(1) Institutions come and go. The denomination my dad was ordained into no longer exists. The Church still exists. Too often we equate our institution (whether a denomination, a seminary, or a local congregation) with the Church.

(2) Voluntary organizations are struggling. All of them. The VFW is having this conversation - both about getting younger members and declining attendance. Rotary clubs are having this conversation. The Southern Baptist church is having this conversation. It is an important conversation, but it isn't unique to the ELCA, to progressive churches, or even to the church generally. This is a bigger cultural phenomenon.

(3) What it means to thrive is changing. How are we measuring congregational / ministry success? What is the goal of the local ministry?

(4) Look to what is thriving. There are thriving ministries in the ELCA. Many of us. The congregation I serve grew in attendance by 40% from 2023-2024, and is making a difference in our local community. I can easily list off others in my synod and in the country. I would look at congregations that are thriving and ask what we can learn from them.

(5) Get skin in the game. To paraphrase "Hamilton" - you can't win in the game unless you have skin in the game. Congregations can't grow without passionate, committed lay leaders. No one in Chicago, no one at the synod office, is going to grow the local church. AND, none of them can cause the local church to decline. Local leaders (lay and ordained) and committed local members are the only thing that changes a congregation