELCA Mission Support
See the individual WWDT file for each congregation in the synod; figures from 2023
A year-round guide to stewardship in your congregation.
Faith Practices
www.elca.org/faithpractices This link directs you to several Faith Practices resources that might be useful for your ministry setting as you strive to create followers of Christ who are committed to growing in faith, love and obedience to God’s will. The “Five Gifts of Discipleship” resources highlight the current Faith Practices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and offer not only bible studies related to these faith practices, but also group activities corresponding to the various liturgical seasons. The resource, “Story Matters” is also posted and this resource provides ministry settings the opportunity to combine the Book of Faith Initiative, Discipleship Small Groups, and Mission Strategic Planning as they seek ways to create passion for bible study, discipleship and mission planning. For more information contact Rev. Brenda K. Smith at Brenda.Smith@elca.org. Thank you!
Global Church
Jesus sends us out beyond the walls of our homes and churches. Listed below are some of the ways you can reach beyond your local area.
Resources for Ending Ministries
Leaving a Legacy of Mission and Ministry (handbook prepared by the ELCA)
Paradigms for Mission Renewal (ELCA document)
For Everything a Season: A Look at Ending Ministries Faithfully - (PDF of assembly workshop slides by Rev. Libby Howe)
Holy Closure Booklet (this is produced by the Upstate NY Synod of the ELCA and some of the information in Appendix B may not apply for congregations in Wisconsin and Minnesota)
For more information contact Pr. Dione Stepanek, Dir. for Evangelical Mission/Asst. to the Bishop
Worship Resources
12-Month Narrative Lectionary by Pr. Len Liptack
"Do the Macedonia" Resolution from 2009 Synod Assembly
Generous Love. Generous Lives. Initiative Resolution from 2012 Synod Assembly
Sermon Helps for 10 sermons on Generous Love, Generous Lives Theme
Lectionary-Based Sermons available to congregations via video
From Synod "No Pastors Allowed" Events in 2011
A resource put together by Rev. Dr. Samuel Giere, Assoc. Prof. of Homiletics and Biblical Interpretation, Wartburg Theological Seminary for lay people who listen to preaching (including some particular guidance for call committees, internship committees, confirmation, etc.), as a way to help re-center the church’s listening on the gospel.
Wartburg Theological Seminary's first in a new video series - "Castle Conversations with WTS Faculty" - w/ Rev. Dr. Samuel Giere on "What Makes a Sermon Good." Rev. Giere (an assoc. professor of Homiletics & Biblical Interpretation) is also rostered in our synod.