Mission Catalyst
Now is the time:
Now is the time for us to take seriously equipping the members of our congregations for mission activity.
Now is the time:
Mission opportunities abound. The Pew Research group has found that about 28% of people in the U.S. have no religious affiliation. Yet many of the unaffiliated are open to faith conversations.
Now is the time:
God has brought the mission field to us through the influx of immigrants from around the world.
Now is the time:
The old attractional model of growing the church has ceased to be effective. Despite efforts to double down on big programs and entertaining music, congregations are experiencing decline. The attractional model of outreach worked well in a churched environment that has become a thing of the past.
Now is the time:
Christ invites all of us to join Him in His mission to seek and save the lost.
The mission catalyst program is the Michigan District’s version of the lay evangelist training program. This self-paced learning experience provides the participants with the knowledge and skills to be everyday missionary in their communities. Mission Catalysts are equipped to lead their congregations in mission action.
In the second petition we pray, “Thy kingdom come.” Luther explained in his small catechism that God’s kingdom comes without our prayers, but that we pray this petition that God’s kingdom may come to us. In the further explanation of the petition we come to understand that we are praying that God’s kingdom would come through us, through our witness. Sign up today and discover the difference you can make as you and your congregation join Jesus in His mission.
What Do Mission Catalysts Do?
Mission Catalysts look for opportunities to help the church connect with the non-Christian world around them. They always look for new ways their congregations can serve their neighbors in Jesus’ name. They are comfortable on the edges of church life, building bridges for the gospel into the community. They are learning to keep in step with the Holy Spirit so that they can relax and enjoy the work of evangelism without feeling that all the responsibility for leading people to faith is on their shoulders.
Mission Catalysts are part of the ministry team of their congregation, and their specific roles may include any of the following:
- Relational evangelism (learning to share the gospel in the context of genuine loving relationships and mentoring others to do the same).
- Helping people take those first (perhaps faltering) steps of faith in Jesus.
- Helping new disciples grow in basic Christian practices.
- Helping inquirers find answers to common questions about Christianity.
- Taking a leadership role in helping their congregations think missionary and welcoming and integrating new members.
- Leading inquirers’ courses such as Alpha.
- Finding creative ways to engage the people in their neighborhoods.
- Taking a leadership role in Christian service projects in their communities to build bridges between the church and the world around them.
- Engaging the congregation’s membership in mission activity.
- Preparing their Faith Community to welcome and nurture new believers.
Next Steps
We invite you to start with the foundations unit of the Mission Catalyst training. As you grow in your understanding of the Mission of God, you will begin to see opportunities that God uses your everyday relationships to transform your community with the Gospel. To maximize your experience in the program, you are encouraged to invite a mentor to provide feedback through the training. A mentor should be someone who has experience sharing their faith in the community. It could be your local pastor or member of you church, or a trusted friend. If you would like some help locating a mentor, indicate the request when you register for the course.
