1. focus:
Supplement to Reporter
February 2015
National Mission
TThese are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
(John 20:31 ESV)
S
ince 2010, the LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM)
has been busy. Through the process of restructuring, ONM
has continually asked one main question: “How can we best
serve the districts of the Synod, and with them the congregations,
schools and workers of the church?” That is no small task. To help
answer this, at the 2013 convention, the Synod also directed ONM to
focus attention on the work of both church planting (multiplication)
and revitalization. The LCMS has recognized that these two areas
are critical for the future life and vibrancy of the church. We must be
about the work of planting new congregations and revitalizing and
strengthening those that have been serving in ministry for decades.
The role of ONM is to support and expand this work as it happens at
the district, circuit, congregation and individual levels.
Over the last several months, ONM has done more listening,
specifically with district staff members, to hear how we can improve
and expand this support in the future. Those conversations have
been fruitful and have given us stronger resolve to keep focused
on church planting and revitalization through the many ministry
areas of ONM. Each department has a unique connection with and
role to play in the work of church planting and revitalization. I
am extremely pleased that the Lord is blessing, and the daily work
within ONM is more and more aligning with the work of planting
and revitalization.
To that end, the Rev. Steve Schave, currently serving as director
of Urban & Inner-City Mission, is also now taking up the task
of director of Church Planting. Likewise, the Rev. Mark Wood,
currently serving as director of Witness & Outreach Ministry, is also
now taking up the task of director of Revitalization. These two men
bring tremendous gifts and energy to the work of church planting
and revitalization. They understand the vital connections between
the two and the opportunities the Lord is giving us across the Synod
to spread the Gospel to the entire world that is coming to our door.
The domestic church is in the midst of change. A church that
has been traditionally geared for sustained ministry is now being
challenged to see the mission field all around us. The Lord is opening
doors in urban areas, on college campuses and among ethnic
communities. The Synod needs to be bold in planting congregations
among them. The LCMS needs to be bold to revitalize and expand
the work of our existing congregations. The Lord is doing great
things among us. Now is the time.
The Rev. Bart Day is the executive director of the Office of National
Mission and interim chief mission officer for The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod.
By Bart Day
The mission field here at home

2. 2 | FOCUS: NATIONAL MISSION
There was a time when we didn’t concern ourselves with
revitalization. Members, congregations, pastors, districts, ministries and
funds were increasing among us, and revitalization was far from our
minds. The term “revitalization” wasn’t even part of our vocabulary. But
now, after several decades of membership decline, congregations closing,
vacancies going unfilled and budgets being slashed, revitalization is a
pressing need.
What does the word “revitalization” mean? The basic definition of
“revitalization” is to restore, renew or increase vitality. We know that
vitality is found wherever the Word of God is proclaimed in purity and
truth, and His Sacraments are rightly administered. In these treasures is
the forgiveness of sin, and “where there is forgiveness of sin, there is life
and salvation” (Luther’s Small Catechism, Section 1, Page 31). The need for
revitalization shows itself when Word-and-Sacrament ministry – when
vitality – is diminishing.
Like vitality, revitalization is a work of the Holy Spirit through the
Means of Grace. As the Spirit makes use of us to exercise the Means
of Grace for the vitality of a congregation, He also uses us to apply the
Means of Grace for its revitalization. Since revitalization is a work of God,
not a work of man, it is not our role to determine the outcomes, set the
objectives or bring about the results that we desire. We need to be His
instruments for what He is working in and through revitalization.
A majority of our congregations have either reached a plateau or
are in decline. There are various reasons for this: populations have
shifted, neighborhoods have changed, culture has turned away from the
Church, etc. Whatever the causes, Word and Sacrament ministries are
diminishing, and we need revitalizing.
Faced with such a large-scale need, it’s tempting to shape
revitalization into a human endeavor designed to restore our
congregations, ministries, districts and Synod to the glory of days gone
by. Employing worldly methods for boosting attendance, membership
and revenue is a very real temptation that drives us to the heart of
revitalization: repentance.
