Dave Daubert's First Powerpoint Presentation

Growing God’s Mission December 2007

Why Are You Here?
Turn to two people you don’t know well and share with them what you hope to get out of the next few hours.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
God has a dream
We’re supposed to dream it too!
In fact, we pray for it all the time.
God is in the change business!
God invites us into the work.
It seems like many congregations miss this! We assume you are here to change that!

So How Do We Change This? (Working toward a church that cares more about what God cares about)

Characteristics of Growing ELCA Congregations
Purpose – A collective sense of what God wants them to do. Always contextualizes the “missio dei” (a fancy Latin term for God’s mission) and points to the world
Willingness to Change – So committed to God’s purpose that they will change what they do to get it done
Leadership – laity and clergy who work together as a team
Priesthood of all believers – everyone knows that all of life is ministry and service to God happens 24/7 – not just in a church building or when we are “religious”
It takes all of these to make it happen!

The Mission Belongs to God
The God of Jesus is committed to transforming the world into the Reign of God
God invites us to participate and works in us and through us
Our work only matters in the end as it contributes to and expresses the work of God

It Starts With God – Through You!
God uses people to bring about change
Changed(ing) people change churches -When a congregation needs to change, someone needs to start!
Transformation starts with you!
When you focus on the important things, it helps others focus on them too (remember, the most important thing is not the church but the world!!).

What are the important things?
Keep your eyes on Jesus. Stay open to Christ’s presence and guidance in your own life and the world around you
Discern your purpose and your identity (your role to play in God’s mission)
Act faithfully to DO WHAT YOU ARE!
Help others do the same

As the world changes, the constant of God’s purpose remains God’s work to bring about the Reign Reign of God Church called to participate in God’s work The Changing World Witness and engagement Church

Percent of Congregations by Their Score on the Purpose and Change Index Score Percent of Congregations The highest possible score is 30. Prepared by the Department for Research and Evaluation Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2005. Less than 20 (Low) 33.6% 20 to 25 44.3% Greater than 25 (High) 22.1%

Prepared by the Department for Research and Evaluation Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2005.

What the curves tell us Survival Purposeful Apathetic TECHNIQUES DON’T WORK!! Survival based and purposeful based churches often DO the same things

For many congregations the church is a building, a pastor and enough laity to pay the bills

What the curves tell us and what we want to do about it Survival Purposeful Apathy Move toward a more purposeful/missional church

As the world changes, the constant of God’s purpose remains God’s work to bring about the Reign Reign of God Church called to participate in God’s work The Changing World Witness and engagement Church

The “old” world “ Normal” people go to church “ Normal” people go to church

In the old world the church is a building, a pastor and enough laity to pay the bills

Purpose in a world like this:
The world told us: “To be a respected and sustainable social organization that produces respectable and socially acceptable citizens.”

The “new” world

The New Church Life/ministry as witness and “parable of the kingdom”

Purpose in a world like this?

Some Key Closing Words
Thank you! Your commitment to “Growing God’s Mission” is the key to the church being useful.
Be creative: the kingdom means lots of new things. “Behold, I make all things new” is the promise of the Reign of God . It is OK (hear: absolutely necessary!!! ) to try things you haven’t seen before!
Keep in touch with God: (scripture, prayer, and conversation with other Christians are critical skills/tools). You can’t intentionally participate in what God is doing if you aren’t paying attention!

Dave Daubert's First Powerpoint Presentation

by Lutheran Church of the Redeemer

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