Transforming Congregations Newtork: LCMS World Mission Revitalization Process

1. Congregational ConsultationsCongregations who wish to undergo revitalization must have a clear understanding of their present circumstances as well as a clear vision of where they will need to go. A consultation brings in an objective eye for assessment as well as an experienced coach who can help the congregation identify and adopt specific goals and strategies which will bring new people into the Kingdom of God and new people into the congregation's ministry. Part of the revitalization process, then, includes a congregational consultation. A weekend with an outside consultant, however, is just the beginning. How well a congregation is able to make the agreed upon changes and become more effective in outreach will be supported by the other components of the revitalization process described below. The Transforming Congregations Network, in cooperation with LCMS World Mission has developed and instituted a process to train consultants who will be certified to lead this phase of congregational transformation.

2. Coaching Congregations that have undergone a consultation will have received some prescriptions aimed at creating behaviors consistant with outreach and renewal in the church culture. In order follow up on these prescriptions, the consultation team will arrange monthly coaching appointments with the pastor and leaders of the congregation. Specific exercises in intervention and accountability are outlined in a coaching manual.

3. Learning Communities In order for small group outreach to be effectively promoted and supported in the local congregation, and in order for the fruit of outreach to be effectively assimilated by the local congregation, pastors and congregational leaders need to be equipped and supported as they lead the charge of turning the focus of their ministries outward toward unreached people. Pastors and significant leaders of congregations in the Transforming Congregations Network are gathered into regional learning communities which meet monthly under the auspices of the district. The purpose of the learning communities is threefold: to provide a support and a safe place for pastors and leaders to share their aspirations and concerns about congregational transformation, to assist the leaders in their own spiritual life with Jesus, and to provide opportunities for learning and skill-building relative to the revitalization process. In addition to support, the Learning Communities provide a system of accountability to encourage and measure progress toward agreed-upon goals. Each pastor in the Learning Community covenants to participate in the accountability structure as well as to initiate a learning community among his leaders in his own congregation.

Evangelism Resources:

Key to revitalizing the mission of a congregation is a concern for unbelieving and unchurched people in the community. Evangelism resources are offered by the Transforming Congregations Network to help members of the congregation in their motivation for mission. Two such resources are Groups Ablaze! and Triads.

The Small Group: Groups Ablaze!Revitalizing the mission of local congregations starts at a grass roots level. Individuals sharing the Gospel of Jesus with individuals who do not know Jesus as Savior is where all growth in God's Kingdom takes place. Congregational members recognize the importance of interpersonal witnessing, but often feel afraid and ill-equipped to share the message of Jesus's love with their unchurched friends and neibhbors. Groups Ablaze! is a simple non-threatening process which prepares congregational members, meeting in small groups to form relationships with people outside the church and sharing the good news of Salvation in Christ with them. Six modules, each spanning six weeks of discussion material lead small groups to be motivated and spiritually equipped to effectively respond to the Great Commission of Jesus. Groups Ablaze! is currently being used by nearly 300 congregations in a dozen LCMS districts, and is available now. For further details of Groups Ablaze!, please browse the website: http://www.groupsablaze.org

Triads Sharing the Gospel with unreached people is not programatic, but is a function of personal, informaln relationships. The concept of Triads, which is explained in great detail in Neil Cole's book: , is a simple one: three people, one of which is a seeker, meet regularly around prayer and scripture. Meetings of three people are informal, need no facilities, and are easliy coordinated among their various schedules. Triads arise out of the initiative of individual Christians, not church programs, and become a non-threatening place for seekers to ask questions, share concerns and meet the personal Jesus. While the church cannot program and control the activities of triads, it can encourage church members to form these basic building blocks for sharing faith, which will ultimately bring new people into the Kingdom of God as well as into His church.

The Role of DistrictsThe Mission Revitalization Process, developed by LCMS World Mission is offered through LCMS Districts. As districts make serious efforts at turning around the focus of local congregations within their sphere of influence, they will also see a need to begin doing business in significantly new and different ways. This is especially true of districts who undertake a consulting role with congregations desiring revitalization. Currently, 23 LCMS Districts are seriously involved in reassessing their staffing and structure in order to support a dynamic process of transformation among their congregations.