M2C Update     June 27, 2008 

Opening Words

It's hard to believe that June is just about over...July 4 will soon be here and that means we're going to be looking to all the fall activities in our congregations and the start up of some new ministries here in Texas.
 
We're in the process of considering another M2C Retreat in late April of 2009.  The input many of you provided through the "Feedback Survey" gives us some very good topics and possible speakers.
 
We are still in need of your "sharing" of mission planting stories or "best practices" or "I tried this but" or "Wow! This worked great."  This newsletter can serve as a "network" of ideas and a way of letting others know what is happening as we march towards the goal of kingdom growth in our circles.  BUT that means we will need ideas, resources, etc.  Just send them to me!  BUT, do send them.  I'll share them in each of the newsletters.  Send to:  ljander@txdistlcms.org
 
We indeed are excited to welcome Rev. Steve Misch and Rev. Mike Newman to the Texas District MMF team.  There will be a short time of transition as we pass to the respective MMFs the congregations Paul and I have been covering.

Here's a bit more about them:

• Rev. Steven Misch will begin his service as MMF for Area A (West Texas) on July 15th .  Steve has served five congregations in New Mexico and Texas during the past 26 years and currently serves as pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Borger, Texas, as well as vacancy pastor at Trinity, Borger.  Steve and his wife, Lynn, have two sons, Stephen and Jonathan. Both Stephen and Jonathan will be attending Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, this fall.  Steve's email address is:  smisch@txdistlcms.org.
• Rev. Michael Newman will begin his service as MMF for Area C (central and south Texas) on July 1st.   Michael has served congregations in Minnesota, Illinois, and Texas over the past 21 years.  He currently serves as an associate pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas. Michael and his wife, Cynthia, have two daughters, Hannah and Abby.  Hannah will be a junior at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, and Abby will be a freshman at Texas State University in San Marcos.  Mike's email address is:  mnewman@txdistlcms.org.

Whoops!  That list of attendees at the M2C Retreat fell through a crack...we are working on it and will let you know how to get it.
 
Have a blessed summer in the Lord.  Don't forget to share your resources and stories with me.

Why Strategy Matters

There are a number of people and companies that deal with "strategy":  "Strategic Planning," "Strategy Consultants," and more.  But what is it, and does it really matter?  The word came into the English language around 1810, and by contrast, "tactics" came into use 200 years earlier.  People had discussed "tactics," but it wasn't until 1810 that Carl Von Clausewitz began using it in battle.  It began with three basic steps: 1) Figure out where you are (Point A).  2) Decide where you want to be (Point B).  And 3) create a plan to get from A to B. 
 
Incredibly simple, but it's surprising how few people actually take the time to consider those steps and come up with the best solution.  If you're involved in communicating a message, then you need to understand how it works.
 
Here's why it matters:  Having a plan to reach your audience with the right message is critical.  Whatever the challenge is that you're facing - the strategy (or lack of it) that got you in this sorry situation won't be the same strategy that gets you out.   Do you recall this quote:  "When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is to stop digging"?
 
I am always surprised at the number of people who just keep doing the same thing year after year as if the direction of the ministry, audience numbers, response, income - whatever, will magically change.  But getting from point A to point B doesn't happen by accident.  It happens through a well-thought-out plan.
 
And by the way - when it comes to churches - changing graphics, cool music, lighting effects, or dumping the choir robes isn't a strategy.  That's just re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.  You need a fundamental re-think of what story your church or ministry is trying to tell, what that means to your audience, how to connect with that audience, and why it's absolutely urgent they respond right now.    
 
Figure it out, because your future may be hanging on it.  What do you think?  How are we re-arranging the deck chairs? or the tables? or the nursery?  What really matters?

Lessons Learned in Church Planting

Here are some general lessons learned by a mission planter as he went through the process:
 
1.  There are worse things than failure
 ...we need to take the long view in planting - develop a 100-year plan!
 
2.  Church planting is like surfing
 ...reflect on the providence of God.  We cannot create the waves, we simply ride them as they come.
 
