Missional Worker Training is moving forward in South Texas!
Two training sessions are now scheduled:
Saturday, April 24, 2010 – Brownsville, TX
El Calvario Lutheran Church, 1157 E Monroe St., 78520
Saturday, May 15, 2010 – San Antonio, TX
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5323 Blanco Road, 78216
Childcare will be provided at Christ Our Savior.
Please reserve your child’s place by May 10th.
Call 210-732-7223 and speak with Lynn Linkes.
Schedule for each seminar:
8:30am registration, 9:00am-3:30pm training.
Registration fee: $15 for lunch and materials.
Be part of the excitement! Invite friends who have a heart for serving Jesus and His people!
For more information, Ministry Ideas, FAQs, Bulletin/Newletter information, and a downloadable brochure, please take a look at the Missional Worker website and the MissionalWorker.org Resource Page.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Missional Worker FAQs
Missional Worker Frequently Asked Questions
1) Are we creating a new “office” for the Missional Worker? To create an entirely new category of worker may cause confusion regarding our current list of ordained and commissioned ministers.
A Missional Worker is not a new ministry “office.” A missional worker is a Christian servant—a lay person—who is being trained and sent into service by a pastor. The goal is to allow lay people to be equipped and sent to their “harvest fields” in order to bring the Good News of Jesus there. This is equivalent to training a small group leader to facilitate a small group study or equipping a lay-leader for visiting people in the hospital.
2) Missional Workers will be sent into new “ministries.” Our confessions speak of Ministry in the context of Word and Sacrament (i.e. Congregations). Is this training meant to be another pathway to ordination? What do you mean by new “ministries”?
The term “ministry” is used in reference to an opportunity to serve (parallel to the Greek word “diakonia”). Of course, under the direction of a pastor, if a group of people gathers steam and develops into a church plant, then the faithful steps would be taken toward a Word and Sacrament ministry.
3) Why is it necessary to train these folks to lead people in prayer, study, serving and worship? Is this a substitute for what our confessions reference when they discuss being “rightly called”?
These folks would be trained to understand and communicate sound Biblical truth, to pray for and with people, to grow in listening skills, and to live lives of godly integrity. It’s the discipleship of lay people to be salt and light in the world—-not apart from the church, but as the body of Christ. Missional Worker Training is not an attempt to subvert the office of the ministry or to ignore the rite vocatus principle rooted in the Scriptures. This is an effort to increase the active outreach work of God’s people as the church, leading more people to rejoice in Word and Sacrament in the Biblical structure of Church and Ministry we hold to.
1) Are we creating a new “office” for the Missional Worker? To create an entirely new category of worker may cause confusion regarding our current list of ordained and commissioned ministers.
A Missional Worker is not a new ministry “office.” A missional worker is a Christian servant—a lay person—who is being trained and sent into service by a pastor. The goal is to allow lay people to be equipped and sent to their “harvest fields” in order to bring the Good News of Jesus there. This is equivalent to training a small group leader to facilitate a small group study or equipping a lay-leader for visiting people in the hospital.
2) Missional Workers will be sent into new “ministries.” Our confessions speak of Ministry in the context of Word and Sacrament (i.e. Congregations). Is this training meant to be another pathway to ordination? What do you mean by new “ministries”?
The term “ministry” is used in reference to an opportunity to serve (parallel to the Greek word “diakonia”). Of course, under the direction of a pastor, if a group of people gathers steam and develops into a church plant, then the faithful steps would be taken toward a Word and Sacrament ministry.
3) Why is it necessary to train these folks to lead people in prayer, study, serving and worship? Is this a substitute for what our confessions reference when they discuss being “rightly called”?
These folks would be trained to understand and communicate sound Biblical truth, to pray for and with people, to grow in listening skills, and to live lives of godly integrity. It’s the discipleship of lay people to be salt and light in the world—-not apart from the church, but as the body of Christ. Missional Worker Training is not an attempt to subvert the office of the ministry or to ignore the rite vocatus principle rooted in the Scriptures. This is an effort to increase the active outreach work of God’s people as the church, leading more people to rejoice in Word and Sacrament in the Biblical structure of Church and Ministry we hold to.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Possibilities
South Texas will grow by over 600,000 people over the next four years. Population will climb from 6,091,795 people to 6,696,291 people.
