A
A New Beginning for
Mission  2001

Building a Strong Financial Base

In order to be ready to receive a mission developer pastor by the spring of 2002, providing a solid financial base for the new mission congregation will take place during 2001.  There are three primary sources of funding:
	
	 Primary Sources of Funding   			Time Frame for Appeals     
	Local Congregations of Eau Claire			March to December 2001
	NW Synod of Wisconsin Mission Partnerships		May to December 2001
	ELCA Mission Support					November 2001 to March 2002

I.  Lutheran Congregations of Eau Claire 
	During the first 1900 years of Christianity, local churches planted new congregations whenever and wherever they were needed.  Between World War II and 1990, the national church assumed that historic role.  Now, the national church starts very few congregations each year, and local communities of faith are again taking the lead in establishing new churches just as they have done for most of the history of the Christian church.  The nine Lutheran congregations of Eau Claire have the opportunity to provide this historic leadership in the Chippewa Valley.
	Eau Claire congregations are encouraged to conduct an advance commitment that concludes prior to the Synod Assembly May 31–June 2, 2001.  As part of a resolution encouraging other synod congregations to form mission partnerships, we’d like to announce the total of the advance commitments at the Synod Assembly to demonstrate the solid support of the Lutheran churches in Eau Claire.
	A general appeal to all members of congregations could take place fall 2001.  It is hoped that all Eau Claire congregations will provide an opportunity for their members to support the start of a new Lutheran church.

II.  NW Synod of Wisconsin Mission Partnerships
	At the Synod Assembly, a resolution will be presented encouraging synod congregations to establish mission partnerships with the new church start.  Because this is the first new church in our local synod since the inception of the ELCA in 1988 (and the first in Eau Claire in 45 years), we hope many congregations will seek to be part of this first-time venture of mission through partnership support.

III.  ELCA Mission Support
	In prior years, our denomination established and funded nearly all new congregations.  Those days are long gone!  The ELCA currently funds new church starts in one of two ways:   Each year, four or five new congregations receive significant financial support—typically in rapidly growing areas such as Arizona, Florida, or Nevada.  These strategic churches grow very quickly and require minimal financial support for a limited amount of time.  The second level of financial support provided by the ELCA is assistance to new church starts which have significant local financial backing.  Churchwide only supplements the efforts of local congregations and synods.  The Eau Claire churches and the mission partnerships of the NW Synod of Wisconsin need to demonstrate their commitment to starting a new church.  A strong showing of support “encourages” our denomination to provide supplemental funds.

Developing An Appeal Strategy For Your Congregation
	Because of the mission status of the new congregation and the time required so that a growing membership can support itself, three-year commitments are needed in the fund raising efforts that take place in congregations.  Givers need to be aware that it takes a period of time before a new church can become self-sufficient.  Because of the projected explosion of growth and the significant potential in Eau Claire, we hope that a three-year commitment will provide most of the funding needed for this new church.  If further support is needed, it will be significantly less in the future.

	Most effective appeals go through two or three phases.  As an example, First Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, will conduct a three-phase appeal as described below:

I.  Advance Commitment Phase
	In the first phase of fund raising, the most mission-minded persons of significant financial means are assembled at the church or in a home.  These are the folks who have historically been generous to mission causes.  First Lutheran will target 15 to 20 of those persons/couples capable of leadership level gifts.  The leadership level gifts are crucial, not only because of the amount committed, but because these commitments generate excitement and model for others the desired support.  Typically, a specific amount is not suggested to those who are in the advance commitment phase.  The advance commitment phase must be done or results will be severely diminished.

II.   Gatherings Phase
	The second phase involves those who are unable to provide leadership level gifts of the advanced commitment phase, but who will likely give more than the average congregational member.  First Lutheran hopes to identify somewhere around 50 individuals/couples and invite them to one of a number of small group gatherings.  Those who attend a phase two gathering will be encouraged to support the new mission congregation with gifts of $1000 or more per year for three years.  Obviously, some will not be able to make the suggested commitment, but will be encouraged to support as they are able.  The advance commitment total is announced at each of these gatherings to provide encouragement.  Some congregations may choose to have only an advance commitment phase and a congregational phase.

III.   Congregational Phase
	The last phase is to invite every member of the congregation to support the new mission church for a period of three years.  First Lutheran will mail commitment cards to all members and ask that they be returned on a specific Sunday.  For those who forget their cards, a card will be present in every worship bulletin.  First Lutheran will likely have members bring their commitments forward not unlike the procedure in Consecration Sunday.  The commitment totals from the advance commitment and gathering phases will be announced leading up to the Sunday when commitment cards are received.

The effectiveness of the appeal will be determined by the strength of pastoral leadership, the thoroughness of the appeal, and whether or not specific giving groups are identified and appropriately encouraged.  The greatest success will occur when utilizing all three phases in your congregation.  Those pastors and congregational leaders who conduct the appeal will be responsible for providing ample information about the mission start and generating excitement and support.

Note: 	Because First Lutheran also plans to help Luther Park Bible Camp with its debt reduction, all three of the above phases will be conducted before the summer of 2001 so that a camp emphasis can take place in the fall.

