Mission: Congregational renewal

Often a Lutheran college’s or university’s presence in a congregation is limited to a few glossy pamphlets or an admissions presentation. A collaboration between Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa, and the Southeastern Iowa Synod is changing this reality.

Liz Meade, an Episcopal priest, lights a candle during a Sacred Practices Leadership Series worship service at the Center for Renewal, a collaboration between Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa, and the Southeastern Iowa Synod.

Grand View funds the Center for Renewal, which promotes discussion, lifelong learning and consulting services for the synod’s congregations and the broader church.

In 2005, discussions between then-synod-bishop Philip L. Hougen and Grand View President Kent Henning identified complementary needs. The synod needed synodically based continuing education while Grand View could benefit from a stronger connection to the synod and the broader church. “If we would expect Lutherans in congregations to care about Grand View, I felt that it was important that we bring something of value to that relationship,” Henning said.