P.L.U.M.
PITTSBURGH LUTHERAN UNITED MINISTRIES
P.L.U.M. is a cooperative ministry formed by three churches in the Pittsburgh area, those churches being St. Andrew Lutheran-East Carnegie; Christ Lutheran-Duquesne; and East Liberty Lutheran-City of Pittsburgh. Begun as a trial venture in May of 2004, the PLUM venture bcame official by near-unanimous voting in April of 2007. PLUM is presided over by Pastors Rev. John Gropp and Rev. Beth Siefert, and a 12-member board of represenatives from each of the 3 churches. Items that need voted on are presented to the individual congregations for ratification.
The purpose of PLUM is to provide a model whereby small congregations may continue to exist and provide the necessary ministry in their local area; this is done by pooling financial resources in order to afford pastoral support. PLUM currently has 2 pastors serving 3 churches. Due to the frightening number of small church congregations disappearing and the dwindling numbers of ordained clergy coming out of Seminary, it is felt that this cooperative ministry offers the best chances not only for the continued existence of the 3 congregations, it also presents opportunities to attract newly-ordained clergy to the small churches; it encourages sharing of worship sites, services, and events; allows cooperative efforts in church-related programs for youth and neighborhoods, and hopefully will provide an answer to a very uncertain and questionable future.
While a formal entity in body, PLUM is still very much a work in progress. It's an exciting, emotional, uplifting, exasperating, and quite unique experience to witness. More information will be forthcoming as this road is travelled. May God bless the work that is ahead, and may He bless us all as well.
