Resolution Seventeen ...

Deletions are lined out

 Additions are in red

Open the Door for Expanded Ministry (Resources for New Starts and Re-starts)

WHEREAS as Christians we are called to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19);

WHEREAS together the congregations of our synod in our unity are committed to begin and grow new ministries and congregations and transform (restart) existing congregations as a response to the Great Commission;

WHEREAS many new congregations, especially but not exclusively in suburban settings, do not begin to grow significantly until they are located in their own initial building;

WHEREAS the combined cost of both land and construction of new facilities is beyond the financial ability of most new congregations/ministries:

WHEREAS many of our transformational (re-start) congregations serve in lower economic areas:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Synod Council give priority to establishing structures, means and methods to identify and gather significant financial resources necessary to maintain and extend the ministry of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, permitting the acquisition of land and the construction of new facilities for congregational starts and restarts; and
Outreach Team of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod encourage synod congregations to establish a “New Start/Re-Start Fund” in each congregation to be available to assist with the costs of purchasing land or facilities for new starts and restarts (with the Outreach Team requesting the funds only at specific times for specific ministries);

AND THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that one strategy to be considered is the establishment of a “New Start/Restart Fund” in each congregation to be available to assist with the costs of purchasing land or facilities for new starts and restarts at specific times for specific ministries.
that the Outreach Team sponsor and coordinate a designated account in the synod  to gather funds specifically to assist new start and restart congregations.

Person Submitting Resolution: Pastor Rob Moore, Assistant to the Bishop/Mission Director

Implications of Resolution (if adopted)

1.   What is the financial impact of this resolution on the synod budget?

There will be limited impact to the synod budget (money currently within the Outreach Team budget will be used for seed money, brochures, etc.)

2.   What are the personnel implications within our synod (or churchwide)? Who will be responsible for implementations of the resolution?

Member of the Outreach Team, especially those working with the Mission Partners program, will be responsible for implementing the program.

3.   How does this resolution enhance and forward the mission of the church and our synod?

This resolution will enable new starts to grow faster and healthier by gifting them with the property (land) to build new facilities. This enhances the mission of the church to grow healthy, mission-centered congregations/ministries.

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