God s Directing Light Lutheran Church Canada s Strategic Plan in the Light of God s Word Introduction
Bible study author and/or team leader: Study 1 Study 2 Study 3 Study 4 Study 5 Study 6 Study 7 Study 7 Rev. James Avery, associate pastor, Bethel Lutheran Church, Sherwood Park, Alberta Gary Brucker, director of Family Ministries, First Lutheran Church, Kelowna, B.C. Deacon Daryl Becker, ABC District Office Rev. William Ney, pastor/pilot, Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots, Edmonton, Alberta Rev. Ken Maher, pastor, Christ our Hope Lutheran Church, Collingwood, Ontario Rev. Wayne Olsen, pastor, La Ronge Lutheran Fellowship, La Ronge, Saskatchewan Rev. Dr. Dieter Kays, emeritus (former president and CEO, FaithLife Financial) Kitchener, Ontario Rev. Phillip Washeim, pastor, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Victoria, B.C.
Impacting the Mission and Ministry of every congregation and every member Lutheran Church Canada s Handbook calls for the president to gather representatives from across the Synod to meet with the Board of Directors every three years for a planning conference. During this conference the participants study God s Word; review the environment in which LCC carries on its ministry; hear reports from the field; analyze data collected from various sources and seek God s wisdom in providing direction. Participants agreed upon eight directions and strategies which they believed were most pressing for Lutheran Church Canada to address. This series of Bible studies based on the eight strategic directions will provide a way to see how these directions can impact the mission and ministry of every congregation and every member. Gratitude and Joy We are grateful to our Lord God for this series of Bible studies, which focus on His Word, the light beam and guide helping us carry out our mission and ministry related to Lutheran Church Canada s Strategic Directions. We thank the pastors who prepared the Bible studies, and those who revised them for use in the church. Keeping before us LCC s triennial theme in His Light we see light, we continue asking the Lord to provide us His Holy Spirit and wisdom to do His work. Encouragement 1. We encourage pastors, congregations, schools, and other organizations to use this resource, individually and in groups. 2. Each major theme of the Bible study may be studied in one to five sessions and each includes one or two practical exercises or activities. 3. An important aspect of this series is allowing participants to explore God s Word, share what it says and apply it in life and witness. 4. It is important to give participants opportunity to share a their experience with the practical outcomes and their engagement in activities related to each theme. For example, based on the first theme, participants may organize and carry on special community outreach activities, giving witness to their faith active in love for others. 5. Encouragement and opportunity for prayers on behalf of our church and mission may be given to participants. In scheduling the length of the Bible study time, be sure to include time for prayers of thanksgiving, praise and petitions. 6. Pastors may want to use the series as Bible study in the worship service.
Abiding in the Word As an introduction to the series, participants may want to examine and discuss the following: 1. LCC s convention theme and Bible study based on Psalm 36:9: In Your Light we see light. Psalm 39.6. (See 2011 Convention Proceedings) 2. Read Martin Luther on the Sola Scriptura. He left a legacy in regards to using Scripture in the home, church, school and world. 3. Psalm 119:105. The entire Psalm is focused on God s Word. 4. Psalm 19:7-14. 5. Isaiah 55:11. 6. Colossians 3:16 7. Acts 2:42 8. Matthew 7 (the house built on the rock) Resources 1. LCC Strategic Directions may be found at http://lutheranchurch.ca/resources/lcc_strategic_2009. pdf 2. LCC s website, www.lutheranchurch.ca, provides links to publications, districts and other organizations which contain important resources and information on the ministry and mission at home and abroad. These could be shared along with the Strategic Directions Bible study series. 3. LCC missions as well as the districts mission executives would be pleased to provide updated information on our ongoing mission work. 4. A series of articles on the Values of Lutheran Church Canada as published in the Strategic Plan are available online at www.canadianlutheran.ca or in printed copies of The Canadian Lutheran published in 2011. May our gracious Lord bless your study of His Word. Rev. Leonardo Neitzel Assistant to the president for Mission and Social Ministry Services, Lutheran Church Canada
LCC Strategic Plan November 5, 2009 Our Mission The mission of Lutheran Church-Canada is to organize, equip and motivate its members to confess, proclaim and give witness to the saving work of Jesus Christ, to the glory of God! In faith, as Christ s ambassadors Our Values We value grace as an undeserved gift from God in our relationships in our witness We value worship receiving the means of grace in the community of faith and personally through our vocations We value unity in our confession of faith support and co-operation sharing resources We value people seeking and saving the lost nurturing, catechizing, and encouraging believers recognizing and using the gifts and talents God gives honouring life at all stages We value faithfulness integrity excellence accountability Our Vision By God s grace we will more effectively proclaim the Triune God, that believers may grow in their faith and unbelievers be brought into the body of Christ.
