The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Ministry Priorities
Four ministry priorities have been approved for 2024–2029. These general priorities will lead to an outline of specific ministry activities for the next five years. These priorities are the result of ministry conversations among boards, committees, teams, and staff and reinforced by key scriptural principles and thoughts and themes from the resources cited for each. Additionally, priorities 1 and 3 echo two of the four critical targets of our LCMS Missouri District, which are Family Discipleship Expansion and Community Engagement, aligning our work with the observations and efforts of our Christian sisters and brothers across the state.
Our 2024–2029 ministry priorities are ...
Faith formation begins at home and individual lives are transformed by the Gospel.
Key Bible Passages
- Deuteronomy 6:4–8
- Romans 1:16
Go Deeper
Ben Freudenburg with Rick Lawrence, The Family Friendly Church (Loveland: Group Publishing, 1998).
Relationships Count: Engaging and Retaining Millennials (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2019).
Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad Griffin, Growing Young: 6 Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2016).
Gene Edward Veith Jr., God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life (Wheaton: Crossway, 2002).
Our school provides a distinctly Lutheran Christian education.
Key Bible Passages
- Proverbs 22:6
- Psalm 78:5–7
Go Deeper
Bernard Bull and Jim Pingel, Imagine the Possibilities: Conversations on the Future of Christian Education (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2018).
Thomas Korcok, Lutheran Education: From Wittenberg to the Future (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2011).
Bernard Bull, ed., The Pedagogy of Faith (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2016).
We foster and strengthen Christ-centered relationships.
Key Bible Passages
- Acts 2:42–47
- Matthew 22:37–39
Go Deeper
Greg Finke, Joining Jesus on His Mission: How to Be an Everyday Missionary (Elgin: Tenth Power Publishing, 2014).
Jay Pathak & Dave Runyon, The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2012).
Hugh Halter and Matt Smay, The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008).
Terry Tieman, David Born, and Dwight Marble, Hinges: Opening Your Church’s Doors to the Community (Bloomington, MN: ChurchSmart Resources, 2016).
Reggie McNeal, Get Off Your Donkey! Help Somebody and Help Yourself (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2013).
We are active participants in God’s global mission.
Key Bible Passages
- 1 Chronicles 16:24
- Acts 1:8
Go Deeper
David Livermore, Serving with Eyes Wide Open: Doing Short-Term Missions with Cultural Intelligence (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2006).
Sarah Lanier, Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold-Climate Cultures (Hagerstown: McDougal, 2000, 2010).
Robert D. Lupton, Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It) (New York: HarperCollins, 2011).
Duane Elmer, Cross-cultural Connections: Stepping Out and Fitting In Around the World (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2002).
What Does a Missionary Look Like?, Mission of Christ Network (equip.missionofchrist.org/what-does-a-missionary-look-like)
Short-Term Mission Training Materials, Mission of Christ Network (equip.missionofchrist.org/short-term-missions-training)
2024–2029 Ministry Plan
The 2024–2029 Ministry Plan describes intended outcomes for each of the four ministry priorities. Each year, our congregation's elected leaders and staff will suggest specific outcomes from this Plan for which action plans will be developed; these would be presented to and approved by the congregation annually.
Organizing for Mission and Ministry
Revising our organizational structure is more than just about a Constitution and Bylaws. It's about faithfully stewarding God's gifts in this place and time to accomplish the mission He has given.
Our goals for revising our organizational structure include:
Our congregation approves an annual ministry plan with an adaptable organizational structure that allows that plan to be implemented.
Staff and elected leaders form ministry teams as needed (type, number of participants, special gifts desired, etc.) based upon the ministry plan and specific ministry needs.
Recruit volunteers in a way that suits their willingness and ability to serve.
Provide for ongoing recruitment, rather than a once-a-year formation of teams, allowing for greater flexibility for people to join in ministry planning and projects.
Simplify the organizational structure and maintain key leadership entities so the congregation knows where to direct questions, ideas, and concerns about ministries and programs.
All ministries will be represented in our new organizational structure.
Ensure clarity around responsibility and accountability.
Energize and engage the Voters Assembly for big-picture decision-making, goal-setting, story-telling, and celebrating mission and ministry.
Apply how we already operate when making key decisions (e.g., calling workers, records management, facilities planning, building projects) to our general ministry administration.
With a new organizational structure comes a new set of organizing documents. Download and review the draft documents provided. (Please note, the policy manuals are for reference and transparency; they are not approved by the congregation.)
New Structure Approved
On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, the Voters assembly approved the new Constitution & Bylaws for our congregation with 80% of the votes cast. This will go into effect July 1, 2024. Watch for more information from the Church Council, Board of Elders, and School Board about updates as we begin to work together using the new organizational structure. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to Don Schlesselman (President), Joel Oetting (Vice President), or the pastors; if you would like your comments or questions to remain anonymous, a box will be available in the narthex through June 30.
Key Resources
Ted Kober, Built on the Rock: The Healthy Congregation (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2017).
Ted Kober, “Policy-Based Board Governance in Lutheran Congregations.” November 6, 2008. Available at aorhope.org/articles.
David J. Peter, Organizing for Ministry and Mission (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2023).