WHO IS IT FOR?
It is for congregations that want to take a step forward. Special events are often the time when people make new commitments to Christ, when individuals come to assurance of salvation, are filled with the Spirit, or experience an emotional or physical healing. It is also a time when congregations gain new motivation for ministry in the power of the Spirit, when new ministries (such as a healing ministry or an altar prayer ministry) can be launched. Missions help to boost the morale of a congregation, so that a deeper spirit of unity and love is experienced. Lutheran Renewal enjoys ministering in all kinds of congregations-traditional, evangelical, orthodox, charismatic.WHAT CAN A CONGREGATIONAL MISSION ACCOMPLISH?
Anticipation of congregational missions usually builds a spirit of expectancy. This faith pleases God, and He then generously pours out the refreshment of His Spirit. This means that new commitments are made and old commitments are strengthened, like marriage commitments, family commitments, and church commitments.WHAT DOES IT COST?
Host congregations are asked to provide transportation and housing costs. Speakers are happy to be hosted either in a private home or at a motel. Congregations are also encouraged to give an honorarium to the speaker, or to Lutheran Renewal (in the case of the director).WHAT KIND OF TOPICS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MISSIONS?
WHAT SPEAKERS ARE AVAILABLE?
The staff of Lutheran Renewal and a variety of Ministry Associates related to Lutheran Renewal.DO SPEAKERS TRAVEL ALONE OR WITH A TEAM?
Sometimes speakers bring team members along to help in personal ministry. They travel at their own expense, but housing would need to be provided for them. They can be available if there are counseling or ministry needs.WHAT ARE MEETINGS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL MISSIONS LIKE?
They include three primary parts: worship, teaching, and prayer ministry. The worship can be led by the host congregation or, in some cases, by the Lutheran Renewal speaker. We encourage a time of lively and inspiring praise before each teaching. Messages are usually followed by a time of prayer according to the needs of the people and the emphasis of the message. We would encourage prayer ministers from the host congregation to be involved in prayer ministry if they are prepared to do so. Training for this could come by having a special meeting with potential prayer ministers before the mission begins. When possible, we would encourage the same three elements as a part of the Sunday morning worship service. Churches have found that it is beneficial to drop some of their normal morning activities to give more room for the special emphasis.
ARE BULLETINS NEEDED FOR RENEWAL MEETINGS?
No. The format is so simple that a bulletin is not needed. Sometimes renewal speakers will provide sermon notes for their talks.WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE HOST CONGREGATION?
BEFORE..
The more a congregation does in preparation, the more beneficial will be the mission. Here are some recommendations: Pray regularly for the mission. (Praying for it at the Sunday morning service will increase awareness and expectancy). Send information from the congregation to help LR understand the life of the congregation (bulletins, church constitution, mission statement, directory, etc.). Advertise the event widely. Make sure the leadership is on board and fully supportive. It is effective for the leadership to meet together and discuss expectations for the renewal event as well as follow-up. Pastors who want to use their people in the prayer ministry may want to order "Guidelines for Prayer Ministry".DURING...
Broad congregational participation the event.
Provide a table for display of Lutheran Renewal resources. Some are free, others are for sale. A basket is placed on the table to receive the money from those wishing to purchase books, booklets or tapes.AFTER...
Follow-up as agreed upon by the leadership. We would encourage testimonies of the renewal event the following Sunday in church. We would encourage those who attend renewal events to write out what the weekend meant to them. Testimonies could be printed in a newsletter. A small group could be started following the weekend to help encourage ongoing renewal.Some congregations agree to pray for the ministry of Lutheran Renewal. The director sends them a monthly prayer letter by e-mail so that they can follow the ministry.
Some congregations choose to maintain an ongoing relationship with Lutheran Renewal. They connect regularly with the speaker about an update on how the congregation is growing in renewal.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR A MISSION?
The schedule is flexible. Consult with the guest speaker. Some prefer a Friday night or Saturday morning to Sunday morning event. Others prefer to start on Sunday and go through Monday or Tuesday. A meeting with the leadership body would be beneficial before the beginning of the mission.WHAT KIND OF FOLLOW-UP IS EXPECTED LONG-RANGE?
Renewal weekends often open the door for new potential. A follow up conference can be even more effective in bringing desired renewal. We encourage congregations to have periodic renewal events.HOW OFTEN SHOULD CONGREGATIONS HAVE MISSIONS?
Some congregations like to have a yearly time for special meetings When I was a pastor in San Pedro, we had several a year. If the benefit is so positive, why limit it to once a year'? If congregational participation is good, the events often pay for themselves so the crunch on the budget can be minimal.WHAT DOES LUTHERAN RENEWAL HAVE TO OFFER THAT IS SPECIAL?
Lutheran Renewal offers a particular emphasis that flows out of its mission statement "to bear witness to the person and power of the Holy Spirit. Lutheran Renewal invites congregations and individuals to a dependence upon the Holy Spirit in all that it does, in its worship, its teaching, and its outreach. Spirit-empowered ministry is a critical need in the Church today. "Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit, says the Lord."WHAT ARE THE VALUES OF LUTHERAN RENEWAL?
Lutheran Renewal...
calls people to a believing use of the Holy Scripture.
encourages believers to live in dependence upon the Spirit.
invites people to be filled with the Spirit in answer to prayer.
challenges individuals & congregations to fulfill their mission to make disciples.
invites people to Spirit-inspired worship in response to God's grace in Christ.
ARE THERE ANY LIABILITIES OF HAVING A RENEWAL EVENT?
Yes. If there is no follow-up, it can actually have a negative effect. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Proverbs 13:12). Sometimes missions give people hope that they will now have more prayer ministry or a healing service or more lively worship. If these expectations are not met or addressed in the months that follow, people can grow weary of waiting and get discouraged.Another liability is the potential of disunity. Some people will respond positively to a renewal-based ministry. If others are resistant, the disunity following a mission could be more marked than before. We encourage you to discuss these concerns with the speaker in the planning stages of the event in order to minimize their effect by forward-looking leadership.
SO WHAT WILL LUTHERAN RENEWAL AGREE TO DO?
We will provide a speaker and help plan the theme and schedule for the event in consultation with the pastor and church leadership. We will send the articles that need to be read and make the materials available that need to be ordered. We will pray for the renewal event and for the follow-up. We will stay in contact with the host church according to the pastor's desires.CONGREGATIONAL PROFILE
(Here are some questions a pastor may wish to answer to help LR with a profile of the congregation.)
How many worship with you on a typical Sunday morning?
Do most of the Sunday attenders have assurance of salvation?
What is the leadership structure of the congregation? For instance, would you describe your congregation as pastor-led or council-led?
How would you describe the spiritual history of the congregation?
What words would you use to describe the congregation right now? (Vital, growing, evangelistic, ingrown, tradition-bound, etc.)
How familiar is the congregation with the work of the Spirit? With Lutheran Renewal?
Have you had renewal events in your church before? If so, what were the results?
What is your worship style?
What are the biggest obstacles to spiritual renewal in your congregation?
Do you have hopes for these obstacles to be overcome? If so, how?
What would your hopes be for a renewal event? What would you like to see happen?