Revitalization calls us to come to terms with having been poor
stewards of God’s treasures, especially the Gospel. Our stewardship of the
Gospel cannot be quantified by counting bodies, souls or dollars. Neither
increases nor decreases can measure how faithfully we’ve responded
to Jesus’ call to be His witnesses in our world. Instead, we must search
ourselves and answer whether we have made sharing the Gospel with the
lost people in our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, etc., our highest
priority, or if we’ve spent His treasures to create safe places for ourselves,
including inwardly focused congregations.
Like other calls to repentance, revitalization is neither easy nor
attractive. It is hard work. It challenges our motives and desires. It
necessarily calls for change. It may not bring new people in, bring former
members back or balance the budget. The only guarantee of revitalization
is that it will force us to come to terms with being the Church militant; it
will drive us to the cross. But there, at the cross, we discover the beauty
and simplicity of revitalization: the forgiveness of sins.
Our approach to revitalization reflects Jesus’ picture of the “master
of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old”
(Matt. 13:52). The first phase of our program will provide congregations
with revitalization resources in three critical areas:
True revitalization will encourage us to focus on the
cross and to embrace what we as Lutherans value, trust
and depend upon as the Church militant: the Word of
God proclaimed in purity and truth and His Sacraments
rightly administered. Our desire is to help each other
discover how we might increase the vitality of God’s
Word and Sacraments among ourselves and to share
them with others, especially people who are not
like us.
Our vision is to be faithful in Lutheran
doctrine and practice as we engage our culture in
creative ways, not “a new way of being church,”
but being the church we are in new ways. Our
revitalization program is being built on the
understanding that revitalization doesn’t
happen through programs, but through the
Means of Grace. For in the Means of Grace
is the forgiveness of sins, and where there
is forgiveness, there is vitality … and
revitalization.
The Rev. Mark Wood is director of
Witness & Outreach Ministry and
director of Revitalization for the LCMS
Office of National Mission.
means bringing back to life
By Mark Wood
The basic definition of “revitalization”
is to restore, renew or increase vitality.
Congregational self-assessment
A methodical and objective means of answering the
question “Where are we, really?”; administered by a
congregation for its own use.
Training resources
Low cost, topical, five-part training modules that incorporate
contemporary training technologies and adult learning
methods to help congregations effectively address the needs
identified in their self-assessments.
Equipping for evangelism
A relational evangelism approach focused on equipping
and encouraging every believer to be a witness of Christ
in the context of his/her everyday life.
Here’s how the church does it:

3. 3 | FOCUS: NATIONAL MISSION
Church planting in a post-Christian place
Thy kingdom come
Ready? Set? Go!
In the city setting, there are typically large
groups of international immigrants, multi-ethnic
neighborhoods, extreme poverty and the like. For
new campus missions, the transient nature of the
congregation and lack of mature giving creates
similar challenges. But those who serve in the midst
of these complex and challenging mission fields
also are worthy of our support, including financially.
A network support model may be needed for
funding, to ensure that there are adequately trained
workers in the field along with the resources needed
to reach out to their communities. The stark reality
is that we are losing our footprint in cities, and on
our campuses, and once our ministries are lost, it
is virtually impossible to get them back. So, too, in
many of our largest cities we have a small handful
of churches for populations rapidly outgrowing their
suburbs. Therefore, we need a quick and lasting
response with a clear Lutheran identity.
Reaching lost souls
and Synod renewal
It may seem an odd way to look at it, but
when we consider revitalization within our Synod,
church-planting plays a prominent role, as it has the
capability to bring renewed vigor to other churches,
circuits and districts who wish to participate. In and
of itself, church-planting is a means of revitalization
at the macro level. The Word of God alone can
revitalize the Church, and where the Church is
planted there is the Word! God bless the sowing
of His seed, and He alone will reap the harvest.
God bless The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod as we endeavor in this mission.
It is a new chapter of mission on the domestic mission frontier. We now recognize
the place of the United States in the perspective of global Christianity and realize the
vast mission field that is before us in a “post-Christian” era. In the midst of rapidly
shifting demographics and urbanization, the Church will bring the unchangeable
Gospel to bear in a changing world. This will require coordination with congregations,
districts and seminaries to have a concerted effort to plant new churches.
