Mission Mission Developer Developer TrainingTrainingPart IIPart II

February – 2010February – 2010

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

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEYPRAYER 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 MISSION DEVELOPER ISSUES FIRST SIX MONTHSFIRST 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 MONTHSFIRST SIX MONTHS“WHERE AM I?”“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 MONTHSFIRST SIX MONTHS“Why did I agree to this?”“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 MONTHSFIRST SIX MONTHSWhat Am I Going to Do?What 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 MONTHSFIRST SIX MONTHS“How to get all this done?”“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 PlanningMinistry Planning“Lutheran Key”“Lutheran Key”

Three critical areas for the first 6-12 months of ministry:

1. Mission Identity2. Common Purpose3. Shared Vision

Rouse/Van Gelder, “A Field Guide for the Missional Congregation”

Missional IdentityMissional IdentityTwin focus:1. 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.

2. Sociological: Is the area currently underserved with ministry (mainline or other) presence? Is there a significant unchurched presence? What is the demographic profile?

Common PurposeCommon PurposeWhat 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/PurposeMission/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/PurposeMission/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 VisionShared VisionWhat 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 ProfileNew Ministry ProfileAsks 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 Developing A Bi/Trifocal Vision for Ministryfor 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 Developing a Bi/Trifocal Vision for Ministryfor 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 Ministry Plan for First Six MonthsMonths

• 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-Ministry Plan for Months 6-1212

• 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 QUESTIONSREFLECTION 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?