How can we bring the Gospel to all who live with no hope in the living Savior, Jesus? Is the challenge impossible? Is the task too great?
Jesus said in Luke 10:2, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Jesus wants us to ask for workers.
What if 10% of everyone who worships in an Area C LCMS congregation steps up to be trained as Missional Worker? That would be over 1600 people.
What if each of those people recruited 3-5 people to become Missional workers after the one-year training? That would result in up to 8000 people reaching out into neighborhoods, schools, nursing homes, moms groups, work-places and more. What if those 8,000 people raised up 3-5 more workers each? Do you realize that in 3-5 years 40,000 people in South Texas could be reaching nearly half a million people with the love of Jesus Christ--reaching people we may have never imagined reaching with the Gospel?
What if the Lord of the harvest sends workers? What if God's people unleash a movement of mission that saturates our state with the transforming news of Christ crucified and risen?
In Luke 10:3 Jesus said, "Go! I am sending you!"
If you're interested in Missional Worker Training, go to www.missionalworker.org.
How can we bring the Gospel to all who live with no hope in the living Savior, Jesus? Is the challenge impossible? Is the task too great?
Jesus said in Luke 10:2, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Jesus wants us to ask for workers.
What if 10% of everyone who worships in an Area C LCMS congregation steps up to be trained as Missional Worker? That would be over 1600 people.
What if each of those people recruited 3-5 people to become Missional workers after the one-year training? That would result in up to 8000 people reaching out into neighborhoods, schools, nursing homes, moms groups, work-places and more. What if those 8,000 people raised up 3-5 more workers each? Do you realize that in 3-5 years 40,000 people in South Texas could be reaching nearly half a million people with the love of Jesus Christ--reaching people we may have never imagined reaching with the Gospel?
What if the Lord of the harvest sends workers? What if God's people unleash a movement of mission that saturates our state with the transforming news of Christ crucified and risen?
In Luke 10:3 Jesus said, "Go! I am sending you!"
If you're interested in Missional Worker Training, go to www.missionalworker.org.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Profiles of Missional Workers
What is a missional worker?
Elsa was a resident in a senior housing center. After receiving communion from her pastor for a few months during monthly visits, she asked him if she could invite others from the housing center to join her for worship in her apartment. The pastor agreed. Soon, ten people were gathering with her for worship each month. Elsa asked the pastor if they could move to the chapel and invite more friends. The pastor happily agreed. Elsa publicized the gathering, made personal invitations, and recruited friends to spread the word. It didn't take long until two-dozen people were worshipping. Residents volunteered for music ministry, ushering, and serving on the altar guild. People were confessing their faith and taking new steps to follow Christ. A satellite church was born--from the zeal of a missional worker.
Jo Ann was passionate about reaching people who were suffering. After some training she launched a "care network." She recruited people to give rides, help with yardwork, cook meals, and send cards to people in need. It didn't take long before hundreds of people were involved. They were reaching thousands for Christ. The card ministry alone transformed the lives of young and old, single people and families. The love of Jesus was spreading far and wide--because a missional worker was sent into action.
Mike wanted to reach 20-something young men. Too many, he noticed were overlooked by the church. Too many were distracted by other things. After some training and sending, Mike invited seven young men to get together with him twice each month so they could talk about life. Five agreed. Every Tuesday evening from 9-11, Mike met with the guys in a local bar--that's where they wanted to gather. They used the time to get to know each other and to talk about what really mattered. Mike made his way into their lives as a friend and helper--in the name of Jesus.
Vianey wanted desperately to reach the children in her neighborhood with Jesus. After going to her pastor for training and support, she began a ministry for children in her home. The outreach developed into ministry to the moms and older siblings as well. Groups meet at her house three times each week to study, sing, fellowship, and serve. Vianey is now taking classes to become a deaconess!
