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Introduction. WELCOME. My story. The Joy. The Urgency. The Opportunity. LCMS Baptized Membership . The Opportunity. LCMS Adult Confirmations by Year. The Opportunity. LCMS Child Baptisms by Year. The Opportunity.
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Introduction WELCOME
My story The Joy
The Opportunity LCMS Baptized Membership
The Opportunity LCMS Adult Confirmations by Year
The Opportunity LCMS Child Baptisms by Year
The Opportunity FLGA Baptized Membership
The Opportunity FLGA / LCMS Child Baptisms
The Opportunity FLGA / LCMS Adult Confirmations 2011
The Goal • The tension • The farmer toils • The seed grows by itself Mark 4: 26-29
The Goal! By the grace of God, the number of people being saved in the FLGA district will have doubled by the end of 2015!
The process • “The . . . consistent practice among exemplary churches was well-thought out and consistently executed follow-up with their contact lists.” • Consistent Follow-up
The Process Consistent follow-up
The Process • Culture of Outreach
The Process • Preaching • Prayer • “[This] set of behaviors is perhaps the hardest to “design.” These pastors talked, and talked, and talked about the importance of reaching their community . . .
Session 3 Recommendations • Preaching • Prayer • They talked about it from the pulpit and in smaller settings. They communicated unequivocally to their people an expectation to be reaching those outside the church
The Process • Preaching • Prayer • Prayer that we are changed to God’s will • Prayer that God’s Kingdom of Grace grows
The Process • Training • The Barna study indicates that there are many choices, but it is important to do something • Supports the FLGA goal of training 6000 people in outreach • In LHM’s MISSION U field of work
The Process • Story • Telling • Story telling in various settings establishes the values and identity of the congregations. • It occurs both from the pulpit and also in other settings. • It’s the story of God’s story in our lives
The Process • Community Connection
The Process • Community-focused • “The pastors of these [exemplary] churches felt a strong sense of mission toward their local communities. They wanted to be the shepherd to those outside of their walls as much as to those in the pews.”
The Process • The people were organized not to serve themselves but see themselves in service and in mission to their communities.
The Process • These churches were excited to see new people, and they made sure to let those people feel valued. (They made sure to do this in a non-intrusive way.)
The Process • These churches got to know their communities needs and people through relationships and surveys.
Session 3: Recommendations • Exemplary churches put their values into action and connected to the community in meaningful ways.
Practical Steps Phase 1 Begins Sept 2013
Practical Steps • Consistent Follow-up
The Plan • Preaching • Sermon Series • Lectionary or free texts • Include mission focus when in the text
The Plan • Prayer • Corporate and Individual prayers • (Prayer for people to get into heaven) • Prayer vigil
The Plan • Story Telling • In worship • In Bible Class • Individually • Congregational ownership What goal can we set for story telling?
The Plan • Training Goal: Every circuit have a MISSION U or other training event Sept. or Oct.
Practical Steps Phase 2 Begins Jan 2014
The Plan • Community-focused • Learn about community • Start at least one ministry that serves a need
The Plan • Community-focused • Begin to implement social media outreach • Will be essential for Phase 3
Practical Steps Phase 3 Begins Mar 2015
The Plan • LHM has history and existing media • Living for Tomorrow • Parish Media Teams • Lutheran Hour • TV specials
The Plan • Nature changes quickly • Surely will include social/digital media • Referrals will go to qualified congregations
The promise Will you partner with us? Pray Participate
Our Plan… • Congregational covenant approved by appropriate body • Report congregational participation to the district by June 15
Zechariah 12:6 “On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves.” • firepot
Zechariah 12:6 • firepot “a in a woodpile . .. “