“Life Together” missions
These “Life Together” missions will require identifying, training and funding
pastors to be pioneering domestic missionaries in new locations. Seminarians need
to be trained to plant churches via a mission formation track with certification. This
training may also be specific to urban, rural, multi-ethnic environments, which require
experience in the field. Also, an updated manual for church planters is being developed
for planting distinctly Lutheran churches using witness, mercy and life together as the
framework for doing missions. Training and church-planting networks also will be
necessary for others who wish to participate in church-planting. Pastors, deaconesses,
other church workers and laity play an active role in the planting of churches.
Therefore, instruction in daughtering congregations, church-planting leadership,
vocational witness and outreach through human care – along with a network of support
– will be vital to establishing and chartering congregations.
What’s Lutheran?
In planting a distinctly Lutheran church, it is important to understand what the
distinctive characteristics are and the marks of the Lutheran church. In his “On the
Councils and the Church” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 41, pgs. 143-166), Luther gives seven
marks and outward signs that can be categorized under witness and life together. These
will be key to developing a core group for the formation of Lutheran congregations:
Possession of the Holy Word of God (Witness)
The Holy Sacrament of Baptism (Life Together)
The Holy Sacrament of the Altar (Life Together)
The Office of the Keys Exercised Publicly (Life Together)
Consecration or Calling Ministers (Life Together)
Prayer, Public Praise and Thanksgiving to God (Witness and Life Together)
The Holy Possession of the Sacred Cross (i.e., persecution) (Witness and Life Together)
Using this as the basis for church-planting will be a great aid in the planning
process, in order to map out the process from forming a core group to chartering a
Lutheran congregation. Building a life together involves assembling a core group;
developing unity in belief and practice; managing the administrative aspects of
getting started; preparing to worship; and establishing fellowship as this core group
becomes the body of Christ in this place. Witness to the new community will require
a well-catechized congregation speaking the truth in love in its various vocations.
In our skeptical society, having knowledge of apologetics is becoming increasingly
important. So too, simply creating an awareness of a new congregation coming into the
community will be important. So too, mercy will be an important aspect of the life of
the church and also as an outreach. This means the church plant will
need to understand its community, find ways to be a good neighbor
and reach out to others through human care.
The Rev. Steve Schave is director of Urban & Inner-City Mission and
director of Church Planting for the LCMS Office of National Mission.
By Steve Schave
In the midst of rapidly shifting demographics
and urbanization, the Church will bring the
unchangeable Gospel to bear in a changing world.

4. 4 | FOCUS: NATIONAL MISSION
The Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez, director of Church and Community Engagement
Q1: The Lord has instructed us to care for the physical
needs (Acts 6:1-7; Matt. 25:31-46, to cite two of many biblical
references to urge Christians to care for neighbor and each
other) of those in our congregations, but also and especially
the residents in the communities where our congregations
are geographically located, the neighbors across the street and
around the corner from the congregation.
Q2: First, they can pray for our LCMS community
outreach ministries, especially our “Planting Gospel Seeds
While Serving Human Needs” initiative. Second, they can
inquire of their congregation concerning their outreach into
the community, their evangelism plans and goals for the
year. And third, they can inquire about “Planting Gospel
Seeds While Serving Human Needs” training in their
congregation. Once a congregational member is trained
in the “Gospel Seeds” training method, he or she may
volunteer to assist in training other nearby congregations.
To learn more, visit lcms.org/gospelseeds.
The Rev. Roosevelt Gray Jr., director of Black Ministry
Q1: The Lord has commanded us to go and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name of our Triune God,
teaching them to obey everything that He has commanded
(Matt. 28:19-20), and that all nations will be with Him in
heaven rejoicing over their salvation in Christ with all the
saints (Rev. 7:9-17). Therefore, we must support our districts
and their congregations to witness, show mercy and live life
together in their congregations and communities with the Good News of the
Gospel.
Q2: Help always starts with prayers to the Lord of the
harvest to send out laborers into His harvest field (Matt.
9:38), especially in our ethnic communities. Second,
encourage congregations to support ethnic ministry
financially through the ONM, their districts and other
local congregations they are networked with. And third,
make mission and ministry trips to help congregations
carry out mercy and witness outreach ministries among
ethnic communities.
To learn more, visit lcms.org/blackministry.