Are you a missional worker? Do you know one? Go to www.missionalworker.org for more information.
Elsa was a resident in a senior housing center. After receiving communion from her pastor for a few months during monthly visits, she asked him if she could invite others from the housing center to join her for worship in her apartment. The pastor agreed. Soon, ten people were gathering with her for worship each month. Elsa asked the pastor if they could move to the chapel and invite more friends. The pastor happily agreed. Elsa publicized the gathering, made personal invitations, and recruited friends to spread the word. It didn't take long until two-dozen people were worshipping. Residents volunteered for music ministry, ushering, and serving on the altar guild. People were confessing their faith and taking new steps to follow Christ. A satellite church was born--from the zeal of a missional worker.
Jo Ann was passionate about reaching people who were suffering. After some training she launched a "care network." She recruited people to give rides, help with yardwork, cook meals, and send cards to people in need. It didn't take long before hundreds of people were involved. They were reaching thousands for Christ. The card ministry alone transformed the lives of young and old, single people and families. The love of Jesus was spreading far and wide--because a missional worker was sent into action.
Mike wanted to reach 20-something young men. Too many, he noticed were overlooked by the church. Too many were distracted by other things. After some training and sending, Mike invited seven young men to get together with him twice each month so they could talk about life. Five agreed. Every Tuesday evening from 9-11, Mike met with the guys in a local bar--that's where they wanted to gather. They used the time to get to know each other and to talk about what really mattered. Mike made his way into their lives as a friend and helper--in the name of Jesus.
Vianey wanted desperately to reach the children in her neighborhood with Jesus. After going to her pastor for training and support, she began a ministry for children in her home. The outreach developed into ministry to the moms and older siblings as well. Groups meet at her house three times each week to study, sing, fellowship, and serve. Vianey is now taking classes to become a deaconess!
Are you a missional worker? Do you know one? Go to www.missionalworker.org for more information.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Workers
I heard this morning that the United States is one trillion pounds overweight. That's a lot of pounds per person. You can do the math.
In contrast to that estimate, we also have more diets, food supplements, websites, and talk shows devoted to the weight issue than any place in the world. We talk so much about weight loss and healthy eating. Thousands upon thousands of dollars are spent to study weight loss. The National Football League is pushing 60 minutes of exercise each day for kids in order to curb obesity in children. We're fixated on losing weight!
But it doesn't seem to be working.
Why? I think I have an idea.
There was a time when most people packed lunches and cooked their supper. There was a little window during the day when you had to get your hands on a couple of pieces of bread, dig some peanut butter and jelly out of the refrigerator, find a knife, put it all together in a sandwich, pack the sandwich in something to keep it fresh, then tuck the little package into a lunch bag. In addition to the sandwich, you had to have access to an apple or orange, and maybe a few potato chips, and pack those in the lunch bag, too.
Yes, this really happened.
There was also a time during the day when someone in the house cooked food for the dwellers of the house. It may have been a pot roast or some pork chops. It could have been spaghetti or even some hamburger helper. But at a designated time of day, supper was prepared and eaten--a home-cooked meal.
But this took work. It took time. You even had to do some menu planning and grocery shopping. Yes, more work.
People don't want to do the work anymore. It's easier to have someone else prepare the meal and hand it to you through a drive-thru window. No shopping. No preparation. No walking. No exertion. Just a credit card and voila! No work.
Jesus said in Luke 10:2, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Workers. We live in a day and age when the desire to do work is fading. We pay people to do things. We find convenient ways of avoiding work but still realizing a result. Our culture loves to talk ABOUT getting things done. Our culture loves to play games and work at having fun. But, according to Jesus, the Kingdom of God needs workers.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is creating a strong desire in believers to serve God and help expand His Kingdom. I know that there are people out there who are ready to do the work, the hard and wonderful work of the Gospel. I am convinced that Jesus' promise of a prevailing Church is true and Jesus' call to pray for workers will result in a harvest beyond all we can ask for or imagine.
