Rev. Dr. D. Elizabeth Mauro, Dean Center for Congregational Leadership

Knesset, Israel

Challenges of the Church In General (although not for everyone): Declining attendance Aging populations Financial difficulties

The Religious Landscape is Shifting ,000 Mainline Protestant Churches in America, representing 19% of all churches Over 60% of Americans identified themselves as Protestant 8% did not identify with any religious tradition 72,000 Mainline Protestant Churches in America, representing 13% of all churches Just 50% of Americans identified themselves as Protestant 15% did not identify with any religious tradition

Religion and Age 95% of people 70 and older claim to be religious 84% of those under 30 claim to be religious Median age of Church goers = 52

At Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan

NACCC Oak Creek, WI Center for Congregational Leadership, Olivet Michigan Mother Ship Satellite

The Mission of the Center is Education Seminarians Clergy Church Leaders Laity

A New Partnership with Olivet College NACCC provides: My services as a part time faculty member Class development Acquaintance and familiarity of Olivet College among Congregationalists. College provides: Office space Use of facilities for educational gatherings Use of distance education delivery technology

Education is crucial to Church vitality Faith that is: vibrant, relevant, joyful, hopeful Freedom to love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength Fellowship that walks with and encourages each other on this journey of faith

Your Mission, should you choose to accept it… To be a church and an association that lives in a flexible, obedient, open and trusting way Ready to follow Christ where ever He may lead you To rediscover who you are as a gathered community Fully own your past and with God create your future.

Two Key Discernments Doing business together is not an enticing or compelling form of fellowship to many, especially younger people. If the church is to distinguish itself as a place of purpose and importance in this skeptical world, it must find new ways of being the church.

Churches and Associations that are revitalizing are recognizing the importance of education New York – New Jersey Association: Leadership Seminar Michigan Conference of Congregational Christian Churches: Seminar on Governance Oneonta Congregational Church: Congregational History and Polity

Center For Congregational Leadership Stewardship Seminar Facilitator for the Saugatuck Church as they explored the process of becoming a “Simple Church.” Seventh Congregational Symposium, “Leading from the Wilderness: Challenges and Opportunities in the Post Modern World Education for seminarians through CFTS Lay Ministry Training Program

Future Challenges In general, churches will get smaller Church buildings will become more diverse in function or cease to be necessary for many congregations Lay Leadership will take on greater importance and prominence Churches must embrace technology

We are people of the Resurrection; Though we die, yet shall we live!