2005 Synod Assembly

Resolution 2005-03:

New Mission Starts in the ELCA

Passed as amended (added text in italics)

WHEREAS, the church has been called to spread the Good News of  Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, there are over 70 million people without churches in the United States today; and

WHEREAS, the starting of new congregations is a good way to spread the Good News; and

WHEREAS, there are many methods for starting new congregations; and

WHEREAS, local expressions of the church (for example, synods and conferences) need to try some of these processes as well as the  current ELCA model for outreach if we are to reach the growing  population of the unchurched; and

WHEREAS, the ELCA has identified specific sites for development of mission starts and redevelopments, yet does not have sufficient numbers of leaders identified as mission developers and redevelopers to do the ministry in those places;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Southeastern Minnesota Synod memorialize the ELCA national assembly to call upon each synod of the ELCA, and upon synodical subdivisions (for example, conferences) where they exist, to work in collaboration with the ELCA Division for Outreach to intentionally work together in outreach and mutual support in a variety of methods to develop and redevelop congregations for people who have no church home; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Southeastern Minnesota Synod memorialize the ELCA national assembly to call upon each synod of the ELCA, and upon synodical subdivisions (for example, conferences) where they exist, to work in collaboration with the ELCA Division for Outreach to either start a congregation or to redevelop an existing congregation every year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Southeastern Minnesota Synod memorialize to the ELCA National Assembly to call upon each synod of the ELCA, and upon synodical subdivisions (for example, conferences) where they exist, to work in collaboration with the ELCA Division for Outreach to identify and raise up missional leaders whom God calls to mission development and redevelopment.

Submitted by Pastor John Heille, approved by the Zumbro River Conference Assembly on 2/13/05 in a previous form.

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