NEW AND RENEWING MINISTRIES
Sierra Pacific Synod
Congregational and Synodical Mission
ELCA
Pr. Jim Hytjan – Director for Evangelical Mission
Sierra Pacific Synod
New Ministry Development
 Grace Lao
Richmond, CA
 Pr. Doris Ng
 Good Shepherd South Asian
Fremont, CA
 Pr. Ray Waespi
 First United/St. Cyprian San Francisco, CA
Lutheran/Episcopal
 Anders Peterson
Status of New Starts
SAWC
58%
Alternate
Worshiping Site
3%
Alternate
Worshiping
Community
5%
CUD
22%
Approved Site
12%
Ethnicity of New Starts
African National
5%
Caucasian
38%
American
Indian/Alaska
Native
7%
Asian/Pacific
Islander
10%
African
American/Black
10%
Multi-racial
13%
Latino/Hispanic
17%
Geographic Setting of New Starts
Small Town <
10,000 population
18%
Small City 10,000 to
49,999 population
8%
Medium City
50,000 to
249,999
population
12%
Near suburb of
large city < 10 miles
7%
Suburb of a
medium city
5%
Large city 250,000+
population
32%
Rural
18%
New Starts by Economic Group Type
Middle class Semiprofessional,
craftsmen, college
educated, $35,000$75,000
60%
Upper middle class
Salaried,
professional,
managers, highly
educated,
$100,000+
3%
Poverty
Below the
poverty line
10%
Working class
Clerical, blue/pink
collar, HS education
$16,000-$30,000
27%
New Ministry Models
 Stand alone new ministry start
 Synodically Authorized Worshiping Community
 Exploration/probe
 Expected to become new start
 Churches starting churches
 Alternate worship site (second site)
 Alternate worshiping community within
New Ministry Development Process
 The Holy Spirit calls, gathers…
 Individual inquiry
 Congregation, cluster of churches, conference
 Ministry assessment and plan
 Witness Discipling Team
 Synod demographic assessment
 Full Communion partner invitation
 What if??
 How about….joining with the Holy Spirit in creating a new faith community?
New Ministry Discernment Process
How does this new outreach ministry proposal fit within the mission
plan of the congregation, cluster of area churches, conference, synod,
and ELCA?
How does this new outreach ministry proposal fit within the presence
and mission plans of full communion partners?
New Ministry Discernment Process
Key Contacts
Witness Discipling Team
Director for Evangelical Mission
Synod Staff
Congregational & Synodical Mission Unit (ELCA)
New Ministry Discernment Process
Key Questions
What is the purpose of this new ministry?
How does it fit the ministry context?
What is the plan?
What is the potential for accomplishing the purpose?
Who are the partners?
Has leadership been identified, received approval from CSM, and how will
she/he be supported?
New Ministry Application Process
 Collaborative effort of congregation(s), Witness DisciplingTeam,
DEM, bishop/staff, CMS.
 Demonstrates clear purpose, plan, potential, partners,
communication with communion partners, and financial
partnership in support of mission developer salary/benefit
package.
 Congregational & Synodical Mission’s Development Team reviews
all applications for approval and financial support.
 DEM works with sponsor and Witness DisciplingTeam to secure
and support a mission developer through ministry organization.
Mission Developer
 Lay or Rostered Leader
 Pre-screening/ Behavioral Interview Process
 Called by synod council/sponsoring congregation and
appointed by CSM
 Monthly meetings with DEM and annual review of ministry and
work of the mission developer
 Works with a Steering Committee (newly identified interested
persons, people who worked in the study/application process)
until organization
 Serves as leader until formal organization and then congregation
calls/appoints first leader of the newly organized ministry
Request for Recognition as a
Congregation (Organization)
 Worship services centered in Word and Sacrament
 Pastoral care provided
 Challenge, equip, support ministry in daily life
 Teach and witness to the Word of God in Christ
 Service in the community
 Financial support of local, synodical, and churchwide
ministries
 Foster/participate in ecumenical relationships
Options to Organization
 Ministry closes
 Synodically Authorized Worshiping Community status
requested of and granted by synod council.
 Retain presence in the ELCA
 Incorporated with constitution and by-laws
 Contract for pastoral services or synod council may issue call to
serve (according to synod guidelines).
 Voting members at synod assemblies
 Annual Review by DEM/Witness Discipling Team
Renewing Ministries
All existing ELCA ministries are in constant state of renewal ( Church
of the Reformation). Renewal is an ongoing celebration of “God’s
Work….Our Hands”.
Spectrum:
Minor Adjustments…Closing/Restart
ELCA Renewal Process
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Creation of a Mission Plan
Six Guiding Principles
Three Great Listenings
Relational and fosters relationships
Every congregation uniquely gifted by God
Pays attention to context
Shared journey
Ongoing
ELCA Renewal Process
Three Great Listenings
 Listening to God
 Bible study/preaching/teaching
 Listening to each other: “table conversations”




Faith/life
Congregational strengths/weaknesses/opportunities
History – tell stories
Intergenerational
 Listening to the community
 Community leaders, organizations, social services
 Demographics
Ministry Renewal Process






Mission Plan
Reaffirmation/clarity around identity and purpose
Provides direction/map/GPS for moving ahead
Short (immediate to 1 yr.) long (1-5 yrs.) term
vision/goals/plan
Realistic about capacity/resources/change
Provides for evaluation/course corrections
Celebrates early and often
Mission Plan Outcomes
Minor Adjustments
 Strengthen focus in adult ministry
 Increase budget for social media/communication
Major Adjustments
 Staff additions/reductions
 Worship changes
 Building programs
 Significant budget increase/decrease
 Start a new ministry – 2nd site
 Merger/Consolidation/Close
Ministry Renewal Process
Adjustments and Change
 < 5% Visionaries (embrace change)
 15% Early Adopters
 50% Middle Adopters
 20% Late Adopters
 <10% Laggards
Mission Planning
2012 Congregational Report
Are you carrying out a mission plan?
6,995 (9500) Congregations Responded
Yes 50%
No 38%
No Response 12%
Mission Planning
2012 Congregational Report
If no, are you developing a mission plan?
Yes 34%
No 52%
No Response 14%
Bottom Line:
63% of those responding are in the process of carrying out or
developing a mission plan.
ELCA Renewal Process
Area Mission Plan
Area/Conference Churches
Three Great Listenings among churches
 Focus on outreach ministry to service area
Mission Plan Outcomes
 Awareness of Lutheran presence
 Possibilities for cooperative ministry
 Possibilities for mergers/consolidations
 Possibilities for starting new ministries
 Strengthening ties with full communion partners