Leadership for Developing Congregations Mission Developer’s Training ELCA

Marked with the cross of Christ forever we are: ClaimedGatheredSentBaptismCommunionMission For the sake of the world (God’s Reign in the world). “I am the vine and you are the branches” John 15

It’s all about God This is God’s doing The kingdom is not just a hope but a promise In Jesus God has sealed the deal

As the world changes, the constant of God’s purpose remains God’s work to bring about the Reign Reign of God Church called to participate in God’s work The Changing World Witness and engagement Church

It’s all about you ( As long you as you are up to the same thing as God is up to) God invites us to participate God uses people Your call is to carry out your role in God’s purpose Your calling is more than a job – it is a way of life Leadership is essential

In Diads (Groups of 2) Discuss your sense of God’s call in your life and how that relates to your current call to lead the development of a new congregation. Close the time with prayer for each other.

Emerging Learnings for the Field Ministry focused on the God’s Reign not the institution Organic and contextual churches not cloned models being built Leaders that raise up and multiply leaders not followers Congregations as training centers for mission rather than service centers Groups/congregations that reproduce more groups and congregations A heart for conversion and transformation not just members to notch our belts

The New Church Life/ministry as witness and “parable of the kingdom”

The Changing Church “Communities of care” “Missionaries of grace” Dr. Alicia Vargas Laity infiltrate through vocation

Three Keys to Effective and Healthy Ministry (From an evangelism study of the ELCA) Leadership – a culture of team leadership where clergy and laity work together as a team. Leaders help congregations develop the following: Purpose – a clear sense by the congregation of what God is calling them to do Purpose – a clear sense by the congregation of what God is calling them to do Willingness to change – a spirit of openness that is willing to initiate change to be faithful and effective Willingness to change – a spirit of openness that is willing to initiate change to be faithful and effective

RENEWAL OF EXISTING MEMBERS MAKING NEW DISCIPLES HEALTHY LEADERS AND DISCIPLES Renewal/Discipleship development (aided by coaching) Disciple-making processes (aided by coaching) (Entry Point) EVANGELICAL – LEADERSHIP Multiplication Of leaders Multiplication Of leaders

Individual/Leader Leadership Team Congregation World Action Plans A Leadership Process for Transformational Mission Attitude of spiritual willingness to change ( Both needed ) Clarity of purpose/vision The key is that the DNA for the next level of leaders Is in the prior one! Coaching can help keep each Level of the process focused On the right things. New leaders called & challenged to more responsibility “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done…” (Transformation) facilitate

Purpose & Guiding Principles Starting Out on the Right Foot

Bible Study: Acts 2, 10 & 16 What is God doing in the text? What are the disciples doing in the text? Lessons: What is God saying to the WHOLE Church in this text? What is God saying to the WHOLE Church in this text? What is God saying to YOU personally in this text? What is God saying to YOU personally in this text?

Purpose God’s purpose for your ministry The lens for everything you do – keeps team and/or congregation focused Helps determine course of action (reference point for decision making) Involve a lot of people as you work toward this for the congregation Use the purpose to identify the church and include in worship, flyers, bulletins, letters, signs, etc.

Mission and Purpose Based on this text complete the following phrases: Group: God’s purpose for the church is _________. Group: God’s purpose for the church is _________. Individually: My purpose in the new ministry to which I am called is _________. Individually: My purpose in the new ministry to which I am called is _________.

Guiding Principles Values that are in the vision that we can begin to practice now – may conflict with present behaviors. These are embodied in our decisions – provide guidance to help achieve the purpose. In the present we need accountability to help us stay the course.

Guiding Principles: Examples Examples Church at the Center, Seattle: “Everything accessible to the unchurched…” Church at the Center, Seattle: “Everything accessible to the unchurched…” Bethel, Palatine, IL: “We are God’s hands and voice in the world.” Bethel, Palatine, IL: “We are God’s hands and voice in the world.” Living Lord, Bartlett, IL: As disciples of Jesus, we grow to serve and we serve to grow” Living Lord, Bartlett, IL: As disciples of Jesus, we grow to serve and we serve to grow”

Some Examples Jesus is Lord. Everyone is welcome. Love changes people. Everybody has something to offer. The world needs what we’ve got. Jesus is Lord and Savior. Deepening our faith strengthens our discipleship. Everyone is a minister. God sends us as gifts to the world. We love to tell the story. We invite all to join us in God’s work.

Guiding Principles of the Early Church? 1. Look at Acts 2, 10 and Group: List the key principles at work in making the key decisions in your chapter. Narrow the list down to the top 5 guiding principles of the disciples that advance their work for God?

Guiding Principles: Your Life Individually: start a list of the 5 principles that you will have to guide your ministry as you begin. Group: Share with each other.

Some other places to look for more on guiding principles: Read the scriptures and ask, “What is most important to God’s people in this text?” Hope Lutheran Church, W. Des Moines, IA King of Kings LC, Michigan Church at the Center, Seattle, WA Kelly Fryer’s book: Reclaiming the “L” Word (available from Augsburg Fortress) Dave Daubert: “Living Lutheran”, Augsburg F.

Working with Purpose and Guiding Principles back Home Start with Bible study and prayer. Get as many people in the congregation involved as possible Look at Biblical behaviors. The Bible study from Acts 2, 10, and 16 is one helpful way. Define the values at work, especially using the “Lessons for the Church” section Get groups to draft ideas for guiding principles at the retreat. Use these for input to the leadership as they write. Have a leadership team draft statements Facilitate conversation and feedback throughout the congregation Adopt Guiding Principles at congregational meeting