Bridge Builders

Connecting People for Mission and Ministry.
 

Who we are

Clergy and laity who care about the church and understand the complexities and dynamics of congregational life.

• Creating bridges of faith, hope, trust, and confidence within congregations
• Promoting healthy functioning in order to fulfill a congregation’s ministry and mission
• Assisting congregations going through times of conflict and difficulty
• Encouraging congregations to discover their own solutions using the God-given gifts found within their communities
• Offering new perspectives and bringing clarity, focus, and a non-anxious presence to anxious situations
• Partnering in ministry with the Minneapolis Area Synod

What we do

Healthy Congregations Workshops
Innovative and practical workshops designed to encourage and promote healthier interaction that helps congregations move forward in mission and ministry.

• Gain a renewed sense of purpose and vision
• Cultivate strong leadership capacities to challenge the congregation
• Learn how to develop healthy patterns of living together in community
• Learn to focus on strengths, resources, and options for the future
• Boost confidence in responding to challenges and opportunities
• Learn how to lead calmly and thoughtfully
• Reflect theologically about relationships
• Move the congregation toward healthier functioning

Composed of six five-session workshops which are flexible and can be completed in a variety of time segments. We focus on the congregation as a system, responding to anxiety and change, leadership, relationships, stewardship, and spiritual life. We use videos, case studies, workbooks, conversation, and current research and experience in congregational life for thoughtful and interactive learning and impart useful skills to help leaders and members advance the health of their congregations. Taught by qualified and professionally trained workshop leaders. There is an affordable facilitator honorarium and study guides.Healthy Congregations workshops were developed by Dr. Peter Steinke, a Lutheran pastor, counselor, and author who serves as a consultant to clergy and congregations nationwide. 

Bridgebuilder process

A structured process for helping congregations in times of transition and tension.

• Viewing objectively a congregation’s emotional system, especially when a congregation is feeling a  disconnect, discord or confusion.
• Lessening the anxiety which leads to greater clarity
• Redefining a difficult situation as an opportunity
• Focusing on assets/resources, not liabilities
• Empowering a congregation/leaders to manage their situation
• Finding vision for the future
• Increasing the leadership capacities within the congregation
• Renewing of purpose and mission
• Assisting in an action plan, a concrete move to an energized future

The Bridgebuilder process occurs over a series of months and includes:

• Entry Meeting: determining the readiness of a congregation to enter into the process.
• Congregational Education: teaching how the congregation functions as an emotional system.
• Interviews: collecting data from staff, leaders, and members at large.
• Action Report: a written report presented at a congregational meeting containing information learned by the consultant about how the congregational system is functioning.
• Action Planning Process: strategic consideration of information in the action report leading to concrete follow-up action steps directed at healing.