Our Transformational Journey

In 2023, HTLC began the Ecumenical Connect (E-Connect) journey which is a congregational transformational ministry process that involves both spiritual and organizational transformation. E-Connect is about learning how we can feel closer to Jesus, each other, and the world.  At its very heart, the E-Connect process is centered in the belief that God has provided everything a congregation needs to carry out the ministry God calls it to do. 

• E-Connect is an outgrowth of the Connect process developed by the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and is an ecumenical ministry in Indiana and Kentucky, comprising the ELCA, The Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the United Church of Christ. This process is made possible by a Lilly Endowment Thriving Congregations Grant.

What It’s About: 

• Connecting with Jesus, one another, and the world by lining up the congregation’s purpose, identity, and mission with God’s vision and plan
• Renewing our congregation and linking the gifts that God has given us with God’s vision for the world
• Celebrating and using what we have, rather than lamenting about and focusing on what we don’t have
• Finding energy, purpose, and direction for God’s work through prayer, conversation, and faith practices
• Navigating change calmly, confidently, and effectively

What We’ll Learn and Experience During the E-Connect Process: 

• Connecting — Connect with Jesus, one another, and the world 
• Growing spiritually — Deepen our faith, strengthen our commitment, and rediscover our purpose 
• Telling our story — Discover how God’s story and our story come together to shape our future 
• Discovering gifts and assets — Assess and utilize our God-given gifts in loving service to Christ and neighbor
• Leading through change — Change is hard, but essential for the church to grow. Learn how to lead through healthy change
• Action planning — Learn basic principles for congregational renewal and develop a contextual mission/action plan
• Participating in a journey — Utilize the provided tools and resources and join the Holy Spirit on a journey

During this process, the HTLC E-Connect team will learn the basic principles of congregational health and renewal and develop a mission/action plan for moving forward toward God’s promised future. As we continue with E-Connect, we hope that we can all grow spiritually, deepen our faith, strengthen our commitment to God and each other, and rediscover our purpose as God’s hands in the world.

Contact the E-Connect Team Members

If you have any questions, please ask any of your E-Connect team members by reaching out to the church office or our contact form:   

• Debra Blum – Lay Leader
• Nita Cunningham
• Helen Hicks-Wenthold
• Kevin Hintzman