The Lilly Endowment, Inc., has awarded the synod $1.070.392 to establish a program called “Love Revolution: Love God and Love Neighbor.” This new initiative will help congregations evolve from an institutional church built on programs and resources into a missional church built on relationships and service. This funding is earmarked to launch this new program,...
Category: Vitality
December 6, 2023
$1M Grant to Launch ‘Love Revolution’ in Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
The Lilly Endowment, Inc., has awarded the synod $1.070.392 to establish a program called “Love Revolution: Love God and Love Neighbor.” This new initiative will help congregations evolve from an institutional church built on programs and resources into a missional church built on relationships and service. This funding is earmarked to launch this new program,...
March 15, 2023
Cultivating Resiliency in a Tiring Time
By the Rev. Bryan Penman Co-Director for Evangelical Mission Happy Lent fellow Disciples!! As the church enters this time of preparation for the Pascal feast, I am mindful of how many of you have expressed just how weary we are right now. Like, down to the bone, tired and weary. And as we journey into...
January 18, 2023
New Congregational Vitality Survey
Is your congregation ready to take a step in the vitality direction but not sure where to start? Well here is the place to start. A new tool has come out from the ELCA called the Congregational Vitality Survey! This FREE Resource is available to all congregation and is simple to implement across congregations of...
January 18, 2023
How to Talk to Strangers and Why It’s Good for You
By Rev. Bryan Penman Co-Director for Evangelical Mission Last month a few of the Synod staff were out for a visit to a potential location for Synod Assembly. As we made our way down the corridors of the hotel, I suddenly heard the voice of Bishop Davenport, “Good morning, how are you all doing?” As...
December 8, 2022
Is Your Church Ready for Christmas Eve?
Ask any of my previous interns, I am extreme nut when it comes to getting things ready for Christmas Eve. But for me, it’s the excitement of drawing so many people to hear the Good News that is at the heart of our faith – that God chose to dwell with us. The power of...
September 13, 2022
Free Congregational Vitality Trainings
Is your congregation ready to take the next step (even a small step!!) to revitalize or renew? Our Synod is participating in a series of Vitality Trainings here this fall with folks from across the ELCA. This training is great for pastor and a team of folks to take together to bring clarity about your...
February 28, 2022
Pastors Suah-Dennis, Penman Appointed Co-Directors of Evangelical Mission
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Moses Suah-Dennis and the Rev. Bryan Penman as co-directors of evangelical mission. Dr. Suah-Dennis is pastor of Faith-Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Lansdown. Rev. Penman is pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Conshohoken. They will continue to serve their congregations...
February 7, 2022
The Building Blocks of Congregational Renewal
“This interview is reprinted by permission from Leading Ideas, a free e-newsletter from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary and available at churchleadership.com.” What does it take to turn a congregation around? Lewis Center Director Doug Powe interviews Ed Brandt, a long-serving pastor who recently retired as chief of chaplains for...
