hide submenuEvery Christian, through Baptism, is given the privilege of declaring the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
Mission Networking is mandated to adopt and communicate LCMS ABLAZE! For the purpose of church planting and revitalization, Mission Networking establishes active and productive partnerships with LCMS World Missions, districts and congregations.
Our performance protocol is conducted under the following Values:
VAULES FOR
- We adopt as priority the LCMS vision: One
- We inform, educate and motivate the LCMS constituency in reaching out with the Gospel to African Americans and inspire the planting of new congregations.
- We provide leadership in training opportunities through conferences and workshops in creating and evaluating mission start-ups on the urban frontier.
- Create tools and on-site training opportunities for revitalizing existing congregations needing to refocus for Christ's mission.
- Raise-up mission leaders from within LCMS Black Ministry.
- Partner with Africa-American Immigrant Missions for the sake of Christ's ministry.
- Interface with national, district and regional leaders in order to share mission information and resources
- Pray and encourage other ethnic ministries within the LCMS National Mission Affiliates.
CHALLENGES IN
The LCMS has established a world-wide Gospel outreach movement, setting 2017 as the target date for igniting 100 million hearts, planting 2,000 new congregations and revitalizing 2,000 exiting congregations.
Identify eight to ten strong black congregations willing to sign on as a “Covenant Congregation,” committed to birthing 3-4 new mission starts.
Connect and cooperate through synod resources: Rev. Yohannes Mengsteab, National Director for New Mission Starts, is our point of contact at LCMS World Missions. Our scope and range of influence extend beyond the Black Ministry national office toward connecting to emerging national, regional and local outreach coordination efforts.
Count Gospel Contacts: A Gospel Contact is when a person gives a clear witness to Jesus Christ, and there is opportunity to respond to the message—receiving it, rejecting it or asking for more information. We call it a “Faith Sharing Moment.” A critical first-step is recognizing an unhealthy situation, and then a bold assessment and transformation make for appropriate follow-up. It means speaking the truth in love about keeping Jesus the main thing, and His holiness the principle desires of our hearts. Faith in action!
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, World Missions, through its National Missions Staff has developed a process called the Transforming Congregations Network (TCN), designed to assist local congregations in revitalizing their sense of mission. The TCN process is based on research among effective mission movements world wide, and pilot projects field testing materials over a number of years. The TCN's Mission Statement: Turning Inwardly Focused Congregations Outward.
How is your ministry? Are you willing to take a risk at becoming healthier and more productive? TCN could be a viable option for your congregation. Contact the Mission Networking office of Black Ministry. The fire is hot and the time is now. Together we can thrust forward into reclaiming the ministries and souls that rightly belong to God, through His Son Jesus our Living Savior.