But we need to hear Jesus' words carefully. We need to remember that Kingdom growth takes work. It takes workers. We need to ask for workers--in prayer and in settings where we gather with Christians. We need to be bold about the sacrifice and effort and gifts needed from believers for the sake of Kingdom expansion. We need to recruit the people of God to be about the worthy work of bringing the Good News of Jesus to others--not as professionals (we need them, too), but as workers who make the Kingdom harvest part of the fabric of their lives.
Without workers an inadequate Kingdom diet that threatens the health of the Church may be the result.
Workers wanted. Workers to be trained and sent. Missional Worker Training is ready to help.
In contrast to that estimate, we also have more diets, food supplements, websites, and talk shows devoted to the weight issue than any place in the world. We talk so much about weight loss and healthy eating. Thousands upon thousands of dollars are spent to study weight loss. The National Football League is pushing 60 minutes of exercise each day for kids in order to curb obesity in children. We're fixated on losing weight!
But it doesn't seem to be working.
Why? I think I have an idea.
There was a time when most people packed lunches and cooked their supper. There was a little window during the day when you had to get your hands on a couple of pieces of bread, dig some peanut butter and jelly out of the refrigerator, find a knife, put it all together in a sandwich, pack the sandwich in something to keep it fresh, then tuck the little package into a lunch bag. In addition to the sandwich, you had to have access to an apple or orange, and maybe a few potato chips, and pack those in the lunch bag, too.
Yes, this really happened.
There was also a time during the day when someone in the house cooked food for the dwellers of the house. It may have been a pot roast or some pork chops. It could have been spaghetti or even some hamburger helper. But at a designated time of day, supper was prepared and eaten--a home-cooked meal.
But this took work. It took time. You even had to do some menu planning and grocery shopping. Yes, more work.
People don't want to do the work anymore. It's easier to have someone else prepare the meal and hand it to you through a drive-thru window. No shopping. No preparation. No walking. No exertion. Just a credit card and voila! No work.
Jesus said in Luke 10:2, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Workers. We live in a day and age when the desire to do work is fading. We pay people to do things. We find convenient ways of avoiding work but still realizing a result. Our culture loves to talk ABOUT getting things done. Our culture loves to play games and work at having fun. But, according to Jesus, the Kingdom of God needs workers.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is creating a strong desire in believers to serve God and help expand His Kingdom. I know that there are people out there who are ready to do the work, the hard and wonderful work of the Gospel. I am convinced that Jesus' promise of a prevailing Church is true and Jesus' call to pray for workers will result in a harvest beyond all we can ask for or imagine.
But we need to hear Jesus' words carefully. We need to remember that Kingdom growth takes work. It takes workers. We need to ask for workers--in prayer and in settings where we gather with Christians. We need to be bold about the sacrifice and effort and gifts needed from believers for the sake of Kingdom expansion. We need to recruit the people of God to be about the worthy work of bringing the Good News of Jesus to others--not as professionals (we need them, too), but as workers who make the Kingdom harvest part of the fabric of their lives.
Without workers an inadequate Kingdom diet that threatens the health of the Church may be the result.
Workers wanted. Workers to be trained and sent. Missional Worker Training is ready to help.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Giving it Away
I was visiting an Area C church a little while back. The pastor mentioned to me that the church has a practice of giving 25% of its offerings to missions.
The church is not a "mega-church." The church doesn't sponsor conferences. The church doesn't try to be famous. But it is being bold, faithful, and outreaching. The church is hearing Christ's call and rejoicing in the blessings of being in mission.
I wonder if we have glamorized distractions. What if every church decided that instead of figuring out the "magic bullet" to "get the youth" or increase numbers or fit in with the latest church trends, it simply would determine to give itself away--boldly and radically.
The church I mentioned above gives money to many ministries. It also serves its own community with time and talent. A mission focus develops missional servants. A mission focus sends people out with the greatest news anyone could ever hear: Jesus is Savior. Jesus brings life.
I suspect there are droves of people in churches and in communities waiting for an invitation to bold mission.
