A New Lutheran Congregation

The prayer, hope, and goal is to start a new congregation in Eau Claire the fall of 2002. Resolution No. 4 at the Synod Assembly seeks support for this mission endeavor.

"And you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 

God calls us to be witnesses to "the ends of the earth." god also calls us to be witnesses in "Jerusalem" - to those nearest to us. The start of a new Lutheran Church in our Synod is a mission effort to witness to the gospel right in our own backyard!

The Challenge: 2000 congregation in 20 Years

At the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Denver, an initiative to start 2000 congregations in the next 20 years was overwhelmingly approved. It will be a challenge! Some say it can't be done. Others have jumped on board with great excitement. some are making plans. others are already doing it!

Our Synod and the Challenge

In the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin, we are already planning and doing! What a joy to be at this juncture since we have not started a new congregation since the formation of the ELCA in 1988.

Two years of assessment and work by a task force made up of clergy and laity from Eau Claire congregations indicates a compelling need for a new church start. Three-fourths of the Chippewa Valley are unchurched. The need is huge; the call of God to reach out is clear. Hopefully, this mission start will be the first of many in our Synod!

An Opportunity to Reach Out

All congregations of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin are invited and encouraged to be a Mission Partner with this new congregation. What might a Mission Partnership look like?

•	Use your congregation's anniversary to receive a special offering for the new church. Remember, it is likely your congregation received similar support when it was founded.
•	Individual gifts, a budget line item, endowment monies, or special events and offerings might be specific ways to provide financial support. Be creative in your mission support!
•	Between the spring and fall of 2002, the mission developer pastor will be available for Sunday preaching and outreach forums. Why not invite the mission developer pastor to fill your pulpit?
•	Remember the new congregation and pastor in your prayers - individually and in worship.
•	Use the support of a new congregation as the spark plug to ignite evangelism in your own congregation.