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Christian Witness in Smaller Membership Congregations
An authentic, loving approach to sharing your faith story.
About this Course
Christian Witness in Smaller Membership Congregations was designed to explore how to talk about faith in a way that feels natural—like sharing your favorite book or a story about something that changed your life.
What You’ll Be Able to Do:
Ever feel awkward when you try to share your faith?
You’re not alone. In some churches, outreach is a job. But for smaller membership congregations, it’s just life—welcoming a new neighbor, offering to pray for a friend going through a hard time, or sharing a meal with someone who needs a listening ear. No scripts, no pressure—just real conversations that open the door to faith.
That’s exactly why Christian Witness in Smaller Membership Congregations was created. Your church might not have a big outreach team, but that doesn’t mean you’re not making an impact.
In fact, churches like yours are often the heartbeat of their communities—hosting food drives, showing up at town events, and being the ones people turn to in times of crisis. And because of that, the best invitations to faith don’t come from the pulpit or a flyer—they come from you, in the everyday moments when God is already at work.
This course is here to help you step into those moments with confidence. You’ll learn how to talk about faith in a way that feels natural—like sharing your favorite book or a story about something that changed your life. Through storytelling, deep listening, and simple, thoughtful conversations, you’ll see how small moments—a heartfelt chat over coffee, a kind word to a struggling coworker, or an offer to help someone move—can plant seeds of faith in ways you may not expect.
Together, we’ll explore how to share your faith with humility and love, honoring relationships while gently extending the hope we carry. Because faith doesn’t spread through pressure or programs—it grows through real relationships, and you’re already in the perfect place to make that happen.
Modules
Welcome
Get oriented to the course, meet your instructor, download the interactive handbook, and more.
Module 1 - Come and See: What is Your Story?
In this module you will:
- Engage in spiritual practices to grow deeper and wider in your faith
- Reflect on the ways that God has given you a unique story.
- Practice identifying and appreciating God at work.
Module 2 - Planting Faith in a Secular Age
In this module you will:
- Learn and notice the ways that your contexts, history, and increasingly secular age all influence the experience of hearing and sharing the Good News.
- Recognize and reflect on the ways that faith forms in an increasingly secular age.
- Experiment with some models of planting faith that seek to address our current secular culture and resistance to the institutional church.
Module 3 - God Does the Planting
In this module you will:
- Trust in God’s power and develop your place as a witness.
- Learn to trust God to face your fears about sharing our witness.
- Develop a deeper capacity and comfort to talk about God’s work in your life.
Module 4 - Jesus Plants Good News in Love
In this module you will:
- Learn how Jesus embodies the Good News and proclaims it.
- Find ways to share about Jesus in your context that are authentic to you.
- Develop your sensitivity to Jesus’ call to follow him.
Module 5 - God's Spirit Inspires Listening and Sharing
In this module you will:
- Learn skills for deep listening to God and your community
- Engage in deep listening to fruitfully and wisely share your faith.
- Expand your comfort zone in ways and settings for sharing your faith.
Module 6 - Planting Love: Good News in Community
In this module you will:
- Reflect on how faith is developed and nurtured in communities.
- Invite people in your faith community to imagine with you how to nurture, grow and share your faith.
- Experiment with some sharing approaches that specifically address our current culture.
Module 7 - Planting Love: Good News in Relationships
In this module you will:
- Explore ways to invite and plant the Good News as you interact with others.
- Develop ways to deepen and share your own household’s faith.
- Apply skills of noticing to open, explore and speak the Gospel.
Module 8 - Walking with People and Practicing the Faith
In this module you will:
- Understand God’s sending call.
- Reflect on your calling both inside and outside of your paid occupation.
- Practice listening to the call of God.
Completing the Course
Find out your next steps as you complete the course. You'll also be encouraged to submit feedback about your course.
One-time purchase
$55
With Faith+Lead Membership
$0*
Get a free public display license to use for group study.
$0*
*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.95 per month
- Modules:
10 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors
Jon Anderson
Pastor Jon Anderson serves as Director of Rural Ministry at Luther Seminary. He grew up on a dairy farm south of Belgrade, Minnesota (Between Willmar and Sauk Rapids). His ancestors came to this land in the late 1850s, and his family lives there to this day. His family farm is located on land that was the traditional homeland of the Dakota people.
In his early ministry he served at camps and congregations in Texas and Minnesota. He recently completed eighteen years of service as bishop in the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA. As Director of Rural Ministry he provides leadership in the area of Luther Seminary’s Small Town and Rural (STaR) Ministry.
Anderson earned his M.Div. from Luther Seminary (1985) and a Bachelor of Arts from St. Olaf College (1981). He loves to garden and play with his grandchildren. Planting seeds, growing plants and walking with people as they grow gives him joy.
Ready to Enroll?
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One-time purchase
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- Access the course workbook for individual study
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- Access to this on-demand course
- Access to all 40+ on-demand courses
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- Access all leaders guides for group study
- Access all course workbooks for individual study
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What to Expect with a Faith+Lead Academy Course
You’ll get a transformative learning experience that combines trustworthy theological teaching with spiritual practices, interactive elements, and a supportive online community.
Know
Expand your theological toolkit with fresh insights for today’s ministry landscape. Connect timeless wisdom with practical frameworks for navigating change.
Be
Do
Practice skills to lead confidently in your ministry context. Take actionable steps to invite your community into God’s unfolding story.
Every Academy course is designed to
Help your growth in one of these core areas:
Develop a Christ-centered identity, grounded in theology, scripture, and spiritual practice, that empowers community members to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life.
Tell the story of Jesus and invite neighbors into Jesus’ way of life and love through words and actions they can recognize.
Listen deeply, name God’s presence in the midst of everyday life, and form life-giving relationships across all dimensions of diversity—both within and beyond the church.
Through mutual relationships with the neighbors among whom you’re hosted, join in acts of compassion, justice, and reconciliation as a witness to the ministry of Jesus—especially in places of suffering and despair.
Harness skills of agile leadership, stewardship, fundraising, entrepreneurism, and management to be nimble enough to respond to a changing cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect when I take an Academy course?
Academy courses consist of 6-10 lessons or modules, each walking you through the “know, be, do” learning framework. You’ll learn some new information with instructor videos and other resources (know). You’ll engage in a spiritual practice that will help you develop your faith around the topic (be). Then, you’ll be asked to apply what you’ve learned through activities completed online or in the “real world” (do).
How long will it take me to complete a course?
Each module is designed to take 15-45 minutes. Some learners complete the course in as little as one day. Some do a module a day or even a module a week. We suggest allowing some time between modules to process what you are learning, but not so much time that you lose momentum.
What resources are available if I’m a group leader?
Each course includes a flexible leader’s guide with multiple pathways for group facilitation. You’ll find thought-provoking discussion questions and practical activities that connect faith with daily life, designed to work with whatever preparation time you have available. These resources equip you to foster meaningful discipleship experiences that meet your community where they are.
What do I need to know about the free private online social group?
The private online group allows you to connect with others. Because our courses don’t have a required start or stop date, you will encounter others in different places in the course and even in different courses altogether. This is by design. Feel free to interact as much or as little as you like.
What should I do if I have questions or problems with my registration?
Reach out via email to faithlead@luthersem.edu with your question and we’ll get back to you with a response within two business days.
What if I have a suggestion or request for a course topic?
The best way to connect with us is to complete this form with your suggestion. We always want to hear your feedback. You may also include it in the comments section of the course evaluation.
Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at support@faithlead.org for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!