The Rev. Mark Wood, director of Witness & Outreach Ministry/Revitalization
Q1: As a parish pastor and church planter in a county in
Florida where less than 18 percent of the people are active
in a Christian church, I experienced firsthand the great need
that surrounds us. Recognizing that the whole Church is
called to meet that need, I focused on equipping, encouraging
and enabling the laypeople I served to be more effective and
confident witnesses of Jesus in their everyday lives. When the
opportunity to continue this work at the national level came about last year, I
was excited to be able to share what I had learned and to discover what others are
doing in witness and outreach that can be shared throughout the Synod.
Q2: I’m very excited about “A Simple Way”
– the new evangelism program we’re developing
for Synodwide use. It’s a relational approach to
witnessing that provides practical resources for
people to use as they speak of Jesus to others in
the context of their everyday lives. “A Simple Way”
will make use of current technologies for reference,
training and witnessing resources, so that it can be
delivered to the people who will be using it at little
cost. Please pray for us as we work to create this
program and, if you are able and so moved, provide
financial support to help move it forward.
To learn more, visit lcms.org/the72.
To learn more, visit lcms.org/revitalizing.
The Rev. Todd Kollbaum, director of Rural & Small Town Mission (RSTM)
Q1: I grew up and have worked and served in rural and
small-town settings my entire life. I have a passion for serving
the Lord in these places, because I recognize that rural and
small-town congregations are uniquely positioned to be the
hands and feet of Christ in a very vital way. When asked why I
believe so strongly in this, I remind people that where there is
a void, it will be filled. I want to see it filled with the very best,
and I believe the LCMS offers just that, when we carry out Christ’s Word and
Sacrament ministry wherever it is that God has sent us to do so.
Q2: Utilize the resources, get the word out and
don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you have experienced
particular success in some aspect of rural and small-
town ministry, let us know so we can help others to
know as well. If you are in a position to assist us by
hosting an event, sponsoring participation and our
development effort or by networking with us, please let
us know. And above all, pray for the rural and small-
town congregations of our Synod, the efforts of RSTM
and for all of the ministries of the LCMS!
To learn more, visit lcms.org/rstm.
The Rev. Marcus Zill, director of Campus Ministry and LCMS U
Q1: I was privileged to have a campus ministry vicarage
at the University of Oklahoma and then to serve as a full-
time campus pastor for nearly 16 years at the University of
Wyoming. It is the passion of my life. I love working with
college students, working with those on the edge and being a
part of young people’s lives when they need it most. As we often
say with LCMS U, “College is tough. You need Jesus. We’ll help.”
That’s what we are ultimately all about!
Q2: The best way to help Campus Ministry and LCMS U
is to care for college students you know; remember college
students when they are gone; reach out to those at schools
near your local congregation; and make sure that everyone
knows about LCMS U. Help them remain connected and
rooted in Christ during this formative time in their life.
To learn more, visit lcms.org/lcmsu.
The Rev. Steve Schave, director of Urban & Inner-City Mission and Church Planting
Q1: Having served on the frontlines of city mission, I
understand the complexities that can cause the work to be
frustrating and even dangerous. Working with the poor,
homeless, and those re-entering society also challenges the
conventional understanding of a congregation being completely
self-supporting. I’m very pleased that Synod in convention has
committed to “working to increase significantly our support of
congregations in urban and inner-city settings.” To do this, we are finding ways
to support our urban missionaries and congregations as they reach out to their
neighbors in witness and mercy.
Q2: Pray, give or go to serve and support our city
missions. You can give to “Big City Mission” (lcms.org/
bigcitymission), through Concordia Publishing House’s
Vacation Bible School mission project to support urban
schools, or give to the LCMS Save Our Cities Fund to fund
urban missionaries and community development projects.
You also can join our network at: facebook/lcmscitymission
by liking us on Facebook.
To learn more, visit lcms.org/citymission.
Ministry Profiles:
Get to know our LCMS National Ministries
Q1: Tell us why you chose to work in this ministry.
Q2: What can people do to get involved?
Find out more about these LCMS ministries by
calling the LCMS Church Information Center at
888-843-5267 or visiting lcms.org/whatwedo.
We asked these key questions.