The Weekly Five

Five Things to Know This Week in the Southwestern Texas Synod

Becoming… Week 3

Learning to See Through the Eyes of Jesus


(see below for Spanish version)


The things we notice shape the stories we tell. If that’s true, then another question naturally follows. Where do those stories come from? Or perhaps even more importantly: Who teaches us how to see? For those of us who follow Jesus, that question matters. Because discipleship is about more than believing what Jesus believed or doing what Jesus did. It is also about learning to see the world as Jesus sees it.


As I began asking different questions about congregations, I found myself returning to the Gospels. Not looking for a new leadership strategy. Not searching for a better organizational model.


I simply wanted to spend more time watching Jesus. So I began reading the Gospels with one question in mind: What does Jesus notice? That single question changed the way I read Scripture.


Click here to keep reading.


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En proceso… La semana 3

Aprender a ver con los ojos de Jesús


Las cosas que notamos moldean las historias que contamos. Si eso es cierto, entonces otra pregunta surge de manera natural. ¿De dónde vienen esas historias? O, quizás aún más importante: ¿Quién nos enseña a ver? Para quienes seguimos a Jesús, esa pregunta importa. Porque el discipulado es más que creer lo que Jesús creyó o hacer lo que Jesús hizo. También se trata de aprender a ver el mundo como Jesús lo ve.


Cuando comencé a hacer preguntas distintas sobre las congregaciones, me encontré regresando a los Evangelios. No buscando una nueva estrategia de liderazgo. No en busca de un mejor modelo organizacional.


Simplemente quería pasar más tiempo observando a Jesús. Así que comencé a leer los Evangelios con una sola pregunta en mente: ¿Qué nota Jesús? Esa única pregunta cambió la manera en que leo las Escrituras.


Haz clic aquí para seguir leyendo.

Faithful Presence at the Polls: We Need You


This election season, there is an important role for people of faith to play—not in telling anyone how to vote, but in helping make sure every eligible voter can exercise that right safely and without intimidation.


Our ELCA social statement Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All reminds us that “political engagement … is a means of channeling God’s love through civic participation.” Showing up to help protect a fair and peaceful election process is one way we can practice that love of neighbor.


Click here to keep reading.

Portico Updates Webinar


Tuesday, September 10, at 5 pm


Have questions about the Portico changes for 2027? Join the Nebraska Synod for an informational Zoom meeting with Portico representative Pr. Timothy Schroeder. Attendance is limited to rostered ministers, congregational presidents, and congregational treasurers so that participation can be as widely spread as possible.


Register here.

Virtual Book Study


Sept. 22, Oct. 20, & Nov. 17

6-7 pm (Opening Space)

7-8 pm (Becoming Church)


The Wildvine Collective, an initiative of the San Antonio Mission Lab, will be hosting a virtual book study for folks across our synod wanting to cultivate new forms of Christian community in their neighborhoods. You can join one session or both depending on what would be most helpful for you! For questions, contact Hilda Santiago at hilda@samissionlab.org


Click here to learn more.

Transformational Ministry Grants


The Southwestern Texas Synod’s Transformational Ministry Grants support new projects, pilots, and experiments that help people experience God’s transforming grace and connect through learning, loving, and leading in innovative ways.

 

Who can apply?

SWT Synod congregations and conferences, ministry teams, working groups, and task forces.

 

How can funds be used?

Think of these grants as start-up funding for ministry experimentation. They are intended to help launch something new, not to provide ongoing operational support or serve as the project’s sole source of funding.

 

There is no set grant amount, but requests over $5,000 should consult with the Director for Evangelical Mission during the application process.

 

What might God be calling you to try?

  

DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 15. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 14

Webinar: Interrupting Harmful Patterns, Part 1

September 21

Webinar: Interrupting Harmful Patterns, Part 2

November 12

Gender Justice Training

April 30-May 1, 2027

Synod Assembly

Triumphant, Garden Ridge

Ministry Partners