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Purpose, Guiding Principles, and Outcome

ELCA Mission
Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world.

ELCA Vision
Claimed by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we are a new creation through God’s living Word by the power of the Holy Spirit;
Gathered by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we will live among God’s faithful people, hear God’s Word, and share Christ’s supper;
Sent by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we will proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, serve all people following the example of our Lord Jesus, and strive for justice and peace in all the world.

Division for Outreach Purpose
Empowered by the Spirit and participating in God's Mission, to foster and facilitate outreach through the church by starting new congregations and renewing existing ministries in order to grow the church and make devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.

Guiding Principles
Guided by the Spirit to implement these the Division for Outreach will value:

  1. Growing congregations that reach out to the unchurched and incorporate them as new disciples of Jesus Christ within their ministry.

  2. Asset based ways of working that use all of God’s gifts, increase involvement by the whole church, and multiply resources for outreach.

  3. Participatory decision making that maximizes involvement and ownership by those most affected by a ministry from the start in strong partnership with all expressions of the ELCA and ecumenical partners.

  4. An inclusive church whose members increasingly reflect the diversity of the world in which we live – especially being inclusive of all ethnic groups and economic classes.

  5. Holistically evangelical ministry that shares Jesus Christ in life-changing and transformational ways, both in word and in deed, both in the church and in the world.

  6. Empowering and equipping leadership that honors the dignity in all people and frees and inspires them to minister in Jesus’ name.

  7. Ministry that reproduces ministry where God’s people, both individually and corporately, become the means by which others are brought into ministry as well.

Intended Outcome
A vibrant and growing church where healthy congregations are connecting to one another and transforming the world, where faith is deepening and new disciples are being made, living as the body of Christ participating in ushering in the Reign of God.

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