Do-It-Yourself tools
Guide to One-to-One Conversation 
This tool provides basic background and techniques in conducting one-to-one relational meetings "a natural but uncommon conversation with someone you want to know better" whether they be from a congregation or community.
(Developed by: Rev. Sue Engh, ELCA Program Director for Congregation-based Organizing).
One-to-One Relational Meetings and Six Practical Applications How-to resource on conducting one-to-one relational meetings; provides six practical ways to use this technique as part of a congregation's practice of listening to neighbors and listening within the household of faith.
(Developed by: Rev. Sue Engh, ELCA Program Director for Congregation-based Organizing)
Beyond Our Doors This resource developed by the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin describes a simple process to begin the work of developing a congregational mission plan. Especially helpful are three Bible studies on
Who are We? Why Are We Here? and
Who Is Our Neighbor? Well-suited to congregations who are new to mission planning or those who are well-experienced in this regard and need to review their existing plan.
Manual for Congregational Mission Planning 2012: Discerning God's Call for Our Congregation A step-by-step process for congregations desiring to create or revise a ministry plan compiled by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod. Helpful resources include a congregational timeline and thought-provoking Bible studies that ground leaders in God’s mission in Christ. Useful for congregations who are either very new to the idea of mission planning or congregations who have considerable experience in mission planning. Leaders guide includes a good annotated list of
Resources to Go Deeper.
Discovering Approaches to Mission
A one-page worksheet that connects a congregation’s mission to context to create a vision and strategies for moving forward. Useful for congregations who have a well-developed understanding of their mission and experience in goal setting and implementing a mission strategy.
(Developed by Northwest Washington Synod.)
Research Strategies for Congregations: Tools for understanding the people in your church and community provides do-it-yourself research tools to assist you in "listening" to your congregation and community. This resource of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) when combined with the information available to congregations through ELCA's Research and Evaluation offers a wealth of data.
One Body Many Members: A Journey for Christians across Race, Culture and Class
One Body, Many Members is designed to equip congregations to reach out and fully welcome persons whose race, culture and class is different than their own. Three sections provide a wide variety of tools.
Front Porchin'
An evangelism resource designed to help readers discover God’s Story/My Story/Your Story and where they meet.
(Developed by: Rev. Harold Jacobsen, DEM, Northwest Pennslyvania Synod).
Building a Mission Table
A narrative step-by-step process for congregations seeking to develop a mission plan for their setting.
(Developed by: Rev. Harold Jacobsen, DEM, Northwest Pennslyvania Synod)
Worship and Mission study session
Worship and Mission study session explores the direct connection between worship and mission. It's goal is to help participants see worship as integral to God's own mission.
A Process for Discerning A Purpose Statement A Process for Discerning A Purpose Statement provides an outline rooted in prayer and Bible Study for helping a congregation to discover and put into words a purpose statement for participating in God's mission. (Developed and Adapted by the Eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota Synods.)
Congregation's Life Cycle
Every congregation has a life cycle
from the time of its birth until the present.
Congregation's Life Cycle is a self-assessment that helps congregations think about their place in the life cycle and invites reflection in identifying the challenges and opportunities for mission from that place. (Source: Eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota Synods)