Mission Developer Training Part II

Mission Developer TrainingPart II February – 2010

FIRST SIX MONTH PLAN Gain Expertise in Four Basic Tools: • Doing Missional Theology in a Lutheran Key • Reading the Context • Leadership Development • Assessing and Enhancing the Health of the Congregation

FIRST SIX MONTH PLAN Create Support Mechanisms: • Regular time with DEM • Monthly reports to EOCM • Monthly coaching sessions • Develop prayer partners

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY “O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (ELW)

MISSION DEVELOPER ISSUES FIRST SIX MONTHS • “Where am I?” Adjustment to new home • “Why did I agree to this?” Adjustment to new call • “What am I going to do?” Adjustment to setting one’s own schedule • “How am I going to get all this done?” Adjustment to first six month plan

FIRST SIX MONTHS“WHERE AM I?” • Everything is new – home, shops, neighbors, medical/dental care, hair, etc. • Grieving what has been left – home, church, friends, etc. • Initiating new relationships • Finding church home where one is not the pastor • Home and home office, together yet separate

FIRST SIX MONTHS“Why did I agree to this?” • Routine of old call no longer applies • Self regulating schedule • No church building, office, support staff.. • It sounded so exciting at the Mission Developer Conference

FIRST SIX MONTHSWhat Am I Going to Do? • “Blizzard” of information from Mission Development conference • How do I make sense out of “do this” and “don’t do that”? • What comes first? • Lay leadership development • Interested but….. • The “clock is ticking”

FIRST SIX MONTHS“How to get all this done?” • Initial six month plan provides steps • Monthly reports to EOCM with focus on specifics (i.e. joys, goals, prayer concerns) • Create a weekly schedule/develop routine • Meet with area colleagues • Meet the community and get connected • Motivation for initial calling • Forming Steering Committee

Ministry Planning“Lutheran Key” Three critical areas for the first 6-12 months of ministry: • Mission Identity • Common Purpose • Shared Vision Rouse/Van Gelder, “A Field Guide for the Missional Congregation”

Missional Identity Twin focus: • Theological: What is God already doing here? How is this new ministry invited to partner with God’s presence? What will reveal the “heaven’s torn apart”? God is missional, therefore the church is missional. • Sociological: Is the area currently underserved with ministry (mainline or other) presence? Is there a significant unchurched presence? What is the demographic profile?

Common Purpose What is God calling this ministry to be about? Purpose statements provide direction: “Healing hurts, re-building dreams, transforming lives”.* Ministry is developed and focused upon this statement. *”Field Guide” Van Gelder/Rouse

Mission/Purpose “Mission is holistic and contextual with regard to its aim, practice and location. Its aim encompasses the whole of creation (ecological concerns), the whole of life (social, political, economic, and cultural), and whole human being (spiritual, mental, relational, physical, and environmental need).” Melanchthon, “Mission in Asian Context”

Mission/Purpose “Christians should work to bring about a change in ‘personal and collective consciences of people, their activities and ways of life, and the milieux in which they live.’” (T. Michel, “The Challenge on Interfaith Dialog) Mission/Purpose suggests there is an “alternate reality/alternate vision” for life. (W. Brueggeman)

Shared Vision What will ministry look like if the Common Purpose is lived out in this context? What does “healing”, “re-building”, and “transformation of life” look like in the Primary Service Area? Gospel “good news” begins to take on a specific/practical/contextual look. Invitation related to the Shared Vision. This is the “how” to living out purpose.

New Ministry Profile Asks the question: “What are the most compelling reasons why the ELCA should develop this new ministry; in this area; at this time?” Asks another question: “How is this going to happen? What will be the result?” Great questions! How are these answered in your New Ministry Profile?

Developing A Bi/Trifocal Vision for Ministry Bifocal Vision: Contextual ministry with a focus on the immediate Primary Service Area (geographic area) or ethnic community. Focus on the larger community as well as the developing community of faith. This focus gives definition to Shared Vision and is lived out in all areas of ministry (worship, learning, service, etc. as well as real estate).

Developing a Bi/Trifocal Vision for Ministry Trifocal Ministry: In addition to addressing the immediate contexts (community and congregation), a broader vision includes connection to the larger world. This includes church relationships such as area churches, conference/synod/ELCA, and global concerns.

Ministry Plan for First Six Months • Get connected, immersed, involved with your ministry context. Meet the people who live there, leaders in the area, merchants, etc.. Test the demographic report. • Take time to formulate good questions that will lead to informative conversations with those who live, work, and play in the ministry context. • Listen and ask more questions. • Look for potential leaders who, at this point, are more comfortable with asking questions and conversation than in starting a church.

Ministry Plan for Months 6-12 • Identify and invite 4 or 5 people to take an initial leadership role in developing a Common Purpose and Shared Vision. Start creating the bifocal vision. • Keep meeting with people. Expand conversations to those who are yet to be heard. • Start looking at how program areas of ministry will support the Shared Vision. • Start introducing the trifocal vision for ministry to leadership and provide reminders.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS • What have you done to get settled in your new community? • In what ways have you connected with community leaders and residents in the service area? • What have you learned about the ministry context? Any surprises? • How is “healing, re-building, and transformation” taking place? (“God’s work”) • Any initial thoughts about how “our hands” might dig in?

Mission Developer Training Part II