What is Renew 145?
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
– Acts 2:42-47
After the birth of the church at Pentecost, the early members of the church invested time in learning about Jesus from the apostles. These people of faith shared what they had with one another and broke bread together. These children of God lived in such a way that they had the goodwill of all people.
Certainly much has changed in the 2000 years since the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost, but in the practices of those first Christians we can find helpful guidance for what it means to be a healthy, vital community of faith. For all these years later, we still are at our best as a church when we are growing deeper in our relationship with God, growing deeper in our relationship with one another, and growing deeper in our relationship with the community around us.
Renew 145 is an invitation for a team from your congregation to intentionally invest your time and your creativity in strengthening the healthy and vitality of your congregation. Leaders from around the Virginia Synod will offer reflections on ministry. Teams will work on projects to help nurture an area of ministry in their own congregation. Other teams will share what they have learned. Together, the group will fan the flames of the spirit in your congregation.
In case you were wondering, the name “Renew 145” comes from faithfulness and vitality described in Psalm 145 and the fact that there were 145 congregations in the Virginia Synod when this emphasis on congregational vitality was launched.
Reflection Questions
- Name one way your congregation helps you grow deeper in your relationship with God?
- What opportunities exist to help you grow deeper in your relationship with your fellow believers?
- How would your community describe your congregation?