"...to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..." -- Ephesians 4:12
Activated by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we equip the saints and the congregations for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
"...to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..." -- Ephesians 4:12
We can do more together than we can do alone!
One of our Synod's key functions is to connect congregations and their leaders with resources and opportunities that can sharpen their skills, deepen their faith and enhance their ministries.
This resource page is your home base for information about learning opportunity, resource materials and other services and publications to strengthen your congregational ministry. This page replaces the hard-copy mailing that was discontinued in March 2010. Electronic distribution furthers our efforts to be environmentally friendly and better steward our limited resources.
Our most recent resource links are at right. Click "View all related articles" to search farther back in our archive.
Below are permanent links to frequently accessed resources.
The Stewardship newsletter that was part of the physical mailing may not be distributed electronically. Issues will be mailed with the statements sent periodically to congregational treasurers.
Discovering your church’s ministry opportunities has never been easier. MissionInsite provides instant access to community information for your church via The MI System. You’ll get desktop, web-based access to demographic data for a variety of geographic levels. Click here to learn more.
The Fisher's Net is an online learning and collaboration platform that your congregation can use to organize councils and workgroups and run online courses. For more information at the Synod Office.
Ideas and insights for active congregations...download for use within SEPA congregations.
Frequently used resources
There are several ways to get SEPA news and resources right in your email box.
Sign up here for SEPANews, our award-winning e-newsletter.
While you are there, sign up for occasional special interest email lists that are available.
Really Simple Syndication feeds "push" content to you via an RSS aggregator site (such as Google Reader or Bloglines) or your web browser.
Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!POSTPONED - Due to inclement weather, this workshop has been rescheduled for January 28 (so you still have time to register!) Are you beset by the storms of conflict and change? The Upper Bucks Conference invites you to learn about “Weathering the System” in a one-day workshop on Saturday, January 28 (rescheduled date) at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Souderton. Presentations will help you manage stress and learn skills to keep your footing when the storms are raging, find growth in conflict, understand your personality type and communicate more effectively, all in the context of Christian community. Keynote speaker is Sylvia Havlish, owner and founder of Inside Out Counseling and Seminars in Alburtis, PA.
Lutheran Disaster Response volunteers are helping families and individuals recover from natural disasters both near and far. Teams from Advent Lutheran Church, Harleysville; St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sumneytown; St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Pennsburg and Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale have scheduled 2012 work team/mission team trips to Bloomsburg, PA, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Joplin, MO. There are openings for adults 18 and over if people from your congregation would like to participate in one of these trips. The dates and locations are: January 8 to 13 to Bloomsburg, PA // February 11 to 18 to the MS Gulf Coast // March 10 to 17 to the MS Gulf Coast // April 14 to 21 to Joplin, MO
Our monthly roundup of congregation resources includes invitations to Bishop Burkat's fall conference gatherings, info on the 2011 Christmas Ingathering, two issues of the Parish Paper, an education event on the ELCA Malaria Campaign, and more.
New and experience rostered leaders are invited to a seminar with Dr. Stephen Treat, "Improving Your Leadership Skills," on Thursday, Oct. 27 at LTSP. This seminar will further develop the leadership skills of both new and experienced Rostered Leaders. Practical guidance will be provided regarding communication, conflict and change, understanding the difference between power and authority and general personal conduct
Through our Synod’s subscription to The Parish Paper you have permission to download more than three dozen “Free Resources”—each of which provides practical, how-to-do-it methods that assist committees and staff members in accomplishing particular congregational ministries, such as financial stewardship, worship, attracting new worship attendees, church school, etc.
2012 Synod Assembly registration materials available for download. Early bird registration deadline is Wednesday, March 14.
Currently the synod office is closed to the public for repair of water damage after a fire in the building. Staff members are working in various locations and will check messages periodically. Thank you for your patience.