Purpose Statement:
Ascension Lutheran Church – Brookings, SD
Purpose Statement: “Sharing God’s Word, Serving God’s People: Our purpose is sharing God’s Word and serving God’s people with passion, through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Guiding Principles: At Ascension we:
Purpose Statement: “Sharing God’s Word, Serving God’s People: Our purpose is sharing God’s Word and serving God’s people with passion, through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Guiding Principles: At Ascension we:
- Believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- Proclaim God’s love and forgiveness
- Gather together to grow in faith
- Reach out to others in Christian service
- Welcome everyone as a child of God
The Five Themes which support our guiding principles are:
1. Faith is formed by the Holy Spirit through personal, trusted relationships, often in our own homes.
2. The church is a living partnership between the ministry of the congregation and the ministry of the home.
3. Where Christ is present in faith, home is church, too.
4. Faith is caught more than taught.
5. If we want spiritual children and youth, we need to be spiritual adults and parents.
The Four Keys to faith formation are:
1. CARING CONVERSATION. Christian values and faith are passed on to the next generation through supportive conversation. Listening and responding to the daily concerns of our family members and friends make it easier to have meaningful conversations regarding the love of God and ways to express God's love to others. An example of a caring conversation is simply telling one another about one of the ways God blessed you today and one of the ways the evil one spoiled your plans.
2. DEVOTIONS. Adults need to learn the Christian message and the biblical story as their own story if they are to pass on their faith to their children and other adults. Our Christian faith shapes the whole of our lives and involves a lifetime of study, reflection, and prayer. Devotions can be as simple as saying a table prayer together, or a prayer before bedtime or before you leave the house. They can be done anywhere, even in the car. Instead of complaining about other drivers’ ability to drive, you could pray for safety!
3. RITUALS AND TRADITIONS. Families identify themselves and tell their family stories through daily routines, celebrations, and rituals. These are the things that make your family yours. They are what you always do when you’re together, either at meal time, or holidays. Whether it's an annual summer vacation, hanging Christmas ornaments, or an informal liturgy before bedtime, these activities speak volumes about what the family values, believes, and promotes, and how much a family values its faith.
4. SERVICE. Children, youth, and adults are most likely to be influenced by those who "walk the talk." There are many opportunities for service: some in the church, some in the larger community. Whatever type of service you choose, it is best done with family members, friends or other inter-generational groups.
1. Faith is formed by the Holy Spirit through personal, trusted relationships, often in our own homes.
2. The church is a living partnership between the ministry of the congregation and the ministry of the home.
3. Where Christ is present in faith, home is church, too.
4. Faith is caught more than taught.
5. If we want spiritual children and youth, we need to be spiritual adults and parents.
The Four Keys to faith formation are:
1. CARING CONVERSATION. Christian values and faith are passed on to the next generation through supportive conversation. Listening and responding to the daily concerns of our family members and friends make it easier to have meaningful conversations regarding the love of God and ways to express God's love to others. An example of a caring conversation is simply telling one another about one of the ways God blessed you today and one of the ways the evil one spoiled your plans.
2. DEVOTIONS. Adults need to learn the Christian message and the biblical story as their own story if they are to pass on their faith to their children and other adults. Our Christian faith shapes the whole of our lives and involves a lifetime of study, reflection, and prayer. Devotions can be as simple as saying a table prayer together, or a prayer before bedtime or before you leave the house. They can be done anywhere, even in the car. Instead of complaining about other drivers’ ability to drive, you could pray for safety!
3. RITUALS AND TRADITIONS. Families identify themselves and tell their family stories through daily routines, celebrations, and rituals. These are the things that make your family yours. They are what you always do when you’re together, either at meal time, or holidays. Whether it's an annual summer vacation, hanging Christmas ornaments, or an informal liturgy before bedtime, these activities speak volumes about what the family values, believes, and promotes, and how much a family values its faith.
4. SERVICE. Children, youth, and adults are most likely to be influenced by those who "walk the talk." There are many opportunities for service: some in the church, some in the larger community. Whatever type of service you choose, it is best done with family members, friends or other inter-generational groups.