First Lutheran Church - A Specific Strategy and Time Line

Helpful principles:
	 Identify two or three segments of the congregation and target each in individual ways
	 Create informational material which is attractive and easy to read.  Consider producing color
 	    material for the advance commitment phase since it is of limited quantity.
	 Utilize bulletin inserts and covers, prayer petitions, banners, temple talks, newsletter articles,
 	    brochures, book markers, info sessions, etc. so that a “flood” of information is provided.
	 Numerous congregational mailings are encouraged.  This reveals the importance of the appeal. 
 	    Information “overkill” is usually necessary in order for everyone to be fully engaged in the appeal.
	 Leaders of the appeal must be mission-minded and fully supportive of the new church start. 
 	   Anyone with hesitancy should not be placed in a position of leadership.
	 Involve as many people as possible in the appeal.  This allows many to have “ownership” in the
 	   effort (phone calls, banner making, publicity, temple talks, etc.)
		
February
      When         	                                 What                                         	      Who     
     7 - Wednesday	Ask group to make “Rainbow ” banner (need March 11)		Duane/Bonnie
   13 - Tuesday		Review Strategy and Time Line with Council			Duane/Roger
   14 - Wednesday	Place order for Rainbow envelopes to be included in offering packets	Duane/Joan
   			Create three-year commitment cards				Duane
   15 - Thursday		Submit article for March 1 First Word newsletter			Duane
   			Meet with Roger to determine reservation committee; identify 	Duane/Roger
			     advance commitment folks; determine phase two folks
   			Contact Fellowship Committee (forewarn about gatherings on	Roger/Kathy
			     Mar 18, April 1, 4, 5)
   28 - Wednesday	Prepare advance commitment info piece (mail Mar. 5)		Duane
			Make plans for rainbow arch spanning chancel on April 29	Worship Comm.   
March
      When         	                                 What                                         	      Who     
     1 - Thursday		Congregation receives newsletter with article
     5 - Monday		Mail info piece to advance commitment folks			Secretaries
     			Prepare advance commitment invitation letter (mail Mar. 9)		Duane/Roger
     9 - Friday		Mail advance commitment invitation letter				Secretaries
   11 - Sunday		Rainbow banner is hung up					Bonnie/custodian
   12 - Monday		Mail History of EC Congregations brochure			Duane/Sec.
   13 - Tuesday		Ask prayer group to remember effort in prayer			Barb LeCleir
   13 - 15 Tue-Th	Phone advance commitment folks to confirm attendance		Roger/other?
   15 - Thursday		Submit article for April 1 First Word newsletter			Roger
   			Phone Fellowship Committee with total attending on Mar. 18		Roger
   18 - Sunday		Use rainbow mission logo as worship bulletin cover			Duane
   			6:30 pm - Advance Commitment Gathering			Duane
   19 - Monday		Prepare phase two gathering invitations (mail Mar. 23)		Duane/Roger
   19 - 21 Mon-Wed	Recruit reservation committee (will meet Mar. 25, 6:30 pm)		Roger
   23 - Friday		Mail phase two gathering invitations				Secretaries
   25 - Sunday		6:30 pm - train reservation callers and provide names to phone	Duane/Roger
			Advance Commitment folks return their commitment cards
			Bishop Robert Berg preaches
   27 - 30 Tues-Fri	Reservation callers make phone calls to phase two folks		Res. Callers
   27 - Tuesday		Ask prayer group to pray for effort					Barb LeCleir
   29 - Thursday		Thank you notes are sent to advance commitment folks		Joan
			Follow up letter to advance commitment folks who did not return card
   30 - Friday		Deadline for reservation committee to phone Roger concerning	Roger
			attendance totals for phase two gatherings (Roger calls Fellowship Comm)

April
      When         	                                 What                                         	      Who     
     1 - Sunday		Use rainbow mission logo as worship bulletin cover			Duane
			Bulletin insert #1
			Temple Talk - perhaps a person from Trinity remembering their start	Roger
			4:30 pm and 6:30 pm - Phase Two Gathering			Duane/Roger
     2 - Monday		Congregation receives First Word newsletter article
			Prepare brochures #1 and #2 to be mailed on Apr. 11 and 18		Duane
			Prepare rainbow book markers for Easter Sunday (in bulletins)	Duane
     5 - Thursday		6:30 pm - Phase Two Gathering					Duane/Roger
     8 - Sunday		Bulletin insert #2						Duane
			Commitment cards are received from phase two gathering folks
   11 - Wednesday	Brochure #1 mailed to entire congregation				Secretaries
   12 - Thursday		Thank you notes are sent to phase two gathering folks		Joan
			Send follow up letter to those phase two folks not returning card	Duane
   15 - Easter Sunday	Bulletin insert #3 and Rainbow Book Markers in bulletins		Duane
   17 - Tuesday		Submit article for May 1 First Word newsletter			Duane
			Create a Great Commission liturgy for April 29 use			Duane/musicians
   18 - Wednesday	Mail brochure #2 to entire congregation				Secretaries
			Prepare follow up letter to those not returning commitment cards	Duane
   22 - Sunday		Bulletin insert #4 and Temple Talk				Duane/Roger
			9:05 am Adult Ed class on the new mission start			Duane
   23 - Monday		Mail commitment cards and cover letter to entire membership	Duane/Sec.
   24 - Tuesday		Ask prayer group to pray for effort					Duane
   29 - Sunday		Rainbow - New Beginnings Sunday - Congregational Phase
			Rainbow bulletin cover; liturgy with Great Commission emphasis
			Commitment Cards in worship bulletin
			Rainbow made of balloons across front of chancel			Worship Comm.

