1. Mission Developer Training Part II
February – 2010

2. FIRST SIX MONTH PLAN Gain 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

3. FIRST SIX MONTH PLAN Create Support Mechanisms: Regular time with DEM
Monthly reports to EOCM
Monthly coaching sessions
Develop prayer partners

4. PRAYER 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)

5. MISSION DEVELOPER ISSUES FIRST 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

6. FIRST SIX MONTHS “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

7. FIRST SIX MONTHS “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

8. FIRST SIX MONTHS 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”

9. FIRST SIX MONTHS “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

10. Ministry Planning “Lutheran Key”
Three critical areas for the first 6-12 months of ministry:
Mission Identity
Common Purpose
Shared Vision
Rouse/Van Gelder, “A Field Guide for the Missional Congregation”

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

12. Common Purpose
What 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

13. Mission/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”

14. Mission/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)

15. Shared Vision
What 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.

16. Great questions! How are these answered in your New Ministry Profile?
Asks 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?

17. Developing A Bi/Trifocal Vision for 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).

18. Developing a Bi/Trifocal Vision for 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.

19. Ministry Plan for First Six Months
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.

20. Ministry Plan for Months 6-12
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.

21. REFLECTION 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?