In early March, Pastor Patrick invited all members of Peace Lutheran Church to attend an informational session offered by the NALC. The purpose of this meeting was to learn more about the NALC RENEW program and to invite members to consider volunteering for this meaningful opportunity to explore the strengths and future of our small congregational ministry.
Following this informational meeting, nine members of Peace Lutheran Church, along with Pastor Patrick, committed to participate in a half-day RENEW Retreat held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in the Peace Lutheran Fellowship Hall.
Participants and committee members included: Geri Burnett, April Eschberger (Co-Facilitator), Mary Ann Fenske, Kent Givens, Rebecca Luckey (Co-Facilitator), Jo Powell, Mike Pruett, Bob and Vick von Gonten, and Pastor Patrick Welton.
Through the NALC self-congregational RENEW program, churches like Peace Lutheran are reminded that we do not need to be “fixed”—we need to be renewed. The NALC teaches that renewal begins when a congregation returns to its first love, rediscovers its “why,” and listens afresh to what the Holy Spirit is saying.
Within the NALC, there is a strong belief that every congregation—whether thriving or struggling—is called to be alive in Christ. Through prayerful discernment, strategic reflection, and Spirit-led planning, congregations like Peace can reconnect with their calling and build a faithful path forward.
The NALC provides guidance and support to congregations engaged in the important work of spiritual and strategic renewal.
During the Saturday, March 14 retreat, the committee focused on identifying shared values and practices that are vital to Peace Lutheran Church, regardless of any future strategic plans. The retreat provided space for thoughtful discussion and reflection around questions such as:
What is God doing here at Peace? What is He calling us to become? Where are we thriving, and what must we never change?
The committee affirmed that Peace Lutheran is actively engaged in a wide variety of service, fellowship, and discipleship opportunities. As we began to look toward the future, we were asked to think intentionally about ministry ideas that fall into four key categories: Invite, Retain, Disciple, and Send (IRDS).
The NALC provided the following definitions to guide our RENEW activities:
INVITE—How we create a welcoming environment where people feel at home, making it a place where church members want to invite others, and how this relates to outreach. The service opportunities listed under INVITE are all “first come, first served” opportunities. People from outside our community can join quickly. You can have many ideas for make your church an inviting place to worship.
RETAIN—Provide ways for members to connect, meet their needs, and make the church a place we ant to be. Word and Sacrament are key, and the quality of what we offer is essential. Worship, family ministry, and growth opportunities are vital. The service opportunities listed under RETAIN allow people to connect, creating deeper, long-lasting bonds. People connect through serving together, an easy first step. Think mission trips, serving others, building, painting, cleaning, etc.
DISCIPLE—Educate people in their faith and develop their ability to share that faith with others. Equip people to lead in the congregation and the world. Think mentors and proteges. What is our intentional means of growing one-on-one and as a group? There must be a discipleship pathway for developing people. How can we fulfill the Great Commission and develop disciples who can support and build other disciples?
SEND—We are going out not the community and inviting people to join us. We are bringing our love for the Lord outside of the church campus. All of us are part of SEND. We are being equipped as we grow here. This might mean a connection to missions are potentially church planting.
We noted that everything we do within Peace’s ministry plan, including what we are currently doing should align with our mission and vision set by the Peace membership. If what we are doing does not align with our mission and these four categories, we should adjust.
The results from the RENEW 2026 will be a year-long VISION process with intentional ACTION, that will concentrate in four Vision Areas: Sundays, Groups, Events, and Serving (outside of Sundays). These four Vision Areas must also include the four Ministry Categories.
See the BLANK example table below to better understand:
| Our Vision (GOAL) | ||||
| INVITE | RETAIN | DISCIPLE | SEND | |
| SUNDAYS | ||||
| GROUPS | ||||
| EVENTS | ||||
| SERVING (outside of Sundays) | ||||
This year-long process allows for ongoing reflection and fosters a culture of ownership, clarity, and shared mission among Peace Lutheran Rockdale members—rather than dependence on outside experts.
March 14, 2026, marked the first step toward ACTION. During the retreat, the RENEW Committee identified several future ideas worth capturing. However, for an idea to move forward into action, someone must be willing to volunteer and take responsibility for leading it.
The ten committee members who met on March 14 reached a consensus and committed to four one-year goals for 2026. These goals received the highest number of votes and have members who agreed to lead them:
Peace Lutheran Activity Goals to Implement for 2026
- Mother’s Day Service – Digital Pilot with church large screen technology during Church Service – Kent Givens & Rebecca Luckey
- Summer 2026 – Digital/Electronic Bible Study – April Eschberger & Amy Jeanne Welton
- August 2026 – Rally Day Event – Geri Burnett & Mary Ann Fenske
- Blood Drive hosted at Peace – Mary Ann Fenske
Additional future ideas are currently displayed on large posters in the coffee gathering area. Members are encouraged to review them and add suggestions. If you see an idea that excites you and would like to volunteer to lead or help with it, the RENEW Committee would love to hear from you.
We invite every member to share their gifts and talents by choosing an activity you love or partnering with others to help Peace Lutheran continue to grow through meaningful action and engagement. As you may have noticed in the tables below, many areas are still waiting to be filled—your ideas and involvement matter!
(continued on next page)
| INVITE (FUTURE IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS) | |
| SUNDAY | GROUPS |
| • Church Yard signs for members • Purchase Google Ads • Provide Push Cards to handout • Have large Event A-frame sandwich signs • Weekly Social Media • Bring in musicians to attract the community | • Game Nights • Movie Nights • Need to start new groups • Consistent Meetings |
| EVENTS | SERVING (outside of church) |
| • Garage Sale • Church Birthday Celebration/homecoming – June 24, 1883 • VBS (maybe event/day) • 4th of July • Game Night • Bingo • 5th Quarter (Jr High or HS) | • Meals on Wheels • Sr Citizens • Nursing Home • VBS |
| RETAIN (FUTURE IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS) | |
| SUNDAY | GROUPS |
| • Write letters/call follow up to visitors • Contemporary music • “Call Committee” for members who miss 2 Sundays | • Promote of activities, stand up in church, call, ask if a ride is needed • Mentor (family, individuals, new) |
| EVENTS | SERVING (outside of church) |
| • Work Day • Religious Movies • Transportation if needed | • Alternate group of people serving • Contact volunteers for services • Contact volunteers and display appreciation |
| DISCIPLE (FUTURE IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS) | |
| SUNDAY | GROUPS |
| • Adult Sunday School • Members in the Service | • Bible Study • Life to Life Discipleship NALC • Balanced Life in Christ Study (Lutheran Foundation) |
| EVENTS | SERVING (outside of church) |
| • 6 week outreach program • Retreats • Committee Planning & Events | • Stephen Ministry |
| SEND (FUTURE IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS) | |
| SUNDAY | GROUPS |
| • Nursing Facility Caroling • Radio Broadcast | |
| EVENTS | SERVING (outside of church) |
| • Holy Week • Bible Studies • Booth at Community Events | • Mission Trips • World Day of Prayer |
If you are interested in getting involved or have new ideas to help Peace Lutheran continue its RENEW journey in 2026, please reach out to any RENEW Committee member, Pastor Patrick, or call the church office and ask for someone to contact you.
Together, our shared ideas, gifts, and willingness to serve will help Peace Lutheran grow and thrive as we live out God’s mission in our community.
April Eschberger & Rebecca Luckey
Co-Facilitators, 2026 NALC RENEW Program @ PLC