The Big Idea
Culture comes from the Latin colere which means to “to tend, guard; to till, cultivate”1
Culture has often turned into something that needs defended. Or that is fought over. But when we think of the original metaphor of “preparing the soil.” Culture becomes a lot clearer to identify. It is all the stuff that makes up the soil within which we grow our lives.
parable of the seed
hosea till the soil of your heart.
What kind of soil do we want our kids to be able to grow up in?
They will get plenty of the frenetic, psychedelic online displays and parades. The soil they produce is rocky and thin.
Congregation as a place to build deep rich soil.
Tend to think of individuals moving through programs and events.
Think about individuals as being planted in our congregation. How do we help tend to them so that they have the soil, water and light they need to grow into the people God has created them to be?
Event, Program, Group, Space
Experiences
Knowledge
Opportunities
What do I want them to Know?
small to large catechism to psalms
Bible stories
What skills do I want them to have?
literacy to read the bible with understanding
care and service
- Grammar and writing academy
- Speaking and presentation academy
- Critical thinking and research academy
- Biblical languages
- Latin and German other classical languages
- Spanish and other missional languages
- Music Academy
- Doctrinal
- Poetics
- Expressive
- Caring and Stephen Ministry
- Spiritual formation