What if we walked the talk and took the risk of being sold out for the Great Commission? What if we challenged people to the glorious and high calling of serving Jesus? What if we invited people to participate boldly in mission and ministry?
Missional Worker Training is coming to Area C of the Texas District. The goal is to recruit, train, and send workers into the harvest field.
What might happen if we are determined to give it away? What might the Lord do?
The church is not a "mega-church." The church doesn't sponsor conferences. The church doesn't try to be famous. But it is being bold, faithful, and outreaching. The church is hearing Christ's call and rejoicing in the blessings of being in mission.
I wonder if we have glamorized distractions. What if every church decided that instead of figuring out the "magic bullet" to "get the youth" or increase numbers or fit in with the latest church trends, it simply would determine to give itself away--boldly and radically.
The church I mentioned above gives money to many ministries. It also serves its own community with time and talent. A mission focus develops missional servants. A mission focus sends people out with the greatest news anyone could ever hear: Jesus is Savior. Jesus brings life.
I suspect there are droves of people in churches and in communities waiting for an invitation to bold mission.
What if we walked the talk and took the risk of being sold out for the Great Commission? What if we challenged people to the glorious and high calling of serving Jesus? What if we invited people to participate boldly in mission and ministry?
Missional Worker Training is coming to Area C of the Texas District. The goal is to recruit, train, and send workers into the harvest field.
What might happen if we are determined to give it away? What might the Lord do?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Missional Worker Training
In 2010, a new phase of the "Mission 200" effort will begin in Area C of the Texas District. It's called "Missional Worker Training." Following Jesus’ words in Luke 10:2 to “ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field,” Missional Worker Training will seek to RECRUIT, TRAIN, SEND, and ENCOURAGE missional workers who will start new ministries. This effort will multiply possibilities of ministry expansion and help create a missional movement in Texas.
Who will lead the effort?
As a next step of the M2C effort in the Texas District, the Area C MMF and Area C pastors will combine efforts to implement this training.
What will Missional Workers do?
A Missional Worker is a new or veteran believer who is eager to reach out and is willing to reach a specific group of people or ministry area. This may include home study/worship groups; ministry to men, women, children, and youth; outreach to the “least of these” in neighborhoods or care facilities; leading a “church within a church” ministry, and more.
When will training start?
The goal is to begin Missional Worker Training in the first four months of 2010.
Where will the training be held?
Target areas are: the greater Austin area, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and the Rio Grande Valley. Local churches will host the training.
How will Missional Workers be trained?
After being accepted into the program through an application and interview process, an initial one-day seminar led by the MMF and pastors will bring each missional worker a solid foundation of faith understanding, along with unfolding the specific mission plan of each worker. Monthly training gatherings will follow. After the 12-month program and certification, a Missional Worker may elect to take the next step of training by pursuing deacon/deaconess or SMP coursework.
If you or someone you know would be interested in this training, please contact me at mnewman@txdistlcms.org.
Who will lead the effort?
As a next step of the M2C effort in the Texas District, the Area C MMF and Area C pastors will combine efforts to implement this training.
What will Missional Workers do?
A Missional Worker is a new or veteran believer who is eager to reach out and is willing to reach a specific group of people or ministry area. This may include home study/worship groups; ministry to men, women, children, and youth; outreach to the “least of these” in neighborhoods or care facilities; leading a “church within a church” ministry, and more.
When will training start?
The goal is to begin Missional Worker Training in the first four months of 2010.
Where will the training be held?
Target areas are: the greater Austin area, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and the Rio Grande Valley. Local churches will host the training.
How will Missional Workers be trained?
After being accepted into the program through an application and interview process, an initial one-day seminar led by the MMF and pastors will bring each missional worker a solid foundation of faith understanding, along with unfolding the specific mission plan of each worker. Monthly training gatherings will follow. After the 12-month program and certification, a Missional Worker may elect to take the next step of training by pursuing deacon/deaconess or SMP coursework.
If you or someone you know would be interested in this training, please contact me at mnewman@txdistlcms.org.
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