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Just what exactly is SMI anyway?
Five Lutheran churches grouped along the White Horse Pike that do cooperative ministry together make up what is called "SMI". Here is a little background for anyone unfamiliar with this ministry.
The acronym “SMI” originally stood for “Shared Mission Initiative” and was coined by Pastor Margaret Payne when she was on our synod staff a number of years ago. It was based on the concept that within the New Jersey Synod, urban ministries received a large chunk of resources and support from the synod and the ELCA, and at the same time, the large, affluent suburban churches were more than self-sufficient. However, the smaller suburban congregations like ours often seemed to “fall between the cracks”. So the original vision for SMI was that these smaller suburban churches might find new ways to work together in a common mission, as well as attract and share resources. Since the Lutheran churches in West Collingswood, Haddon Heights, Magnolia, and Lindenwold were already doing some cooperative ministry, it was suggested that these four congregations work together to develop this new initiative, which might then serve as a model for our synod, or even the ELCA. Both clergy and laity from these churches began to explore new possibilities for doing shared ministry, and were joined by Holy Trinity, Audubon and Spirit of Hope, Mt. Ephraim. Shortly thereafter, the pastors in five of those six congregations left (I was the only one who remained), and it was “back to the drawing board”. Over the years, a new vision for shared ministry has evolved among those six churches. However, in February of 2008, Spirit of Hope closed its doors, leaving the other five conregations to still work together. We now share mid-week Lenten worship/study time, (as well as other worship services throughout the year), Confirmation, and a new SMI Youth Group. We also share resources, including a copier. In addition, we have offered a number of other events, including a Fastnacht celebration (complete with singing raisins), a Spaghetti Supper for seminary building fund, and several Advent family workshops. The pastors also gather on a weekly basis for Bible study and sermon preparation, as well as a yearly planning retreat. In addition, the new “Transformational Ministry” will offer new opportunities for our six congregations to work together, and most of all, grow spiritually together. So while the letters “SMI” have stuck, the scope and vision of this ministry has changed greatly over the past dozen years or so. Instead of “Shared Mission Initiative”, one might suggest that “Sharing Ministry Intentionally” is a more accurate description of who we are and what we do together.
"Over the years, a new vision for shared ministry has evolved among the five churches along the White Horse Pike in Camden County New Jersey"
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Six Churches, Six Pastors, One Shared Mission
The pastors of the five SMI churches view each other as colleagues and friends, and not in competition with one another. They participate in a weekly lectionary-based Bible study for sermon preparation, and have also participated in several SMI Pastor's Retreats.
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