Every year, church lay leaders and their pastors are invited to attend a variety of workshops on topics just for them. From budgets to social media and emergency preparedness to evangelism, there is something for everyone.
“The Tool Kit is one of our most talked about and appreciated events for lay leaders!” – Bishop Ann Svennungsen
Thank you for joining us at the 2023 Tool Kit!
You can view resources from the workshops below.
Resources from past events
Land Acknowledgements…And Beyond! Led by Dr. Kelly Sherman Conroy
Becoming Faithful Neighbors Led by Nicholas Tangen and John Hulden
From Needs to Assets Led by Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement
Growing Young Led by Dr. Kris Bjorke
Congregations and Mental Health Led by a Panel with Rev. Babette Chatman, Rev. Kate Reuer Welton, and Vicki Elliott
Building Volunteerism Led by a Panel with Kristy Philips, Megan Moen, and Pete Erickson
Institutional Trauma and Moral Injury Led by Rev. Aaron Fuller
Forming Connections with the Deaf Community Led by Janie Barlow and Deacon Dorothy Sparks
Getting People Involved in Making Your Congregation Greener Led by Jack Hurbanis
Yikes! I’m on Church Council Led by Rev. John Hulden
Construyendo una Comunidad Multicultural Presentado por Pastores Stephanie y Jorge Espinoza
- Bishop Ann’s Welcome and Update (Video)
- Cultivating Generosity – Rev. Norma Malfatti
- Video, Resource List, PowerPoint, Norma’s email address: n.malfatti@mpls-synod.org
- Raising Funds From Outside Your Congregation — Joy Skjestad
- Sighs Too Deep For Words: A Liturgy in Response to Faith, Sexism, and Justice — Rev. Ingrid Rasmussen and Rev. Jen Nagel
- Navigating Wilderness Whitewater in the Winter: Future-ready Leadership Skills — Stephanie Luedtke
- Practicing Community Engagement — Nicholas Tangen
- Congregations and Community Care: Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Reintegration — Rev. Aaron Fuller
- Virtual Worship 3 Ways — Brenda Blackhawk, Rev. Eric Hoffer, Rev. Doug Mork, Chance Amundson
- Video, Brenda’s email: b.blackhawk@mpls-synod.org
- Leadership Through Loss and Promise of Change — The Joshua Group
- Building a Social Media Campaign — Maya Bryant and Kayla Zopfi
- Video, Handout, PowerPoint, Maya’s email: m.bryant@mpls-synod.org, Kayla’s email: k.zopfi@mpls-synod.org
- Effective Congregation Councils — Paul Walters
- Bishop Ann’s update about the synod (Handout, Video Recording)
- Generosity Now: Tools and Conversation for Mission (Video Recording, Resource List)
- Yes, Addressing Systemic White Racism and Connecting with Neighborhoods Can Lead to Congregation Vitality (Video Recording (password: w^wec9qV), PowerPoint)
- Standing with Immigrants: From Resolution to Action (PowerPoint, MAS Sanctuary Synod Resolution, Guardian Angels – an introduction | ELCA – YouTube)
- Real Estate and Property Management in COVID and Beyond (Contact the presenter, Paul)
- Why Church? (PowerPoint, Handout)
- Smooth Sailing: Becoming a Resilient Leader in Turbulent Times(Video Recording (password: YDpB7HP%), PowerPoint, Handout: Resilience 10 Ways Resiliency Worksheet, Handout: Resiliency Worksheet)
- Burnout: Getting through It with Hope and Purpose (PowerPoint)
- Worshiping in a Digital Age Not of our Choosing (Video Recording (password: y!?HP!3^))
- RIP Medical Debt (Video Recording (password: =22KGBBV))
- Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices (PowerPoint, Learn more about the program on the synod website)
- Financial Contingency Planning (PowerPoint)
- Engaging Racial Justice at the Synod (Learn more about the synod’s work toward racial justice, Reach out to our Racial Justice Organizer, Brenda, PowerPoint)
- Engaging Local Energy Democracy (Reach out to our EcoFaith organizer, Emilie, Details about the “Leading with Love towards 100% renewable energy” event, Learn more)
- Jubilee: Finding Courage to Enter the Path
- Young Adult Ministry in 2021 and Beyond
- What Our New Starts are Learning That You Should Know – MAS Mission Developers
- Best Accounting Practices – Ty Inglis
- What Churches Can and Can’t Do Regarding the Election
- Parents as Faith Formers – Stephanie Luedtke
- Mental Health Connect – Vicki Elliott
- Good Stewardship: Maximizing the Value of your Real Estate – Jeremy Striffler
- How to Kill a Meeting – Rev. John Hulden
- Engaging your Community: An Introduction to Mission Insite – John Mai
- Quilts, Kits, and So Much More: Living the Accompaniment Model in Global Community – Companion Table of the Minneapolis Area Synod
- HR Responsibilities for Church Council – Janet Thompson
- What is Sanctuary Church? – Jen Nagel and Nick Tangen
- Church Safety and Emergency Preparedness – members of Our Savior’s, East Bethel
- 5 Signs of a Vital Congregation and 2 Questions Not to Ask PowerPoint – Rev. Deb Stehlin
- Digital Media 101 Resource List – Jeni Huff and Bob Hulteen
- Digital Media 101 PowerPoint – Jeni Huff and Bob Hulteen
- Financial and Accounting Guide – Ty Inglis
- Good Stewardship – Maximizing the Value of Your Real Estate PowerPoint – Jeremy Striffler
- MissionInSite Registration Info – Courtney Olsen