Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson extended an amazing challenge to the delegates of the churchwide assembly in August. Among other topics that received more attention, deliberation and legislation in Orlando, Bishop Hanson focused for one important moment on a possible initiative surrounding mission development; that is, starting new congregations. “We are a church with clarity about who we are and about our shared commitment to being engaged in God’s mission for the life of the world,” Hanson said in his report to the assembly. “We are a church called to multiply, not divide.”
Then came the concrete challenge to multiply: to launch 100 congregations a year for the next five years as a great way to recognize the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation (in 2017). Although tying this math to the reformation seems more like a church growth marketing scheme than a serious mission strategy, I still welcome this initiative with open arms. More importantly, I want to take his challenge seriously in two ways. First, I want to respond to Bishop Hanson’s challenge by making a challenge of my own—I want to challenge the churchwide expression of the ELCA to back up his challenge with resources, focus and a plan. A denomination of 10,000 congregations should delight in the opportunity of starting 100 congregations a year. Dedicate staff to make this happen. Invest resources to focus the church’s attention; and direct seminaries “and teaching congregations” to call and train this new cadre of mission leaders.
Second, Luther Seminary will dedicate its resources to produce the necessary mission developers the church needs to meet this challenge. We believe that starting new congregations must be an integral part of any national mission strategy today. In order to educate the next generation of mission developers, Luther Seminary created a special program, Congregational Mission and Leadership. As a part of this program, a new website will be launched this fall to both resource these leaders and connect them in creative dialogue about their ministries. The final touches are being completed and we will unveil the new site in November.
The Bible encourages us—even admonishes us—to acts of mission and good works. A healthy church, like any healthy organism, will reproduce. Luther Seminary’s students are preparing to do just that. They are ready; they are eager. Why stop at 100 congregations a year! Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Our students are ready to multiply, not divide.