Southern Ohio Synod, ELCA

Discipleship: Boomers to Zoomers - Welcome to the Group Chat

Join us for a conversation between Rev. Dr. Tim Mentzer and members of the Southern Ohio Synod, sharing about how God has been at work, helping them grow as disciples of Jesus and inviting others to do the same.
 
Thank you to our conversation partners:
- Mr. Matthew Hazzard (Mission Developer & Program Director for Paraclete Post)
- Rev. Andrew Thompson (Abiding Christ Lutheran Church, Fairborn)
- Mrs. Robin Kaelin (President, Southern Ohio Synod Women of the ELCA and member at Zion Lutheran Church, Hamilton)
 
This conversation was recorded as one of the workshops offered at the 2026 Together in Christ event, held at Abiding Christ Lutheran Church in Fairborn, OH. 
 
To learn more about how the Southern Ohio Synod's discipleship ministries, contact Rev. Dr. Tim Mentzer at tmentzer@southernohiosynod.org.
 
#SOSynodELCA #StrongerandBetterTogether

Discipleship: Hope: Catching a Glimpse of the Future

Join Pr. Tim Mentzer for our next Discipleship Podcast!
 
The Discussion Guide for this episode is available here: https://tinyurl.com/35phkm8z 
 
#SOSynodELCA #StrongerandBetterTogether #Discipleship

Youth Ministry: What Is Youth Ministry Like Today?

Join us for a conversation between Mr. Gary Pecuch and several Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Ministers from across the Southern Ohio Synod, sharing about their call to serve in these roles and some of the realities of youth ministry in 2026.
Thank you to our conversation partners:
Ms. Ali Adams (Epiphany, Pickerington)
Ms. Greta Clouse (Peace, Gahanna)
Ms. Amelia Shrum (Peace, Gahanna)
Mr. Greg Osborne (St. Luke’s, Columbus)
To learn more about how the Southern Ohio Synod's children, youth, and familiy ministries or to learn more about how to develop safeguarding practices for your congregation, contact Mr. Gary Pecuch at gpecuch@southernohiosynod.org.
#SOSynodELCA #StrongerandBetterTogether

Discipleship: Discipleship & the Holidays

Join Pr. Tim Mentzer for our next Discipleship Podcast!
 
The Discussion Guide for this episode is available here: https://tinyurl.com/42pydw69
 
#SOSynodELCA #StrongerandBetterTogether #Discipleship

Collaboration: From Neighbors to Community

Join Pr. Katie Kerrigan (Director of Evangelical Mission) for a conversation with Pr. Matt Byrd (Christ the King Lutheran Church, West Chester) to learn more about how doing ministry alongside our neighbors can result in surprising new ways to serve God, one another, and creation together.
During this episode, you will also learn a little more about the #SOSynodELCA Co:Lab process. You can learn even more by visiting the Southern Ohio Synod website (https://southernohiosynod.org/congregations/co-lab/) or by contacting Pr. Matt Byrd (pastormatt@ctkluth.org) or Pr. Katie Kerrigan (kkerrigan@southernohiosynod.org).
#SOSynodELCA #StrongerandBetterTogether

Discipleship: Discipleship, Community, & Story

Join Pr. Tim Mentzer for our next Discipleship Podcast!
 
The Discussion Guide for this episode is available here: https://tinyurl.com/594dhvbe
 
#SOSynodELCA #StrongerandBetterTogether #Discipleship

Family Systems: Staying Present in Times of Anxiety

Join Pr. Bob Abrams (Assistant to the Bishop) for a conversation with Rev. Dr. Douglas Schonberg (Relational Systems Consulting) to learn more about how Bowen Family Systems Theory can help leaders and congregations/ministries use anxiety as a signal to teach rather than something to avoid.
 
To learn more about the Southern Ohio Synod Congregational Resource Team, please contact Pr. Bob Abrams at rabrams@southernohiosynod.org.
 
#SOSynodELCA #StrongerandBetterTogether

Discipleship: Why Do We Talk about Jesus as Part of Discipleship?

Join Pr. Tim Mentzer for our next Discipleship Podcast!
 
The Discussion Guide for this episode is available here: https://tinyurl.com/ye22p26a
 
#SOSynodELCA #StrongerandBetterTogether #Discipleship

Discipleship: Evangelism & Frontier Ministry

Join Pr. Tim Mentzer for our next Discipleship Podcast!
 
The Discussion Guide for this episode is available here: https://tinyurl.com/yzcp8ask 
 
#SOSynodELCA #StrongerandBetterTogether #Discipleship

Discernment: Here I Am, Lord

Join Pastor Connie Mentzer and Pastor Steve Kimm for a conversation about discernment and how this is a part of the Christian life, helping us follow where God is calling us.
A special Thank You to everyone who shared pieces of their discernment stories during this episode: Ms. Linda Lally (Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek), Pr. Mike Weaver (St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Columbus), Mr. Ethan Roberts (St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Lancaster), Pr. Julieanne Smeck (Hope Lutheran Church, Columbus), Pr. Carey Hovland (Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek), and Pr. Leslie Fox Lott (Christ Lutheran Church, Bexley).
For more information on the Southern Ohio Synod’s Leadership Academy, please contact Pr. Steve Kimm at leadershipacademy@southernohiosynod.org.
For more information on the Candidacy process, please contact Pr. Connie Mentzer at cmentzer@southernohiosynod.org.
#SOSynodELCA #StrongerandBetterTogether