Introduction:   It has been a privilege to work with the pastor, leaders and congregation of Ascension Lutheran Church. Everyone has received us warmly, and they seemed excited about the revitalization of Ascension.  Our prayer is that God will use this report to motivate the congregation to do great things for Him in this community.

STRENGTHS

1. Law and Gospel teaching and preaching  Ascension Lutheran Church has a strong commitment to preaching and teaching God’s Word in its truth and purity.   The pastor is an excellent Biblical and doctrinal scholar and teacher, who diligently and skillfully shares his knowledge and expertise with the congregation.  A number of lay Bible teachers are also appreciated for their excellent teaching.  The people of Ascension Lutheran Church appreciate the many opportunities to hear and study the Word.

2. The Family of Ascension  The people of Ascension Lutheran Church are experiencing the love of Christ through the friendships they have made and the care they receive through their fellow members.  Within the congregation many relationships are strong and often life-long.  The congregation is often referred to as “my family”.

3. Location  The church is well located for ministering to the St. Louis Hills community and beyond.  Its visibility provides an excellent opportunity to expand the kingdom of God.  The number of first-time visitors is evidence of the congregation’s accessibility to the community.

4. Facility  The church and school buildings and grounds are exceptional facilities for a variety of ministries that empower the congregation to serve the community.

5. School  For many years Ascension Lutheran Church has served the community through its Christ-centered day-school ministry.  Many life-long relationships have been developed through Word of Life Lutheran School.  The principal is a strong leader and active member of Ascension, and he desires to make the school a mission outpost.  He is dedicated to maintaining the unity of the Word of Life association as its principal while providing dedicated service to Ascension as a member.

CONCERNS

1. Vision and Inward Focus  The lack of a clear and compelling vision to impact the community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ has negatively affected the overall ministry of the congregation.  The results have been limited effective outreach to those who need to know Christ when approximately 82,000 unchurched and dechurched people live within a 3 mile radius of Ascension Lutheran Church.

2. Assimilation  First-time visitors and newcomers are often overlooked.  The current procedure for follow-up is inconsistent and inadequate for assimilation and involvement in the life of the church.  As a result potential new members are being lost.

3. Stewardship  Biblical stewardship is a spiritual discipline that requires regular exercise for the Christian to become mature and generous in giving of their time, talent, and treasures.  Currently this discipline is not being taught or modeled with any regularity or consistency. The result is that, in the area of time and talent, 20% of the people are doing the vast majority of the ministry, and, in the area of treasures, the church is operating well below its giving potential.  As a result Ascension does not have the financial and volunteer resources to significantly impact the community with the Gospel.

4. Accountable Leadership  The challenges and opportunities of ministry at Ascension Lutheran Church require pastoral and lay leadership to have a blending of authority, responsibility and accountability that is currently not present.  This has led to issues with follow-through and effective communication which impede the church’s ability to fulfill its potential and reach the lost.

5. School Disconnection  Ascension Lutheran Church and Word of Life Lutheran School are physically connected, but their leadership structures are disconnected.  Ascension’s considerable financial and “in kind” (facility) support of Word of Life Lutheran School shows how much Ascension values Christian Education.  However, Ascension has been unable to effectively use Word of Life as a conduit for membership growth or outreach to families.  Ascension staff and leadership have had limited communication with Word of Life’s principal and staff to develop joint outreach strategies.

PRESCRIPTIONS

1. Vision and Outward Focus  Ascension Lutheran Church leadership, demonstrating a sense of urgency in reaching the lost, will identify and formally adopt an outwardly focused vision statement. The Missouri District will partner with the congregation in a visioning process that will be completed by July 1, 2009.  (Materials are available from Transforming Churches Network [TCN] and will be provided by the Missouri District.)  Upon formal adoption of the vision statement, the pastor and church leadership will engage in strategic ministry planning that brings the vision of the congregation to reality. This plan will identify critical outcomes to which staff and congregation will hold themselves accountable. This plan will be implemented by August 1, 2009.

• The pastor and Ministry Council president will select a visioning task force by March 15, 2009 which will direct the congregation in a TCN guided research and survey of its community to understand the community needs and ministry opportunities.
• An “Envisioning Day” will be held by June 1, 2009.
• Through the preaching and teaching ministries of the church, the pastor and leaders will create a sense of urgency among the members of the congregation concerning those in the community who will spend eternity without Christ.
•  In order to motivate and equip the people of Ascension Lutheran Church for outreach, every active worshipper will be strongly encouraged to join a six-week Bible study using Groups Ablaze! “Motivation for Mission” immediately upon adoption of this report.

2. Assimilation   In order to assist Ascension Lutheran Church in their desire to be a place where newcomers and visitors of all ages quickly become connected relationally and eagerly become active and involved in service, Ascension will call or hire a full-time Assimilation Director.  He/she will work with people beginning with their first-visit (or even before) and guiding them through full and active membership. 

The church may use the money that is available through the (undesignated estate gifts of the) dedicated accounts and generated from stewardship to call or hire an Assimilation Director by January 1, 2010 or sooner.

3. Accountable Leadership  The church will adopt an Accountable Leader model of governance.  In this new model, the Ministry Council will consist of persons who represent an outward-focused mission and the new vision when it is adopted.  Their role will be to govern the church. The pastor’s role will be to lead the church.  The role of staff members will be to manage the church.  The role of the members will be to conduct the ministry of the church.  This new leadership model will be put into practice after the new vision for the ministry of Ascension Lutheran Church has been formed and adopted.  The Policy Manual will be revised to reflect this new model by November 30, 2009.

In order to strengthen and enhance the leadership skills and practices of Ascension’s pastor, he will:

• receive coaching recommended by TCN and paid for by the congregation (approx. $1,200/year) to implement this report and grow as a leader for at least the next 24 months.
• participate in a MRI (TCN) learning community provided by the Missouri District.
• initiate a congregation-based learning community within sixty days.

In order to strengthen and enhance the leadership skills and practices of Ascension’s lay leaders, they will:

• receive coaching from Deaconess Ruth McDonnell of the Missouri District to implement this report and grow as leaders.
• be encouraged to participate in a congregation- based learning community led by Pastor Spomer.

Pastor Spomer and the leaders will lead Ascension Lutheran Church in using their time, talent, and treasures to engage in “Net Fishing Events”.  At least 6 of these will take place during the next 12 months. The first will be done by Easter 2009.

5. Relationship to Word of Life Lutheran School  The Word of Life principal will be invited to attend at least one Ascension staff meeting per month in order to increase communication between the two institutions.  Work will be done to identify unchurched school families that could be served by Ascension.  Appropriate follow-up will be done with each of the families.

Pastor Spomer will spend at least one hour each week intentionally connecting with unchurched school children and their families.

Conclusion:  We want to thank you for the opportunity to consult with you. We believe your best days as a congregation are ahead of you as you further the Gospel of our Lord Jesus in St. Louis Hills and beyond.

Dr. David Hyatt, Coach-Consultant – Effective Ministries
Dr. Terry Tieman, Transforming Congregations Network
Dr. William Utech, Concordia Seminary
Dr. Rick Marrs, Concordia Seminary
Rev. Rich Boring, Mission and Outreach Executive – The Nebraska District
Deaconess Ruth McDonnell, Metro St. Louis Mission Coordinator – The Missouri District