May
      When         	                                 What                                         	      Who     
     1 - Tuesday		Congregation receives First Word newsletter article
     3 - Thursday		Follow up mailing to all who did not return commitment card	Duane
			     with enclosed commitment card
     4 - Friday		Thank you notes sent to those who returned commitment cards	Joan/Jodi
     6 - Sunday		Report results of initial commitments during Sunday announcements	Duane
   15 - Tuesday		Submit First Word newsletter article				Duane
   
   . . . Ongoing reports and updates; prayer petitions on Sunday mornings; provide copy of approved resolution
         from synod assembly, etc. . . . anything that gives continuing visibility to the new mission congregation.

   May 31–June 2:  Synod Assembly

Task Outline for Each Appeal Phase

Advance Commitment Phase

	February
	     7	Contact Fellowship Committee about serving dessert on March 18, 6:30 pm
	   14	Create and print three-year commitment cards
	   15	Identify those who are to be included in the advance commitment phase
	   28	Prepare advance commitment mailing (mail March 5)
	March
	     5	Mail info piece to advance commitment people
		Prepare advance commitment invitation letter for March 18 gathering
	     9	Mail advance commitment invitation letter
	   13-15	Phone advance commitment folks to confirm attendance
	   18	Advance Commitment Gathering
	   25	Advance commitment folks return their commitment cards in Sunday offering
	   29	Thank you notes are sent to advance commitment folks
	     	Follow up letter to advance commitment folks who did not return commitment card

Gatherings Phase
	February
	   15	Identify those who are to be included in the phase two gatherings
	March
	   19	Prepare phase two gathering invitations (mail March 23)
	   19-21	Recruit reservation committee (who meet March 25, 6:30 pm)
	   23	Mail phase two gathering invitations
	   25	6:30 pm - train reservation committee and provide names for making phone calls
		Bishop Robert Berg preaches at all three worship services
	   27-30	Reservation committee makes phone calls to phase two folks
	   30	Deadline for reservation committee members to phone Roger with totals of those attending
		Roger calls Fellowship Committee with the totals
	April
	     1	4:30 and 6:30 pm – Phase Two Gatherings
	     5	6:30 pm – Phase Two Gathering
	     8	Phase two gathering folks return commitment cards at Sunday worship
	   12	Thank you notes are sent to phase two gathering folks
		Send follow up letter to those phase two gathering folks who did not return commitment card

Congregational Phase

	April
	     2	Prepare brochures #1 and #2 to be mailed on April 11 and 18
	    	Prepare rainbow book markers
	   11	Brochure #1 mailed to the entire congregation
	   15	Rainbow book markers are in every worship bulletin on Easter Sunday
	   17	Create a “Great Commission” liturgy for use on April 29
	   18	Mail brochure #2 to entire congregation
	   	Prepare letter for those who do not return commitment card in congregational phase
	   22	Adult education class on the new mission start
	   23	Mail cover letter and commitment cards to the entire membership
	   29	Rainbow Sunday - Congregation Phase where all members return commitment cards
		Use rainbow bulletin cover, Great Commission liturgy, commitment cards in bulletin
		Rainbow of balloons making an arch across the entire chancel
	May
	     3	Follow up mailing to all who did not return commitment card (enclose another card)
	     4	Thank you notes sent to those who returned commitment cards
	     6	Report results of commitments, thus far, during Sunday announcements
Miscellaneous Tasks

	February
	     7	Ask banner makers to make a rainbow banner (done by March 11)
	   14	Call offering envelope company and have Rainbow Envelopes in packets beginning
		in May
	   15	Submit article for March 1 First Word newsletter
	March
	   11	Rainbow banner is hung up
	   12	Mail Histories of EC Congregations brochure
	   15	Submit article for April 1 First Word newsletter
	   18	Use rainbow logo for worship bulletin cover
	April
	     1	Use rainbow logo for worship bulletin cover
	   	Temple talk – perhaps someone from Trinity or Good Shepherd about days when they were a
		mission congregation and the importance of support from other congregations
	     8	Bulletin insert
	   15	Bulletin insert (on Easter Sunday) along with Rainbow book markers
	   17	Submit article for May 1 First Word newsletter
	   22	Bulletin insert and Temple talk – (someone with passion to start a new congregation)
	   29	Rainbow Sunday – use rainbow bulletin cover, rainbow of balloons spanning chancel
		Special children’s message about rainbows and God’s promises

	Engage prayer group throughout process . . .