T.I.M.E. - Together in Mission Engagement

God is at work in our world. God called Abraham to follow and formed a new people. God used Moses to lead his people to freedom. God sent Jesus to bring salvation and show the world a new way. Jesus commissioned his ragtag group of followers to continue His mission, God’s mission in this world.

We as the church, the heirs of those disciples, continue to have a mission in this world, Jesus mission. But as congregations, we sometimes to lose focus. We know what it means to try and keep the doors open, the bills paid and worship happening on the weekend, but what exactly is the Church’s mission? What is our congregation’s mission?

Many congregations across the country struggle with these questions. It is something that occasionally keeps leaders and pastors awake at night. “Are we really doing what God wants us to? Isn’t there something more that we are called to be, or to do?” These people are raising the question of mission. But many individuals and congregations ignore that tug at their heart, and just keep being a church club, until they slowly slip into insignificance.

You are reading this, because you are not ignoring that tug at your heart! God is excited. You are starting to ask the right questions. You are beginning to be open to the vision for mission that God wants to give to you, the mission that He is preparing for you.

The Northern Illinois Synod has initiated a process called T.I.M.E. that congregations can choose to be a part of that will help them recapture God’s mission for their church.
 

TIME involves the following components:

• Starts September 2006 and runs through May 2007 -- (9 months)

• Led by a Congregational Mission Team (5-8 people plus the Pastor)

• 1 Retreat for Pastors (July/August) and 4 Saturday retreats: August, November, February, and: April, which is for individual congregation) for the Congregational Mission Team (CMT). There is also a reunion gathering in September of 2007.

• Flexible resources that will engage the whole congregation in learning, prayer, reflection and action.

• Monthly lunch gatherings and/or conference calls for Pastors, providing support, encouragement and resources for their leadership in the congregation.
   

How will our congregation be different at the end of this process?

• You will have a renewed clarity and excitement for what God is doing and wants to do in your congregation.

• You will have a clear plan for what next steps God is calling you to.

• You will have created congregational support for these next steps.

• You will have begun to act in new ways as a congregation, and have some new practices in place that will be welcoming and refreshing for new and old alike.

Saturday Retreats and CMT Congregational Projects

July, 2006 Pastor’s Retreat (date to be determined)

August 26, 2006 Congregational Heritage, Congregational Context
At this first Wind-up Conference, your team will:
1) Share in inspiring worship
2) Hear a clearly articulated mission call
3) Reflect on the current situation of your congregation
4) Hear from a Pastor/leader who has helped invigorate a mission focus in their congregation
5) Receive detailed plans for how to conduct a Congregational Heritage Event and a Congregational Context event.
Your team will leave inspired to dig into what comes next.

September – December
CMT on-site activities:
1) Create publicity for TIME process
2) Study together
3) Pick dates for Congregational Heritage Event & Congregational Context Event
a. Focus: Celebrate how God has used them to serve His purposes in the past, and Re-discover the current context that God has called them to.
4) Prepare materials for these events
5) Conduct a Hospitality Checklist
6) Prepare Christmas outreach materials.

November 11, 2006 Re-Discovering God’s Mission for Us
At this Second Wind-up Conference, your CMT will:
1) Share in inspiring worship
2) Hear a hand’s on Mission Leader’s story
3) Receive further input on “How to live God’s mission today”,
4) Receive resources and strategies to launch 6-week small group Bible studies in your congregation
a. “Why did God call Abraham…and how does He call you?” etc.
b. These will be offered during January and February.

November – January
CMT on-site activities:
1) Complete on-going activities
2) Recruit Small Group Leaders
3) Publicize Congregation wide small group opportunities
4) Launch Small Groups in January

February 3, 2007 Where Do We Go Now?
At this Third Wind-up Conference, your CMT will:
1) Share in inspiring worship
2) Hear a hand’s on Mission Leader’s story
3) Learn effective strategies that are moving congregations forward today.
4) Receive plans for conducting a congregation wide survey
5) Receive specific plans for leading a congregational leaders’ retreat that will map out your goals and strategies for the next 1-2 years.

March - May
CMT on-site activities
1) Develop and conduct congregational survey
2) Produce Easter outreach material
3) Plan for and hold congregational leaders retreat

April 21st or 28th Congregational Leader’s Retreat
This retreat each congregation will host on its own, involving the CMT, Church Council and possibly a few other key leaders. A detailed outline for this retreat will be provided along with specific instructions in how to make it a successful event.

May- July
CMT on-site activities
1) Write SMART goals that will guide your congregation’s work
2) Hold congregational meeting/celebration to affirm and move forward on new goals.
3) Assign goals to individuals to oversee the implementation of new congregational vision and plan
 

Facilitator

This process is facilitated by Pastor Kendall Koenig, the NIS Congregational Mission Coordinator.  Kendall has served at Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford, developed a new congregation (Living Hope) in Frankfort Illinois, and is currently Senior Pastor at Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Algonquin.

Cost

Cost: The cost for participation in this Congregational Mission Process is based on:
Worship Attendance Enrollment
1 – 100        $500
01 – 200       $600
201 – 300     $700
301 – 400     $800
401 and over $900

We believe that this process can more than pay for itself through a renewed focus on mission. People are excited to give to a congregation that knows its mission, and has specific plans to move forward. People are attracted to congregations that have specific plans to focus beyond themselves. An investment in mission is investment in growth.
 

How do we sign up?
Apply online at www.nisynod.org/resources/time/application.htm