Congregation Leaders Workshop Mission/Evangelism Committee Members Part 2

East District Outreach-Related Comments from LCC Restructuring Survey We need to explore how we might better connect with our communities in which we live and communicate the Gospel, even while the people we desire to reach seem to be less aware of even basic Biblical truth.

East District Outreach-Related Comments from LCC Restructuring Survey We should be very active in evangelism and mission and find ways to reach out to our communities and so that we make a difference in the places we are located. A question we should ask is what difference does this congregation/church make in this community. If we were to disappear tomorrow would anyone notice, would it effect the community in any way?

East District Outreach-Related Comments from LCC Restructuring Survey LCC should focus on ecclesiastical supervision of doctrine and practice so that individual pastors can fulfill their office, and congregations and members can hear the Gospel and receive the Sacrament every Sunday, and armed with strong Catechesis go into the world to spread the Good News to those people that God places in their lives in their various vocations.

East District Outreach-Related Comments from LCC Restructuring Survey BC mission boat is but one example - we should have swat teams of energetic enthusiastic people going from church to church infusing the vibrancy into stagnant congregations

East District Outreach-Related Comments from LCC Restructuring Survey The church will grow by running mission programs that… establish and maintain relationships leading to sharing our faith one-on-one. Many of these types of programs are grass roots level (locally established) and… require the support and removal of… "red tape" or lack of interest from Synod or District…. The Pastor leaders have to think outside the non-conventional box and learn to trust laity not judging for themselves whether they think this can work--this is a great way to destroy… the enthusiasm of laity who are willing and ready but can't do it by themselves.

Pastors need to give confidence to their parishioners. East District Outreach-Related Comments from LCC Restructuring Survey Pastors need to give confidence to their parishioners. How can/does your pastor do this?

East District Outreach-Related Comments from LCC Restructuring Survey Change in approach may be beneficial -- but don't sacrifice doctrine or practice because of a "hot trend for this year". Perhaps if more training of congregational members on HOW to live out their faith would be a great help -- many just don't know or are not encouraged in that path.

East District Outreach-Related Comments from LCC Restructuring Survey Most people spell love "T-I-M-E." You want to show love to people? Have influence in their lives? Make time for them. And, let's be done with the fallacy that this is "the pastor's job." It's not. It's OUR job. WE need to be shaking hands, asking people questions, and stopping to LISTEN to them. I mean REALLY listen. Make the time to hear their heartbreak, comfort through their tears, help them in their need…. We don't have to be theologians or biblical scholars to do this. We just have to demonstrate love (agape) to them.

East District Outreach-Related Comments from LCC Restructuring Survey I think it's more important to communicate the joy and peace of knowing Christ followed by the desire to pass on the riches of His relationship with us to others. When we are happy about what Christ does in our lives then we'll want to share that heart and life knowledge.