Stewardship and Mission March 10, 2012 Rev. Hector Garfias, Associate to the Bishop and Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) and Steven Homberg, Associate to the Bishop and Stewardship Specialist
Devotions Romans 12: 1-2, 9-18
Covenantal Relationships God through Baptism Welcoming New Members First Article of Apostles Creed Constitution Ark of the Covenant
God through Baptism Affirmation of Baptism - Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism? I do, and I ask God to help and guide me. People of God, do you promise to support and pray for one another in your life in Christ? We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
God through Baptism Welcoming New Members In baptism, we are welcomed into the body of Christ and sent to share in the mission of God. We are called to: live among God s faithful people hear the word of God share in the Lord s Supper proclaim the good news of God in Christ serve all people strive for justice and peace
God through Baptism Welcoming New Members Sisters and brothers in Christ, do you intend to continue in the covenant of your baptism among God s people in this place? I do, and I ask God to help and guide me. People of God, do you promise to support and pray for these new members in their life in Christ? We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
First Article of Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. What does this mean? I believe that God has created me together with all that exists. God has given me and still preserves my body and soul... God daily and abundantly provides shoes, clothing, food, drink, house,... money, property, spouse, children along with all the necessities and nourishment for this body and life.
ELCA Congregation Constitution *C4.02. To participate in God s mission, this congregation shall: a. Worship God in proclamation of the Word and administration of the sacraments... b. Proclaim God s saving Gospel... c. Carry out Christ s Great Commission... d. Serve in response to God s love... e. Nurture its members in the Word of God... f. Manifest unity by living together in the love of Christ...
ELCA Congregation Constitution *C6.01. This congregation shall be an interdependent part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) or its successor, and the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, ELCA. This congregation is subject to the discipline of the ELCA. *C6.02. This congregation accepts the Confession of Faith and agrees to the Purposes of the ELCA and shall act in accordance with them. *C6.03. This congregation acknowledges its relationship with the ELCA in which: a. This congregation agrees to be responsible for its life as a Christian Community. b. This congregation pledges its financial support and participation in the life and ministries of the ELCA.
Claimed Gathered Sent Claimed - God through Baptism Gathered Community Congregation Give, Share, Participate Pray for your pastor and leaders Pray for each other Is the Synod and the ELCA
Claimed Gathered Sent Gathered Community Synod Give, Share, Participate Resources received, distributed, used Pray for the bishop Pray for other congregations, synods, and the ELCA ELCA Give, Share, Participate Resources received, distributed, used Pray for the presiding bishop Pray for other denominations, the world and Christian unity
Claimed Gathered Sent Sent Living into covenants and God s Mission What are we called to do between Sundays? Why do we return each week? What do we bring back with us?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arxflk_sd68
Mission How to participate in mission? Congregational Discernment A journey What is the process? Congregational Vision Well-formed outcome
Well-Formed Outcome Fruitfulness: o Growth How is your congregation growing? o Generosity How do you measure the relationship between responsibility and generosity? o Courage How does your congregation demonstrate the courage to release attachments and risk adventure? o Collaboration Who are your partners in extending the reach of your mission? o Inclusivity Does the age, gender, racial, and cultural profile of your congregation MATCH that of your mission field? o Justice How are you responding to the structures of sin that constrain dignity, freedom, and authenticity? o Adaptability Is your congregation adapting and responding to changes in the mission field? o Reproduction Is your congregation preparing to give birth to new witnessing communities?
Well-Formed Outcome
Mission How to participate in mission? Congregational Discernment A journey What is the process? Congregational Vision Well-formed outcome Mission planner
Part 1: Know Your Mission Field Part 2: Support and Financial Resources Part 3: Expenses Part 4: Partnerships Part 5: Your Outreach Plan Connecting with the Field
Mission How to participate in mission? Congregational Discernment A journey What is the process? Congregational Vision Well-formed outcome Mission planner Partnerships MCS Congregations Full-communion partner congregations Other community congregations Lutheran Social Service of Illinois (LSSI)
Mission 20
Mission Pregnant Mission Birthing new worshipping communities What does this mean? What does this look like? How do we do it?
I sometimes imagine a conversation with Jesus that goes like this: Jesus: Dave, welcome to heaven. Dave: Wow, this is awesome. Jesus: Yeah, I told you it would be. How many people did you bring with you? Dave: Well, there are all those people who come to Community. Jesus: Great. But what about the people that never came to Community? Dave: I invited them, but they just wouldn t come to church with me. Jesus: I invited you to join me in heaven Dave: (silence) Jesus: but for that to happen, I had to go to you. Dave: More silence From Exponential by Dave Ferguson and Jon Ferguson 22
Discipleship Thanks be to God for you Faith Practices
Discipleship Thanks be to God for you Faith Practices Whole-life stewardship
Discipleship Thanks be to God for you Faith Practices Whole-life stewardship Year-round stewardship
Stewardship Resources What are they? How will they help?
Stewardship Resources