As part of our 75th anniversary commemoration, we have planned forums and community conversations around three (3) focus areas — faith and community formation, leadership, and mission / outreach — to prepare us as we lean into our future.
These forums and conversations will provide the framework around which to think / plan / act and lead us to determining what is actionable into 2026 and beyond.
This program on Tuesday, April 29 focused on faith and community formation, speaking on using innovation to grow faith, hope, and relationship.
Author, poet, pastor, and child of Normandale Meta Herrick Carlson is a pastor at the Minnetonka campus of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Meta cares about cultivating healthy systems and preaching that moves us toward mercy and justice. She is also a co-founder of the Alter Guild podcast network.
An expert on innovation and congregational mission, Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile spoke on Sunday, June 1 about embracing innovation as a way to multiply leadership, grow mission and advance the spreading of the Gospel as a way to invigorate church and make it more relevant.
He used the example of Martin Luther as the ultimate innovator in “meeting people where they are” and how that is a powerful tool for any church in 2025 wondering how they can grow their community and increase their impact in their congregations, their neighborhood, the broader community, and the world.
We are so glad you joined us today at “75 Stories.” If you’d like to share your own story, please contact Director of Community Engagement Kristi Shepherd.
Join us back here or on our YouTube channel for more stories and share this podcast with your friends and family. We are all part of the Normandale community!