3.  Know your model
 ...there are different ways of planting - be clear on what your model is.
 
4.  You need a team
 ...for support, for diversity of gifts.
 
5.  Ideals need to become flesh
 ...too many people plant churches in their heads.  We must live it in everyday life.
 
6.  Enthusiasm is a discipline
 ...and remind yourself in the hard times how this estate is beautiful in God's sight... and remember, Jesus is your Savior, not your ministry.
 
7.  Small may not be beautiful but it will do
 ...and size of church is not the source of your identity/security.
 
8.  Locals are better than I am
 ...those who have been around and grown up in the area will always be better equipped at relating to other locals, so equip them.
 
9.  Read the Parable of the soils
  ...be clear about your conviction that the Word of God, though small, is powerful and will bring a harvest.
 

 

  MissionInsite Demographics

Client Log-In Click here.

Steps for loggin in:

• Click on the bottom of the Client Log-In Panel
• Follow the directions
• Agency Account Number:  129BX
• Select your City:
• Select your Church:
• Fill in the Blanks
• Accept the terms by clicking in the box
• Click on Register
• You will be taken to the Log-In Screen
• Enter your username and password
• You will be taken to the area of your church

 
To get the User Guide:

• Click on Resources in the Menu Bar of the website
• Click on Client and User Support
• Click on MI User Guide to get the PDF file (you can save it once it loads)
• There are numerous other resources to help you understand and use the various features of MissionInsite including tutorials.

 If you encounter questions or difficulties, contact your MMF.

Consecrated Stewards Training

  Training for Consecrated Stewards
Camp Lone Star
August 19-20, 2008
Trainer:  Rev. Dr. Art Scherer
 
Watch an overview video by clicking here.
 
Highlights of Consecrated Stewards Program
 
The Consecrated Stewards program builds on the popular "New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program" (Herb Miller, Abingdon Press). The program:

• Ties the commitment process to the Sunday morning act of worship.
• Reaches the maximum number of people in the most spiritual setting with
•       minimal organization.
• Requires four weeks of preparation and four weeks of emphasis.
• Requires a working committee of eight.
• Usually requires only four committee meetings plus attention to ongoing
•       stewardship.
• Does not have members asking other members one-on-one for a financial
•       commitment.
• Can be used any time during the year.

 
The Consecrated Stewards program goes beyond the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program by providing:

• Solid Lutheran Bible study materials
• Sermon outlines
• Guidance for stewardship witness talks
• A process to celebrate congregation ministries
• Publicity and communication aids

 
To get more information and to register for this great opportunity being offered right here in Texas, click here.
 
 Cost is $150, which includes meals, lodging, snacks, and all materials.

 

Resources

Gary Rohrmayer has some great thoughts on the need for a missional leader to work hard and persistently. This guy churns out some good stuff. Click here for details.  "Sow your seed in the morning and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well." (Ecclesiastes 11:6)

Why plant a church?
Many have asked me about the significance of church planting and how it helps to impact the Kingdom of God. A few years ago Tim Keller co-wrote a compelling and succinct rationale for church planting that is worth reading. Tim Keller is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. Keller's church has helped birth over 100 church plants in the U.S. Keller wrote this rationale with someone who was planting a church in San Fransisco, so understand that its leaning is towards that city. However, the universal principles are worth understanding. Click here to read more.

VIDEO - Ed Stetzer on Church Planting
In the second part of this interview with Ed Stetzer we turned our attention to discussing church planting. To view the video, click here.

The Well is a new Church that meets in Buda, Texas. Paul and Ryan made a presentation at the M2C Retreat.  They are a mix of people whose lives are dependent upon the fact that they receive the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.  To check out their website, click here.

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Have You Gone Blogging?
I have set up a reminder for all items related to church planting that are updated on any "Blog" anywhere in the country.  I have to admit that I don't read all the "posts" on the various Blogs, but do try to read through the summaries to see if there is anything worth reading or considering.

