Developing an Ecumenical Community Bible Study
Longville, Minnesota, has a winter population of 200 that swells to 2000 in the summer. Its claim to fame is an annual "Turtle Race."
Pam Kruger and her husband recently retired in Longville, having moved from a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul. She had long been familiar with Crossways International's materials: "I had used things I had learned in Crossways for every study I have ever led, ever since my first class in the early '80s. I have always taken every opportunity to express my joy and delight in the truths I have learned in Crossways."
Once settled into Longville, Pam asked herself, "What possible plan could God have for us in Longville?" God soon gave her direction.
She set up an ecumenical community Bible study, working with the four local churches: Salem Lutheran, St. Edward's Catholic, Longville Community and Longville Bible Chapel. "Each pastor agreed that I could leave a poster and brochures in their churches." recalls Kruger. "Crossways was mentioned in at least six church newsletters and in Sunday bulletins. Then I asked permission from each pastor to give a short presentation during their Sunday worship times. I put an ad in the paper saying ' Crossways is coming.'"
Kruger looked for a neutral space in which to hold the study, and got the courage to ask the Longville Family Center. "When I called, they were so excited and wanted me to notify the churches in nearby towns.
"I put posters in each of the churches, and little notices in each of the towns," Kruger says. People began to recognize her. "You're the Crossways lady," they would say.
"To make a long story short, I have now begun a Crossways class. There are 24 people involved — from six churches. Each and every class member is SO excited and anxious to get to know the 'Living God' behind the 'Living Word' that they are already wondering what comes after Crossways! "
"I tell you, it is not dry. We're going to be walking in the dirt in the Holy Land; we're going to be touching and tasting and smelling."
| IDEAS IN SNIPPETS Ministering to the unchurched Restoration Lutheran Church, a mission congregation in Kendallville, Indiana, does not accept transfers. It accepts into membership only those who are unchurched. The Divine Drama® is used for new-member classes. Restoration has received 60 people into membership. Home schooling Crossways International recently received a call from a mother who uses The Divine Drama® to home school her son during his middle school years. She now wants to use the more comprehensive Crossways course during his high school years. Cross-cultural ministry Father Larry Robertson (Anglican) of Inuvik in the Northwest Territories serves a parish that has Native and Anglo-Saxon members. His parish is tri-lingual. He finds the cross-cultural nature of Crossways International's resources aid him in his mission. He is using The Divine Drama® and The Bible's Big Story: Our Story. |
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