Missional Schools: From students to disciples

(LHM ROC Orlando, FL)

January 14, 2012 Mr. Michael J. Zimmer Assistant to the President for Missional Formation Minnesota South District aka. The WHY man

“Missional” Defined



The members of a “missional congregation” think, plan and act in alignment with the Great Commission .

 The vision, mission, staffing, policies, priorities and budget are intentionally determined in light of the congregation’s role to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with their community.

Questions kids ask…

     Do fish get thirsty? Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

How did the man who invented cottage cheese know he was done? Why did that policeman pick me out of 10 cars for speeding?

Other???

Your current “why’s?”

   Why is the school declining when we are doing such great things with the students and families?

Why don’t these Pre School parents see the need to come to church more?

Why do the church members seem to not support the school like they used to?

Current School Concerns

     Schools closing or going “inactive.” Reduction in Force/Morale Balanced budget but no mission Co-existence with the church Finances and test scores become top priority

LCMS Statistics

    2008-2010 – 177 schools closed (EC. Elementary, HS) Student loss of 15,736 Urban schools hard-hit 24,000 fewer children baptized in 2003 than 1973

Trouble looming?

Weekly Worship Attendance – Large Churches 500-799 Percent of Increase/Decrease from 2000 - 2007 50 40 30 20 10 0 -10 -20 -30 -40 2 2 5 7 25 18 9 4 3 1 -3 -11 -12 -34 -4 -16 0 -4 -50 -60 Includes Elementary School Ministry No Elementary School Ministry >50% Increase 2 2 25-50% Increase 5 7 05-25% Increase 25 18 <5% Increase 9 4 No Change 3 1 <5% Decrease -11 -3 5-25% Decrease -34 -12 25-50% Decrease -16 -4 >50% Decrease -4 0

Understanding the times:

We have an opportunity to re think Lutheran education.

Step One- “Think”

Thinking about ‘why we do what we do’ begins with understanding God’s mission!

What is God’s Mission?

“God...wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.”

1Timothy 2:4

Q:

When you were a child, where was the “mission field?”

What is God’s Mission?

“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

Q:

Where are these places for you?



Jerusalem?

 

Judea?

Samaria?



The ends of the earth?

What is God’s Mission?

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Philippians 2:9

Q:

Who is in your school’s sphere of influence that does not yet KNOW His Grace?

“God’s Mission” will always prevail… “Man’s Mission” will not

The mission of God’s church-

to gather, feed and send those who believe and profess Christ as their Savior as the only way to heaven.

The mission of Man’s “church”

too often becomes about facility, budget, “good works” center, cultural fellowship center, place of learning, or family heritage center .

God’s Mission – or man’s?

God’s Mission • Passion for the Lost • Willingness • The “structure” exists to serve God’s mission • Relationships are about transformed lives Institutional Mission • Concern over how

we

will continue/thrive • Vision competes with budget, rules, policies, facilities • Majority of meeting time spent on budget issues of control • Relationships are about

our

comfort level

But “the school

is

our mission.”

Does this mean:    

For our kids to grow up safe with other Lutheran or Christian kids?

Get our kids ready for Confirmation?

Teach our kids moral living and good deeds?

Teach our kids how to share Jesus with everyone they meet?

What’s the real mission?

    Is the school self-funding?

Are non-members “mission” or “money?” Members get a break in tuition because they give on Sundays?

There is money in child care!

School Model Is Changing

     No longer Lutherans educating their own children for the sake of the church Demographics Financial structure Denominational Loyalty Are we a parochial system?



What Model School Do You Have?

Summary of school types



Parochial- True to Lutheran heritage, mostly serves members of the congregations.



Trend Oriented- True to Lutheran heritage, but looking for a “contemporary” approach.



Mission Minded- Efforts to reflect diversity but challenged with meeting the needs of those “already here.”



Missional- “Great Commission” school… frequent opportunities for service and mission integrated into programs.

What is our preferred future for Lutheran Christian schools?

How is the Lord calling us to share His love through schools?

A Helpful “Thinking” Tool

More Helpful “Thinking” Tools

   “A Missional School What Does This Mean?” “A Missional School Survey” “Missional Schools: Team Ministry Scenarios”

Step Two- Plan

Acting without thinking and planning leads to chaos and misguided energy “Everyone is on a mission…some know what it is”

The problem with vision/mission… “Not that we don’t have ONE but that we have TOO MANY ”   Within the congregation  Within your staff AND Within your own life!!!

Opposing forces drain direction

Technology

“Missionally Aligned”

Technology Team ministry Church Member Parent Relationships Fresh lessons/ideas Grading Papers Family/self Finances

So what does this mean for…

      

Scholarship and enrollment policies Prayer for children AND their parents Comfort zones in witnessing to parents Home visits Faculty room turf wars Bridges into the pastors office My personal discipleship activity

Enrollment

   

Members, other Lutherans, other Christians, others un-churched Members, other Christians, “no church” Members, “no church,” other Christians No church, Members, Others

Tuition

    Members free, Lutherans discount, Others full Members and non members same price. Scholarship based on need.

Members and non-members same price scholarship based on unchurched.

Members non-members same price, tuition free if unchurched

“Religion” “read, learn and inwardly digest ”

   

Pass the test, Do the memory work… Discuss application: “What does this mean?” Put it in practice: “Head, heart and hands” “How is this done?” Live it for Jesus’ sake: “Head, heart, hands, the cross” “Where is this found?”

How can the missional school support the mission of the church?

  

Seize witness opportunities with parents instead of passing them along to pastor School as part of children’s ministry plan Complement rather than compete with budget

A Helpful “Planning” Tool

More Helpful “Planning” Tools

  “A Missional Early Childhood Center Annual Plan” Pre school Parent Focus Group Outline

Step Three- “Act”

1. As a united team- focused on God’s mission 2.

To reach your entire community with the healing balm of Jesus Christ 3.

Modifying what is already being done to better align with God’s mission

Missional Team Ministry

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) How do you partner in God’s mission?

How do you jointly plan missional strategies for “the Lost?” How does God’s Word and prayer affect your team?

How do you share success stories in reaching the Lost?

How do you resolve conflict?

Missional Team ideas

   Prayer box for students and parents, members and non-members Prayer partners outside of your program Have a “coffee with:” 1. Who have you had a chance to share Jesus with?

2. Who are you working with that I need to know about?

3. What are your greatest challenges in ministry?

4. How can I pray for you?

    Conduct (or attend) a Bible study in an area other than “yours.” Attend a community event with one other staff person not in your “program area.” Identify one other ministry in the church to volunteer in for at least one event.

Study (and practice) Biblical Conflict Resolution skills

Do you know YOUR community?

  

The needs of members… The needs of other Christians… The needs of non-Christians…



Be intentional! Design strategies to reach THOSE needs!

Helpful “Acting” Tools

   “Missional Activities for Lutheran Schools” “Building Bridges between the Church and School” “Team Ministry Survey and Planning Form”

“the leaves of the tree are for the healing of all nations.” Rev. 22: 2b “Sharing the healing balm of Jesus Christ with all whom I encounter ”

Want some of these tools?

Request by e-mail: [email protected]

   Reference this workshop Give your name and Church/school Ask for documents by name found in PPT