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How Can I Help?

The nine Lutheran churches of Eau Claire hope to provide leadership for the establishment of a new congregation.  The background research is complete and the need for another church is compelling.

During 2001, each congregation in Eau Claire (and throughout our synod) will be asking its members to make three-year financial commitments to this crucial ministry venture.

First Lutheran has designated April 29 as Rainbow Sunday – the Sunday when we hope to have our appeal completed and individual commitments made.

Watch for further information.  Be informed.  Pray for a strong mission start.  Consider how you will financially support the new church.

The rainbow is a symbol of new beginnings and the promises of God.  May a new Lutheran church be the beginning of blessings for thousands, steeped in the promises of God!

The Time is Ripe . . .               Again!
T
he 1940's and 1950's saw tremendous growth in Eau Claire.  During this time, new Lutheran churches were built in order to reflect the increase in population.  The last new congregation established in Eau Claire was in 1954 when The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd came into being.

The Chippewa Valley is experiencing another explosion of growth.  In 1990, the population of the Valley was just over 85,000.  The present population is estimated to be as high as 125,000!
														
History is repeating itself, and the time is ripe to start another Lutheran congregation.
										
Even though there are already nine ELCA congregations in Eau Claire, existing congregations cannot minister to the huge increase in population.  Local ELCA churches, with the support of the NW Synod of Wisconsin, have plans underway to start another Lutheran congregation in Eau Claire.

Common Questions
Why start another church?
     The Chippewa Valley has experienced tremendous growth in the last 20 years.  The ELCA congregations of Eau Claire are all thriving but cannot accommodate or serve the expanded population.

What impact will a new congregation have?
     Fact:  If you start a new church, new people will become involved who would not otherwise join an established congregation.  Most of us see this phenomenon in our own churches.  It is very difficult to involve new people in existing congregational ministries because they must “break into” existing structures and social groupings.  If you want to involve new people, you usually need to start a new ministry.
     The same dynamic happens when starting congregations.  Those who join new churches do so because they want to be part of building a new ministry and have the opportunity to give shape to its identity and direction.

Will existing EC churches lose members because of a mission church?
     No!  Current members have loyalty to their present community of faith and will be more interested in supporting a new ministry than becoming part of it.  Just think: our common goal is to introduce people to Jesus Christ and involve them in a community of faith.  A new church in Eau Claire will be a significant step in meeting that common goal!

When will the new Lutheran congregation be established?
     If 2001 is spent planning and securing funding, the first worship service for the new church could begin the fall of 2002.  A mission developer pastor would be called about six months in advance of the first service.

Where will the new congregation be located?
     The city of Eau Claire anticipates 600 homes to be built on the west side of the city in the next two years.  Water, sewer, utilities and streets are being extended in this direction to accommodate the growth that is already underway.
     The new church will meet in a temporary facility probably on the west side for five or six years before planning for a permanent facility.  Where that new building will go will depend upon further development in Eau Claire and the decision of the new church.

How will the new church be funded?
     The nine congregations in Eau Claire will provide a significant portion of the start up costs.  The first three years will require lots of help while the new congregation grows and seeks to become more and more self-reliant.
     The 200+ congregations in the NW Synod of Wisconsin will be encouraged to establish “mission partner” relationships during the initial years.  In addition, the ELCA has limited supplemental funds that we hope to direct to Eau Claire; this supplemental funding is likely if we can establish strong local support.

How many people in Eau Claire worship?
	Out of 120,000 in the Chippewa Valley, total worship attendance each Sunday is only 38,000. It is estimated that if lutheran and non-Lutheran churches immediately doubled their worship attencance, 44,000 people would still be unchurhed!