History of SPARK

A Collaboration of Lutheran Churches in Saint Louis Park

In early 2006, representatives of the six ELCA Lutheran congregations in St. Louis Park began meeting to assess potential opportunities for collaboration in ministry. Individually and as a group, the congregations had come to realize the following:

  1.  None of the demographics of the individual congregations reflect the demographics of the community.
  2.  None of the congregations are actively growing.
  3.  All six congregations have similar worship styles, schedules and ministries
  4. Two of the six congregations are in interim ministry.
  5. Collectively, the six congregations have an abundance of resources.

In early discussions, there was general agreement that we accomplish more together than by ourselves, particularly with respect to those in our community we do not currently reach. It was also recognized that honoring the unique identities of each congregation is a priority.

 

LUTHERANS REACHING OUT IN THE PARK

During August of 2006, representatives from all six congregations met to propose models for collaboration. As part of that process, a sample survey of each congregations’ members was conducted to assess the receptivity to collaboration.  The results of that survey indicated significant interest in collaborative ministry in the areas of music and youth (focusing on community service across all six congregations) without replacing or superseding individual congregational ministries in these areas. As a result, all six churches are developing the music and youth collaborative ministries under the name Lutherans Reaching Out in the Park. Survey results however showed great variation in readiness for collaboration in other areas of ministry.

 

 A SECOND PROPOSAL EMERGES

At the same time as the survey, First Lutheran and Reformation (the congregations in interim ministry) were considering and moving forward with call processes. In the context of the collaborative momentum, a proposal emerged to create a new model for pastoral ministry among interested churches — a proposal that would alter the traditional calls of First Lutheran and Reformation. Since the August proposal, Westwood has also received notice of the retirement of the Pastor for Older Adult Ministry. In meetings facilitated by synod staff and supported by current pastoral staff, the four churches agreed to the following goals:

  • Design and implement creative ministry that supports and expands the current capabilities of individual congregations.
  • Design and implement ministry that embraces the unique St. Louis Park community and adjacent communities
  • Reach those members of our community that do not currently participate in churches These goals are intended to reach beyond the status quo.

 

VALUES FOR MOVING FORWARD

As ideas began to take shape, the representatives felt it critical to agree on shared values for their collaboration. The values that emerged are:

  • Evangelical ministry: We are called to be creative, expansive and nurturing in order to engage others effectively.
  • Diversity: We are committed to a diversity of worship formats, of worshipping community sizes, of worship sites, of generations, of cultures and races etc.
  • Evolutionary: We are constantly growing, changing and refining this process of engaging in ministry; that we are never satisfied with what is; that we anticipate that both dramatic changes and long slow developments will characterize our work together.
  • Risk-taking: We trust God’s spirit to lead us into and through processes and challenges we cannot control.
  • Relational: Our work will be led by our relationship with God, each other, and our neighbors throughout the St. Louis Park community, and in the larger Church and world.
  • Contextual: We will begin to look like and to reflect the community of St. Louis Park.
  • Courageous in Faith: We know that God’s hand is leading us and God’s love is supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord,

 

 WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TODAY?

The status quo is no longer working. Churches like ours, all over the country, are on a plateau or declining. Doing the same things, or even doing the same things better will not effectively improve our witness to Jesus. God is calling us to something new!
“Churches that understand the realities of the future are shifting the target of ministry efforts from church activity to community transformation

 

An Update…

On May 31, 2009, Ascension Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church began worshiping together at 5801 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN.  In August 2009, both churches voted to merge and create a new church, Spirit of Christ Community Lutheran Church dedicated to serving the St. Louis Park community.  This new church will focus on OUTREACH in the community and partnering with other non-profits in the community.