Mission Founders Models

A. Direct Sponsorship – In this model, the Mission Founder is involved in most aspects of initial planning as well as day-to-day implementation. The sponsor may be a part of the Churches Starting Churches movement.

You might birth a satellite congregation in an under-served neighboring congregation or a second campus of your own congregation in a different part of town, offering prayer, financial support, a core group of leaders, staff, space, and a vision for evangelizing in that community.

The financial commitment? That varies. Some congregations find creative ways to utilize their current staff and lay volunteers to start a new ministry without a huge outlay of funds. Some partner with several neighboring congregations. Some partner with their entire cluster.

To learn about local opportunities or to share your ideas, please contact your Director for Evangelical Mission.




B. Indirect Support – Congregations may financially support a new ministry—with little or no direct hands-on involvement—by providing all or a portion of the funds needed for a mission developers’ compensation package at a new ministry site, nearby or across the country.

The financial commitment will vary. The average compensation package is $65,000 each year, dependent upon the area of the country and the experience of the mission developer. Your cost will depend upon your financial commitment and the number of partners sharing the cost.

To learn about opportunities within your own synod, please contact your Director for Evangelical Mission.

To learn about opportunities across the ELCA, please contact ELCA Mission Founders/Director for Evangelical Mission.