Stages of Development: Infancy

What is God’s dream?

During the first months at a new ministry site, a mission developer will devote significant time developing relationships that will assess community assets and needs, getting to know those who may serve and be served by this ministry, and listening to the voice of God.

Those first months are a time of discernment. What is God’s dream for this community? What is God already doing here? How is God working through other organizations and churches? Who are the people who already see and acknowledge the hand of God? What role might this new ministry play in implementing God’s dream?

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

	Tim Singleton, Peyton, Colorado, would like Mission Partners to accompany mission congregations with the sense that “we succeed or fail together.” Read more.
	“That is huge, to be prayed for like this!” said Lynda Ernst, mission developer since January 2006 in Collierville, Tennessee. I'm moved to tears whenever I think about it.” Read more.
	Rev. Timothy Smith, North Liberty, Iowa, says, “We are not there to take members away from other congregations; we want to reach those who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.” Read more.
	Glory Lutheran Church, a Mandarin Chinese ministry recently developed by Pastor Newman Chiu, is the second mission congregation to take up residence at First Lutheran Church, Torrance, California. Read more.
	Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber is mission developer at House for All Sinners and Saints, an emergent ministry in Denver. “We chant the Psalm, and I preach grace,” she said, “but we look different because we are contextual to our social situation.” Read more.
	One-In-Christ Pan-African Worshiping Community, Telford, Pennsylvania, was formed in June 2005 primarily as an outreach to Sudanese immigrants. It now includes individuals from seven African nations, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Australia, and the United States. Read more.
	Pastor Glenn Zimbelman is mission developer of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, North Ridgeville, Ohio. “It is necessary for all of us to be flexible. Mission congregations exist to bring non-churched people to God and require alternative ways of doing ministry.” Read more.
	Pastor Edwin Fernando Arumanayagam (far left in photo), developer for Nava Jeevan in Princeton, New Jersey, says the congregation’s name means “new life” in Sanskrit. It is a name of hope that can remind Indian immigrants of the new lives of equality that are theirs in Christ . . .” Read more.
	Advice to those wanting to serve as Mission Partners from mission developer Nik Schillack, pastor at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Lapeer, Michigan: “Ask how you can help and be ready for bold responses.” Read more.

YOU CAN HELP!

Your help is needed to encourage and support new congregational development:

Pray regularly for the new congregation and its developer.

Ask the mission developer how you might help. (Ask us for contact information.)

Worship with the members of new ministries.

Share the Good News of Jesus Christ with friends, relatives, and strangers—anywhere, anytime, and any place.

Lead Bible studies.

Teach/mentor incoming members on various aspects of discipleship.

Canvass the partner’s neighborhood.

Give generously to regular ELCA User Mission support and directly to a mission congregation as a Mission Partner.

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.”