Building an Outreach Team For your School Rev. dr. Jeffrey Skopak Building an Outreach Team For your School

In a review of more than 15 School Outreach plans from across the Synod a striking similarity came into clear focus. Each School Outreach plan follows a very similar order: 1-Identification of the “Un- Churched” student and family 2-Invitation of the “Un- Churched” student and family to Worship and an Adult Instruction Class

Each Church/School Plan had a slightly different make up of their “Outreach Team,” but the goals of the Team were the same! Invite the “Un-Churched” to Worship and an Adult membership class. Before I get myself tossed out of Synod let me state this first: There is NOTHING wrong with these goals…

The problem is that we make the “Goals” the process for the Outreach Team!

The School Outreach Team Plan Looks Something like this: Teacher/Administrator/Pastor/Church Member(s) meet Review the School Roll Identity the Un-Churched Child(ren) Send a letter of invitation to Adult Class/Worship Maybe follow up with a Phone Call (Lament when they do not show up)

The Problem with this approach is that we have not invested anything into the spiritual relationship with this child (and Family) beyond the urgency of an invitation. Yes, the child will be spiritually nurtured (and equipped) in the classroom, but we have not impacted the Child (and Family) beyond those bounds.

But what if the goal was the process But what if the goal was the process?…in other words: What if we weren’t so worried about the end goal of worship and an adult class but rather building a relationship founded and grounded on our faith in Jesus Christ! If this becomes our “new goal” then the School Outreach Team HAS TO GROW!

“C” IS FOR CULTURE… There are various “cultures” found in the Lutheran Parochial School: The Church and School Various Families/Students that are “churched” elsewhere Families from the Church in the School Those who claim church affiliation but are nominally or not involved in any church The “Un-Churched”

The Focus: The “Un Churched” Question: What culture do they bring with them into the church/school culture? Question: Why did they choose our school? Reputation Academics Teachers Environment morals/churchly atmosphere Friend/Family in School Last resort?

Question: What is the culture at home? Mom? Dad? Siblings? Step-Parents? Divorce? Raise by Grand-Parents? Economic Reality/Spiritual Reality Environmental Factors

Question: How does culture challenge/affect the school culture? The child’s response to the church/school environment The teacher’s ability to assist the child in the walk of faith The child’s interaction with other students

The Culture Team… Discerning and understanding the culture of the Un-Churched student and family is critical. The first team needs to consist of the following: Admissions Counselor (Why they chose our school) Classroom Teacher (What is the home life) Principal (How does this culture challenge the school)

By better understanding the culture of the child/family the Culture Team can better assess the needs of the child and family: Spiritual Needs Family Needs Physical Needs Emotional and Relational Needs

“C” is for Care… In learning/identifying the Un-Churched culture the church/school ministry can better discern what and how to best provide CARE for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the whole family Once the needs of the family are discerned by the “Culture Team”, those needs are then shared with the “Community Care Team.”

So what makes up a Community Care Team? Prayer Partner: Un-Churched Child/Family given to a congregational member who will regularly pray for them Pastor: The needs of the Un-Churched Child/Family are shared with the pastor so that he can better serve the child(ren) and family Community Care Team Member: Member(s) of the congregation who have a heart for the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the community

The Community Care Team at Work…. The CCT reviews all of the assessments received from the School. The critical work of the CCT is to match the needs of the Un- Churched with the talents, abilities, and blessings of the congregational community.

A Calendar of Blessings… Once the CCT understands the needs as well as the abilities, passions, and gifts of the Church/School Community, it can then create opportunities of ministry and service to the community - particularly the Un-Churched children and families in the school

This is contrary to how most churches approach scheduling and programming. Instead of crafting ministry programs for the church community, we focus on serving the needs of those who do not yet have a relationship with Jesus who are in our midst

What Does a Calendar of Blessings look like? Speakers or Presenters on specific needs/issues (Addressing Parental challenges or family emotional needs) Physical blessing opportunities - health clinic, give-away days (shoes, clothing, uniforms, etc…) Celebration Events (Community Dinner, Fun Fair for the Family, etc…) Be Creative!

Here is the Key: The Church/School Ministry meets the actual needs of the Un-Churched child and family BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE DO AND WHO WE ARE!

