Bob Sitze

About Bob Sitze

I can assist congregations - and judicatories - in mainline denominations in fresh ways of approaching the most vexing problems as the most promising opportunities. Because I work at ecclesiology from a forward position, I am more scout/coach than chaplain/mechanic, and balance hopeful new approaches with insistent critique. I could be friends with the emerging church folks. For the past forty years, I have developed and written thoughtful, practical resources for four major Lutheran church bodies, in almost every area of congregational life, and for almost every age level. My more recent works have included the following books: NOT Trying Too Hard: New Basics for Sustainable Congregations, Your Brain Goes to Church: Neuroscience and Congregational Life, Starting Simple: Conversations About the Way We Live, It\'s NOT Too Late: A Field Guide to Hope, and Simple Enough: A Companion Along the Way (e-book) Quite a few years back, I dropped out of professional church work for awhile to learn what it meant to be \"faithful layperson.\" I worked in a social services program and as a meat worker. I still carry within me a passion for the priesthood of all believers, at its most radical core. Specialties: I am a skilled writer and editor, with over forty years of experience in developing resources for congregational use. Areas include: Curriculum and experiential learning, lifestyle assessment and change, asset-mapping, hunger ministries, ministry in daily life, congregational stewardship development, leadership development, youth and family ministries, worship and music. I approach most situations with exuberant creativity and asset-discovery as my basic emotional posture.

Experience

1. Book Author

   WRITER

   Aug 2014 — Present · Wheaton, IL

   With advancing years coming on me like a surprise birthday party-thanks for that, and please hold the ice cream-I realized that one thing I know something about is growing older, and doing is well. That means holding life itself as precious, a gift from God and a reason to live fully. In whatever circumstances I find myself. So I started the blog, and dedicated it to the proposition that spiritually mature folks - people like you- might want more than the usual devotional or spiritual observations. Starting with the realities of older adulthood and the insistence of living to fulfill God\'s will, I have started crafting written and filmed entries - all of them short - so that people like you could live purposefully into your later years.That\'s my intent, too! God-willing, of course.

Education

• Indiana University Bloomington

  MS in Education, Radio/Television and Communications

  1967 — 1968

• Concordia University, Nebraska

  B.S. in Education, Education, Music (Organ and Choral) , Sociology

  1960 — 1964

Skills

• Annual Giving
• Newsletters
• Pastoral Care
• Religion
• Inspiration
• Program Development
• Gardening
• Church Events
• Straight Talking
• Books
• Liturgy
• Community Outreach
• Spiritual Direction
• Theology
• Non-Profit Administration
• Nonprofits
• Volunteer Training
• Grant Writing
• Planned Giving
• Psychotherapy
• Writing
• Editing
• Discipleship
• Workshop Facilitation
• Creative Writing
• Teaching
• Conflict Resolution
• Community Organizing
• Biblical Studies
• Curriculum Design
• Leadership
• Youth Ministry
• Teaching Adults
• Volunteer Management
• Philanthropy
• Fundraising
• Public Speaking
• Project Planning
• Community Development
• Neuroecclesiology