AREA MISSION STRATEGY TEAM (AMST)

The AMST, comprised of clergy and lay representatives from each of the five local ELCA congregations meets monthly to discuss joint mission projects. 

All are encouraged to attend the AMST meetings for the fellowship, to meet other Lutherans in the area, and for group discussions on joint mission projects. 

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Area Mission Strategy Team

Monday, June 9, 2008

Lutheran Church of the Master

Participants: David Baldwin, Steve Meredith, David Watrous (LoL); Pr John Hergert (PFLC), Pr. Karen Olson, Ken Tesch, Richard Ding (LCM); Susan Miller, (RLC); Pr. Helga Jansons. 

David Baldwin opened the meeting and introduced Steve Meredith, LOL Congregation President.  An agenda was distributed and the meeting was started with prayer.

Updates and Happenings 
Lord of Life: The congregation said goodby to interim Pr Ron Shipmen last Sunday and says hello to new Pastor Daniel Rieke, this coming Sunday, June 15th.

RLC:  Susan Miller informed the group that she is leading a 20-women bible study, at RLC, in the book Missional Leader, with all having purchased the book.  The study is being well-received.

LCM transformation: The congregation will host ice creams socials, with singing and prayer, on the 2nd Thursday of the summer months at two community parks in north Pasco.  These events will give the community and congregation an opportunity to get to know each other.  LCM also hosted a fine workshop on Evangelism and Calling, led by Pr Dick Wendt.

PFLC – Pr John said he is on the board of Lutheran Public Policy Office, under the LCS, and they are planning an evangelism workshop Oct 17-18, led by speaker ELCA pastor Paul Benz on How To Do Church, and is designed for Lutherans.

Grant Proposal for Mission Developer:  We addressed a grant proposal, from Bishop Wells, for Good Shepherd Legacy funds, to fund Pr Helga Jansons for a 4 month period to do mission development surveying of several target community areas in the Tri Cities.  After much discussion, we had consensus for strong approval of the proposal, only asking for some clarification in the written proposal.  The position involved interviews with Pr Darius Larsen.  The work will start Sept 1 and include mission developer training for Pr Helga in Chicago, and will involve close communication with LCM as well as the other congregations.

The Missional Leader Workshop: The workshop featuring Alan Roxburgh is on, changed date and presently set for Oct 3-4, Fri night and all day Saturday.  Location still to be determined. 

Summary of planning: 

• Funding: we will ask each congregation to provide financial support, from $150 up to $500. $500 has been pledged by LOL.  Pr Karen will contact Thrivent.  Possible funds from the Cluster.  Admission will be charged at $40/person.  The sponsoring congregations will provide potluck.
• We decided to give this workshop a different name from the book, better reflecting the content and be more appealing.  We asked Susan Miller’s bible study to try to give an appropriate name.
• Dave Watrous was asked and agreed to do registration.  Thanks Dave and Dee.
• We must get this asap into the Synod Newsletter.  Pr. Karen will do this.

Special Guest:  We welcomed Pr Jairo Arauz, pastor of the Spanish congregation operating in LCM.  Pr Jairo was a warm individual, terrific speaker, and has a real heart for Jesus and evangelism.  He responded to all our questions.  His non-denominational church, connected with one in CA, started 6 years ago with 1 family, has now grown to 40-45 families, has a radio bible study in Spanish on 92.5 FM, and is in the pentacostal tradition.  He does much outreach with students and their parents, and his whole congregation is planning a theater evangelism outreach in Hood Park on July 5, with youth doing “The Prodigal Son”.  He does evangelism in the classic way, earning trust, building relationship, speaking the Gospel, inviting the Holy Spirit, and taking time to do it right.  We were all quite taken with him, and asked if he would be further available for more discussion and consultation, and he would be happy to.

Next meeting:  Thursday, July 24, at LOL at 7:00 pm.  Dwell on Luke 10:1-12.

The meeting adjourned with group prayer.