WHAT’S THE STRUGGLE?
- Congregational Change: Size, age of attendees, more funerals than baptisms.
- Divisive Politics: Are we purple now, or are we just red and blue dots floating near one another unable to have a civil conversation?
- Immigration: Rural and urban places have been impacted by the ICE crackdown in Minnesota. Neighbors have been mistreated and our moral injury is in question.
- Overextended Pastors: Seminary didn’t train us for this culture or this moment in history. We are the leaders the world needs right now.
WE CAN HELP!
But first, HOW WE GOT HERE...
Coaching ministry was launched in 2021. Our goal was and is to integrate coaching into the work of the synod to support rostered leaders. In 2022, we developed a leadership team and trained our own people to be coaches in our synod.
In 2023 the SWMN Synod Coaching Leadership Team (SCLT) identified our purpose and impact centered upon empowering our leaders through adaptive change. In the Fall of 2023 we offered free coaching sessions at the Fall Theological Conference. 27 Rostered Leaders sign up.
In 2024 our coaching ministry was fully utilized by individuals and congregational teams. In 2025 engagement slowed without financial support for sessions. We published a series of articles in the synod e-news and made coaching more visible on the synod website.
In 2026 the coaching team has an ongoing challenge. The Rostered Leaders of our synod have given us positive feedback about their coaching experience. And yet, it seems challenging to take up the tool on an ongoing basis. One barrier is that receiving coaching from colleagues in the synod is not appealing to everyone. Therefore, we are in the process of trying to develop the relationships across synods for coach swaps.
We have learned that the number one factor to making coaching a utilized ministry in a synod is to build it into the systems of the synod: transition support for congregations and Rostered Leaders, first call support, programs like Faithful Innovation that assist congregations in redefining their mission and focus for the 21st century church, and more. If you have additional ideas for programs like these that could be helpful to your congregation, please reach out.
NEW OFFERINGS
The SWMN Coaching Ministry is Now Offering NEW WORKSHOPS and CLASSES to give you tools to be the best pastor you can be.
- Finding Calm in the Storm: Stress, Trauma & the Congregation Workshop - $20 (Dates Coming Soon!) A second workshop: Spiritual First Responders: Caring for Your Neighborhood in Crisis - coming soon!
- One on One Coaching with Synod Coaches
-
-
- $50/session
- We are working on Synod swaps where we can offer coaches across regions of the ELCA that still understand the culture of the Synod in which the ones being coached serve.
-
- Group Coaching Sessions for your ministry team.
-
- You don’t have to do this alone. Bring in an outside neutral voice who can help facilitate the new and challenging conversations.
Coaching is…an intentional, relational process that invites people to focus their direction, strengthen their responses, and thrive through ongoing change and challenge.
SWMN Coaching’s Purpose is to “Empower church leaders and congregations to imagine and move more deeply into God’s future.”
We hope to impact the synod by… supporting healthy and mission-focused congregations by creating a culture where active questions and deep listening are normal.
Trained Coaches are available to assist leaders and congregations navigating today.
CONTACT
Pr. Kirsten Nelson Roenfeldt, SW MN Synod Coaching Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 320-200-9295