One of the biggest differences between the ELCA and the churches in Iceland and Norway is the model of how the church functions in society.
In both Iceland and Norway, they use the Parish model of ministry. In the ELCA, we use the Congregation model of ministry. These two models differ in multiple ways, but it is important to understand the basic difference between the two.
In the Parish model, the pastor of a congregation serves a geographic location and all people inside that location, no matter the affiliation with the church.
In the Congregation model, the pastor serves the members of the congregation. These members can come from any geographic location, but are only served based on their membership.
This distinction is one of the most prominent I noticed during the duration of the J-Term. One of the challenges that the ELCA faces is that we need to serve more than just our members. If you do not serve those outside of the congregation, you are a closed system that does not respond to the community and context in which you live. To break the closed system and force it into an open system, one must understand the context that impacts the congregation and how the congregation impacts the community around itself.
In Iceland and Norway, the context is different than in the US. Though the context is different we can learn some concepts from our Scandinavian neighbors.
1. Your service to the parish doesn't end at your church's doorstep. This means that you have to go out into the community to be effective.
2. Dialogue is key. To ensure that you are serving all within your geographic location, you need both interfaith and intrafaith dialogues. Without both of these types of dialogues, you cannot fully help those within your parish.
3. Be open minded and accepting. You will encounter resistance inside and outside your parish. Throughout this resistance, you need to take feedback well and accept that there are those you will serve that will not make your life any easier.
1. Your service to the parish doesn't end at your church's doorstep. This means that you have to go out into the community to be effective.
2. Dialogue is key. To ensure that you are serving all within your geographic location, you need both interfaith and intrafaith dialogues. Without both of these types of dialogues, you cannot fully help those within your parish.
3. Be open minded and accepting. You will encounter resistance inside and outside your parish. Throughout this resistance, you need to take feedback well and accept that there are those you will serve that will not make your life any easier.
Though both Iceland and Norway have the benefit of being state religions, the ELCA can still learn the effect of cooperation within your denomination. An example of this is to be in constant dialogue with the other ELCA congregations in your area and do not create a hostile environment between congregations.
O God,
We acknowledge that we often fall short of serving others. Help up to follow Christ's example and help all others and not just those inside the church walls.
Amen.
We acknowledge that we often fall short of serving others. Help up to follow Christ's example and help all others and not just those inside the church walls.
Amen.
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