“C” is for Connection The Calendar of Blessings is the vehicle that creates space where connections between the Church community and the Un-Churched children and their families can occur. The calendar is shared with the “whole” school community - website, Facebook page, and school newsletter. Reminder cards are sent home with children leading up to the events as well.

Communicating Connection… The Un-Churched family receives the Calendar of Blessing along with a hand-written note from the pastor Prior to each connecting opportunity a Community Care Team member calls the family to personally invite them to participate An invitation that is signed by a CCT member is sent the week prior to the event serving as a reminder card At the event the CCT members seek out the Un- Churched school families to welcome them

Further Connections… Prayer Partners send monthly post cards to their School family inviting them to share prayer needs The Pastor/DCE/Staff seeks out opportunities to make themselves known to the Un-Churched Family (This can be as simple as car line, sporting events, etc…) The Goal is Simple: Building relationships with the Un-Churched School Families so that spiritual connections can be made!

“C” is for Community So we finally arrive at the “bridge” between school enrollment and potential life in the church. As Lutheran Christians we have a deep and profound understanding of the need for God’s Word and Sacraments in our life. We know that our life of faith is nurtured and supported through Confession and Absolution, Hearing the Word of God proclaimed, and the Body of Blood of Christ in, with, and under the bread and wine. These spiritual gifts are found in the COMMUNITY of the CHURCH

Unless we have a connection with the Un-Churched family that is based on an understanding of care for the family, why would they want to be in community with us? So how do we engage the Un-Churched family that they might join us in community???

The Invitation into “community” does not begin with an adult class or a blanket invitation to worship. We need to be sensitive to the fact that things like: Bible study, worship, communion, and fellowship hour are ALIEN to the Un-Churched school family The Invitation into “community” needs to be short-term, quick hitting, impactful moments of bringing the “churched” and “un-churched” side by side

What type of community-building events can the church offer? Baptism 101 (an evening session on why Baptism is so important in our faith walk) A Christmas Primer (an evening session on why we celebrate Christmas) An Easter Invitation (a Community Easter Egg Hunt featuring a sharing of the Resurrection Story)

So how are people invited to these community gatherings? Each Community gathering has one simple goal: Share why our faith in Jesus Christ is so precious and important So how are people invited to these community gatherings? It’s all about the TEAMS! Principal and Teacher Pastor and DCE (and church staff) Community Care Team Prayer Partner

Invitation into community will take all the team members as well as all the available resources of communication at the disposal of the church/school community! Personal Phone Call or conversation Email Hand-written note/post-card The Un-Churched person needs to know that they are wanted and appreciated in the community. If you simply rely on a newsletter, Facebook post, and website they are not going to show up…it’s that simple!

“C” is for commitment to christ Finally, we have arrived at where most School Outreach Team Plans begin: The Invitation to deepen their new and growing relationship with Jesus! When an Un-Churched school family begins to participate in the community of the church the Outreach Team needs to grow once more: The Shepherding Family

The Shepherding family is identified by the pastor and Community Care Team to walk beside the emerging churched family to aide and assist them on their journey towards the cross. The Shepherding family: Communicates Regularly with the emerging churched family Invites them to upcoming events, worship opportunities, and assists them in Bible Study Participation Invites them into their small group ministry And, if the emerging churched family wants to grow and engage in the Adult Class, will attend that class with them.

The journey to a Commitment to Christ is never, ever made alone - The Shepherding Family builds a lasting bond with the emerging Church family. The Shepherding family: Encourages Celebrates Guides Directs Blesses Lives the Heart of Jesus!

A Final Glance at the team… The Outreach Team is truly a “Team.” It cannot be the effort of one or two individuals or simply driven by the Principal and Pastor. The Outreach Team MUST be the heartbeat of the church/school community. So Let’s review: Who is on the Team? Admissions Counselor Classroom Teacher Principal Prayer Partner Pastor, DCE, Church Staff Member Community Care Team Shepherding Family

Grace Lutheran Church and School Questions??? My Contact Information: Rev. Dr. Jeffrey E. Skopak Grace Lutheran Church and School 12200 McCormick Road Jacksonville, FL 32225 pastor_skopak@gracelutheraneagles.org 904-928-9136