The Spirit Ignites

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you
and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them everything
that I have commanded you.  And remember,
I am with you always to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

FROM THE BISHOP

Dear friends in Christ of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin,

On the front of this brochure you read the words of our Lord, words that have come to be known as the Great Commission.  Jesus tells his disciples then and us now that we have a mission and purpose in life as his followers.  Brought to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit working through God’s Word and Holy Sacraments we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to tell the Good News of God’s love in Jesus the Christ. “Go therefore,” Jesus says, “and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Since Jesus spoke these words and subsequently the Church received the promised Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the people of God have responded to the Great Commission, and as a result, the number of those who have come to know of and believe in Jesus is astounding. Thanks be to God for the wonderful things God has done and for the opportunities God has given us to be ambassadors for Christ.

Yet we know that the mission remains. God calls us to renewed commitment and to new ventures of sharing the Gospel and helping to make disciples of all nations. I am excited about one of those new ventures before us which comes in the form of a mission start in Eau Claire. Much work has gone into the planning and initial process for this exciting ministry. I am convinced that God has been a part of all that has been done, and that now we are at the threshold of establishing the first mission congregation in the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin. Members of Eau Claire congregations have been instrumental in bringing us to this point, but there is strong interest and excitement throughout the synod. We all can be a part of establishing the new congregation in Eau Claire. I encourage congregations to become Mission Partners and provide financial support. Additionally, what a wonderful way to give thanks to God on the occasion of an anniversary celebration by directing the offering to this project. God will bless all efforts of congregations and individuals as together we respond in a specific way to the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 28.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

In Christ,			Bishop Robert D. Berg
				Northwest Synod of Wisconsin

     A New Beginning
              for Mission

For the first 1900 years of Christian history, whenever there was a need for a new community of faith, local congregations took the lead in establishing a new church.  For much of the past century that task was done by denominational staff--studying potential mission start sites, providing funding, and placing a pastor.  However, during the past decade, the church has largely returned to the earlier model.  Local and synodical congregations provide the impetus for mission starts and the ELCA Division for Outreach provides supplemental funding and support.

Why Start Another Church?

The Chippewa Valley has experienced tremendous growth during the past 20 years.  The ELCA congregations of Eau Claire are all thriving but cannot accommodate or serve the expanded population.  Nearly three-fourths of Eau Claire’s population has no church affiliation.

Research and experience in church starts indicate that the unchurched are much more likely to join new congregations rather than long-established congregations.  New churches reach new people.  Starting a new congregation is a very effective way to reach significant numbers of people in the name of Jesus Christ and incorporate the unchurched into a community of Word and Sacrament.

What Is the Time Line?

Two years ago, a task force made up of clergy and laity from Eau Claire churches was established to determine the feasibility of starting another congregation.  Their work involved prayer, demographic and census information, projections of growth from city officials, consultation with synodical and churchwide staff, interviews with mission developer pastors, and assessment of financial costs.

During 2001 and 2002, congregations of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin are encouraged to form Mission Partnerships with the new congregation through prayer and financial support.

A mission developer pastor will be called the spring of 2002.  The first worship service will be held the fall of 2002.

Where Will the New Church Be Located?

Significant growth in Eau Claire is taking place and will continue to occur on the west side of the city.  Between 600 and 800 single family homes will be built on the west side during the next four or five years.

How Much Will It Cost?

Estimates for startup costs and ongoing expenses total $135,000 annually for the first three years.

What Are the Sources of Financial Support?

Most of the congregations in Eau Claire have committed to financial support of the new congregation.  To date, three-year commitments of over $120,000 have been received in Eau Claire.

Additional funding will be provided through Mission Partnerships established by congregations of our synod, ELCA supplemental funding, a Lutheran Brotherhood grant, the synod’s “New Congregation Starts” fund, and the  offerings from the members of the new congregation.

How Can We Help?

Pray	Pray that our hearts might burn with a holy passion for outreach.  Pray for the mission developer pastor whom God has already selected.  Pray for the countless new people who will be touched by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and who will be engaged in mission and ministry.

Give	Consider how you and your congregation might financially support the first new congregation in our synod since the inception of the ELCA .  Become a Mission Partner!

Grow	Grow in your understanding of outreach.  Consider how your congregation might be intentionally engaged in evangelism in your ministry setting.  Consider other areas in our synod that could be well served by a new congregation.

Where Can We Get Further Information?

Complete information concerning the new Lutheran church in Eau Claire can be found at www.synodresourcecenter.org.   Click on “Evangelism;” then click on “New Mission.”   Refer to Assembly Resolution Number 4.

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
“The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.”
Proverbs 16:3,9