Strategic Directions 1. To cultivate loving healthy growing congregations 1.1 Develop new models for congregations in changing environments e.g. urban, rural, multi cultural, etc. 1.2 Train leaders and develop congregational resources for a ministry of reconciliation. 1.3 Develop resources to encourage multi-cultural, intergenerational, gender-sensitive communities of faith (Galatians 3:28). 1.4 Encourage relationship-building that strengthens the local body of Christ. 1.5 Encourage ongoing care for church workers and their families 2. Grow the resources available for the mission of the Church 2.1 Encourage a proper understanding of Gospel motivation for stewardship 2.2 Assist God s people to use their God-given gifts, abilities and talents. e.g. assessment tools, data base, volunteer coordination. 2.3 Encourage the use of technology to facilitate better stewardship e.g. PAC and direct deposit offerings, online giving. 2.4 Encourage coordination of resources to achieve economies of scale. eg joint purchasing, common utilization etc. 2.5 Encourage the development of coordinated ongoing approaches to deferred giving by God s people 3. Develop innovative missions and promote intercultural congregations 3.1 Encourage circuits to develop resources to minister to immigrant/aboriginal groups 3.2 Provide opportunities for God s people to experience special ministries through outreach and servant events 3.3 Encourage each circuit to consider planting at least one new mission in next the three years. 3.4 Continue our international outreach ministries 4. Strengthen our Lutheran education and teaching 4.1 Provide synod-wide guidance and support for higher education institutions(including Pastors with Alternate Training program) 4.2 Provide synod-wide guidance and support for schools 4.3 Ensure the faithful articulation of our confession of faith in a rapidly changing world 5. Ensure the faithful articulation of our confession of faith in a rapidly changing world 5.1 Communicate the Gospel to the public-at-large 5.2 Communicate our position on relevant current social issues to members and to the public-atlarge (e.g. hot button issues). 5.3 Utilize the Internet and technology to create discussion and dialogue on theological topics of interest. 5.4 Develop Bible studies that are relevant to the Canadian context and enhance biblical literacy.
6. Enhance and strengthen Board governance processes 6.1 Further enhance and clarify good governance practices and systems within our Synodical structure. 6.2 Educate Board members on appropriate governance processes. 6.3 Enhance and encourage good governance in all church related boards and church leadership positions. 6.4 Encourage succession planning 7. Enhance communication within the Church and with the public 7.1 Enhance and coordinate resources for public relations and communication activities at both national and regional levels. 7.2 Enhance and coordinate resources that advance the effective utilization of data management and technology in communication 8. Engage children, youth, and young adults with intentional mission and ministry 8.1 Encourage and equip parents for the role of primary faith influence 8.2 Facilitate the interchange of ideas and programs that strengthen connections of children, youth, young adults, and parents with the congregation 8.3 Raise awareness of factors and develop strategies to reduce post-confirmation drop-out 8.4 Facilitate the interchange of ideas and programs that engage non-churched children, youth and young adults and their families.