I'm going to use this spot to provide you with links to articles written in blogs that I find might be something you would like to read.  I'll provide the title and the link to the blog being referenced. Just click on the title to get to the web address. Let me know if this is something you find helpful.  I do want you to know that I'm trusting your "theological" review...not everything will always be stated in terms of the theology we believe.  So, just be aware.

 

Edge Equipping

 

New Churches

 

Multi-Site Church Planting Resources

Here are a couple of Blogs that are running around the Texas District Office:

Extreme Makeover: Church Edition
"Things are changing rapidly. Our lives were supposed to get less complex with more leisure time. So where is it?" Simple is in. Complexity is out. People are longing for a less complicated life. The title is provocative! Our lives and our churches might just need some tweaking - some might need a complete redesign. Share something you believe, something you have read, and/or some thoughts that might get some response.

Missional Journey
Welcome to Missional Journey...thoughts on Missional churches, Missional people, and how a church planting movement might be fostered in the Texas District, LCMS.

Core Group/Launch Team

Here are some things to remember about the core group/launch team phase.
You need other people on your team.

• People who are leaving other churches to come to yours will probably leave yours later.
• Let people give/tithe right away.
• Visiting other churches together and talking about your experience is great team building.
• Don't bend your vision to get people on that team.
• Not everybody is a fit, and that's okay.  We had some great people who found they were more at home somewhere else...this is a good thing for everybody!
• Don't be too quick to hire people or give them titles.
• You can start a church with a small launch team - even in a town where you don't know anybody.
• A core group is internally focused; a launch team is externally focused.
• Talk about your core values as a church, but also lead Bible Studies and make sure people are seeking Jesus.
• Some of these people will take a bullet for you...never take that for granted.

Key Components of the M2C Process in Texas

As we work towards the goal of planting 200 new churches by 2017, we know that our partnership is critical...partnership between a congregation or a group of congregations and the Texas District.

How will the goal of 200 new congregations occur?

• Strong, healthy congregations, both small and large can become actively involved in planting one or more new church starts and, in fact, are encouraged to plant three new starts by 2017!
• These might be independent daughter congregations, alongside cross-cultural starts or multi-sites.
• They are not all large congregations!  Individual congregations, partnerships of two or more congregations, or whole circuits are beginning to think and pray about how they might be involved.

Resources from the Texas District
>  Mission Facilitator
     * Planning
     * Counsel
>  Three Key Factors to be considered:
     * Right person
     * Right place
     * Right plan
>  Demographic Reports for potential target areas
>  Mission Planting Planning Worksheets
>  Mission Planter Candidates
>  Mission Planter Assessment
>  Mission Planter Training
>  Funding
    * Up to $200,000 over three to five years
    * Loan repayment over 20 years, interest free
    * Funding is provided through the Board of Mission Administration after
       the submission of a Mission Plan and after the Mission Planter Assessment
       has been completed.

Checklist for considering being a Partner:

• Meet with Mission Facilitator
• Overview of Mission Planting Process
• Presentation to Church Council and/or governing church board
• Congregational decision to Partner in the mission planting process
• Celebrate the Covenant Agreement
• Appoint "Mission Task Force" from Congregation

 
We encourage you to contact your Area MMF and discuss the possibilities.  Each MMF is available to the congregations and circuits in his respective area to overview the M2C process and to share a most informative presentation on the topic of "The Case for Mission Planting."  Don't hesitate making the contact.  This is a partnership, not a competition!  We  walk together in reaching our communities with the Gospel message!

Texas District MMFs

Rev. Steve Misch
806.433-4536
smisch@txdistlcms.org
Area A

Mr. Paul Krentz
512.926.4272
krentztx@txdistlcms.org
Area B

Rev. Michael Newman
mnewman@txdistlcms.org
Area C

Dr. Lou Jander
281.970.5308
ljander@txdistlcms.org
Area D

M2C Website:  http://www.m2ctexas.org or just click here.