Q9. How are we sharing our resources and utilizing partnering relationships to build the kingdom beyond the walls of Calvary?

Faithfulness is bearing as much fruit as possible given our talents, resources, opportunities and potential. By partnering we are able to help others lead people we may never know into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

We offer expertise and hospitality for congregations and organizations. Our Blessings Ministry supports other churches that are eager to implement some of the innovative and creative ministries offered at Calvary. We develop training and support materials for the purpose of sharing and expanding their ministry growth. Alpha and others use our facilities for training leaders for churches of all denominations. We open our doors and share our expertise for regional conferences such as Child in Our Hands and Minnesota Christian Ministries. We host the 3-day Sounds Like Love music festival and provide housing, hospitality, and support for 650 high school students.

We partner with the Minneapolis Synod of the ELCA. We enjoy a long history of leadership, volunteer and financial support of our synod. We join with them to provide programs and resources, equip leaders, and strengthen the ministries of our metropolitan congregations. We have partnered with the ELCA as a mission founder to start Alleluia Lutheran Church in St. Michael and Maple Grove Lutheran Church in Anoka. We have provided choirs, worship teams, neighborhood introductions and continue to provide financing to support their growth.

We partner with urban congregations. Many urban churches are suffering with declining membership and changing neighborhoods. Calvary is known for its outreach to Lutheran churches committed to neighborhood based ministry, especially in north Minneapolis. We provide funds for outreach and ministry leadership development for Luther Memorial Church, North Minneapolis Lutheran Parish, Salem Lutheran, and the St. Paul ELC School of Urban Ministry.

Redeemer Lutheran Church is our special urban partner. We have provided financing and support for the staff and outreach programs at their Church. Calvary members have worked alongside them on the building, on neighborhood events, and on breakfast and after school programs for neighborhood children. We have teamed up with other congregations to develop the Redeemer Center for Life which includes businesses and job training, housing and other community services.

We enthusiastically support ethnic-specific ministries. We have shared meals, worship and special events at El Milagro and provided volunteers and financial support for the Agora Multi-cultural Mission Center. We continue to provide financial support for outreach at the Lao Lutheran Church and the Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Church.

We partner with other Lutheran churches to support youth and families. We join in ministry to support camping opportunities through Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp. Congregations throughout the area enjoy the experience of Christian living, inspiration and appreciation of God's creation through this ministry. Calvary has provided financial support for buildings and grounds.

We partner with colleges and seminaries. We support programs that connect the college campuses and the church. College choirs and musicians share their talents during worship and concerts. We provide financial support for specific college programs. We also provide hospitality and support international students living here who want to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

We provide ministry experience for seminarians seeking contextual education and internships. Financial support is given to qualified Calvary members who are attending seminary.

We partner to support and advance global missions. Our members have brought their passions for global opportunities to Calvary and our congregation has responded abundantly. We travel out on mission and service trips to share friendship and faith and partner with nationals in Bangladesh, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Slovakia and Tanzania. We have built health clinics, provided dental services, built wells and supplied dispensaries. We have built schools, playgrounds and taught English. Together we minister to the health, economic, educational and spiritual needs of people in many 3rd world countries.

We partner with Wycliff Bible translators to support a Calvary family as missionaries and health educators in New Guinea and with Global Missions of the ELCA to support a "Calvary adopted" family as seminary teachers in Madagascar.

We partner to provide local community services. We claim Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota as our social service agency and our members are engaged with them in a common mission of service to people in need. Our financial and volunteer support puts faith into action by helping youth, seniors, refugees and persons with disabilities.

We work with the ELCA to care for the hungry and small groups at Calvary volunteer for service projects through agencies that respond to crisis and emergencies that arise in our community. We have a history of financial generosity to support disaster relief evidenced by recent contributions to Advent Lutheran Church in Manhattan and Lutheran Social Service for Granite Falls.

Our members have contributed time and talent to work with our local community to provide affordable senior housing through Calvary Community Services. We partner with Habitat for Humanity to build houses and with Prism for the distribution of food and clothing. We join with our local communities to support the Plymouth Christian Youth Center.

Our members partner directly in ministry. Calvary members are empowered to discover their own ministries where they can invest their gifts, time and energy. Many individuals and small groups respond to the call for help by supporting organizations that help people in need. While these efforts are not acknowledged in our church records, they are indicative of the pulse and heart of our congregation.

 

Strategic Imperative #9: Expand our ability to share our resources and build partnering relationships to expand our ministries.

next, Strategic Assessment - Question 10 and Answer

Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley
7520 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley Minnesota 55427 [see map]
Telephone: 763.545.5659 | Fax: 763.545.6953

Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m.; 8:45 a.m.; 10:00 a.m.; 11:15 a.m.;
Thursday Worship: 6:30 p.m.

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