Stages of Development: First worship service and beyond

Won’t you get involved? Read the stories of our mission developers and let us know how you will help.

	“God is doing some great things in and through GPS Faith Community!” says developer Rob James. “As more and more relationships are built, we are being sent out into the community to do more in the name of Jesus Christ.” Read more.
	Pastor Mikki Gay, developer of Breath of Life, advises, “Offer your hearts to the mission, and whatever else is needed will follow.” Read more.
	“The Dallas Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Church reaches out to Oromo immigrants in their language and culture and equips them for evangelism with discipleship training and solidarity,” says lay mission developer Tsena Dinssa. Three generations of one family came to the United States and now worship at the Dallas Oromo church: grandmother Qannatu, father Tadassa, and daughter Fennetti. Read more.
	“Unchurched people often feel that the church doesn’t care for them or their work, says Pastor Grant Stevensen. “Spirit of Truth (St. Paul, Minnesota) is here to change that.” Read more.
	Two new ministries gather at the Elizabeth Lutheran Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey: Santa Isabel which reaches out to people from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, and Pilgrim Journey that is composed of Portuguese speaking West Africans. Read more.
	Legend says the criminal Dysmas was crucified with Jesus, who promised him paradise. Those who worship at The Community of St. Dysmas continue to be blessed by Jesus today. Read more.
	Linda Webster, pastor of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, says, “God is good all the time. All the time God is good!” Read more.

YOU CAN HELP!

As a new mission congregation begins to hold worship services, you might:

Consider the assets your congregation has that might be useful.

Contribute hymnals or Bibles in the appropriate language.

Add the mission start to your music and liturgy license.

Encourage friends and members of your congregation to worship with the new ministry and get acquainted.

Supply liturgical furnishings, educational supplies, microphones, musicians, or choirs.

Provide a space (or $$$ for renting a location) for worship and meetings.

Deliver flowers for the worship service.

Join the congregation for service projects.

Offer your talents.

Encourage others to get involved.

Four Keys of Support
(as shared by a former developer)

Encouragement. “Encouragement is the first kind of support needed. For many people, mission development is an incredibly isolating experience. Initially, there is no building; there is no congregation. For a long period of time you feel like you are just hung out there to dry. You need to hear from people that they care about you and are praying for you.”

Money. “Early on and even through organization, the developing ministry needs money for mass marketing. There is a huge challenge to getting the word out en masse. It’s good to send out a major mailing before going door to door – sort of like John the Baptist preparing the way. Depending upon the size of the community and the quality of the product, that might be $5-10,000. Then there’s PA equipment for projecting the voice . . . photocopiers for doing in-house print pieces, etc.”

Referrals. “Other local congregations can take responsibility for telling the mission congregation’s story. They became advocates within their network of contacts.”

Solicitation of Volunteers. Local congregations can refer volunteers . . . to help with Bible school . . . to provide special music . . . to just occasionally be in worship with the new start. And, if you have some really daring members, send them over to make door-to-door calls with the developer or members. The mission developer will provide training. It will be a significant gift . . . as well as provide training that might be useful in your own context.”