wfn.org | [LCMSNews] Missions to share 'learnings' from P2K

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	February 25, 2004 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 19

	World Mission plans to share
	Pentecost 2000 'learnings'

	By Paula Schlueter Ross

	The good news: More than 900 cross-cultural ministries have been
started by Missouri Synod Lutherans since LCMS World Mission launched
its "Pentecost 2000" initiative in 1999.

	Even better, information about all 900-plus ministries is listed
on the P2K Web site at www.lcmsworldmission.org/pentecost2000
<http://www.lcmsworldmission.org/pentecost2000>  as a resource for those
who want to "see how others did it" and start such a ministry
themselves.

	Now, and perhaps best of all, LCMS World Mission is answering
the question, "What have we learned from Pentecost 2000?" and putting
the information in book form for distribution Synodwide.

	Dr. Allan Buckman, coordinator of the project, says it is
intended to take P2K learnings to a wider audience by showing
congregations what's happening Synodwide, as members reach out to
different ethnic groups in their communities, and to "give them a
glimpse of what works."

	"It brings to the surface an aspect of 'Ablaze!' that isn't well
known, and that is the number of cross-cultural ministries currently
under way within The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod," Buckman said.

	Like Pentecost 2000, "Ablaze!" was launched by LCMS World
Mission to bring people to Christ. With the help of mission partners
worldwide, the Synod hopes to share the Gospel with 100 million people
through "Ablaze!"

	The Pentecost 2000 goal of starting 1,000 cross-cultural
ministries nationwide is expected to be reached in time for a
celebration just prior to the start of the Synod convention in July,
according to P2K Director Marie Biesenthal, "to thank God for His
marvelous blessings on this effort."

	"Each of these cross-cultural ministries that gave opportunity
to share the message of Jesus Christ is a gift of God," Biesenthal said.

	At that time, the first of two P2K books, now under development
as "One People--Many Faces," will be released, providing an overview of
the Synod's cross-cultural ministries and tips from those involved in
them.

	The second book, produced under the auspices of the Lutheran
Society for Missiology, is designed to carry more detailed information
for starting cross-cultural ministries, including study questions and up
to a dozen "case studies" of actual ministries. The so-called P2K "study
version" likely won't be available until the end of the year, according
to Buckman.

	Many of the 900-plus P2K ministries started so far share similar
characteristics, and those "learnings" can be viewed as "keys to the
future," according to Buckman.

	Most important, he says, is forming partnerships with
established congregations.

	"Partnerships are critical," Buckman said. "They are there in
every one of these [P2K ministries]," providing the synergy needed to
implement the ministry, opportunities for involvement and "affirmation
of the principle that you never, ever accomplish your goals by
yourself."

	Other top P2K learnings call for:

	* a "compelling vision," which creates ministry awareness and
involvement.

	* training lay leaders, especially leaders from within the
targeted ethnic group, which is viewed as "indispensable."

	* innovative strategies, which can "turn obstacles into
opportunities."

	* volunteer workers and the use of small groups, both of which
are viewed as essential to expansion of the ministry.

	Successful cross-cultural ministries also exhibited "total
dependence on God's grace" through prayer support and patience, even in
the face of adversity, noted Buckman.

	The P2K findings did not surprise him, Buckman said, but "very
much affirmed" the importance of the learnings to mission work.

	"These are high-impact realities that will be with us for quite
some time to come," he said.

	****************************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

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