Balanced Focus Plan for India and Sri Lanka:

LCMS

World Missions T.E.A.M.

   Region – India Sri Lanka

2003 – 2005

Balanced Focus Plan

Bible Verse Focus:

“Go and make disciples of all ethnic groups”

LCMS - LWM

2003 – 2005 Strategic Focus

LCMS – LWM Mission Statement

Praying to the Lord of Harvest, LCMS World Mission, in collaboration with its North American and worldwide partners, will share the good news of Jesus with 100 million unreached or uncommitted people by the 500 th anniversary of the reformation. 

* = new developments

Mission Focus

Strategic Objective Response

  Biblically and Confessionally based, the LLC and IELC are committed to equipping members for spiritual nurture, evangelization of the unsaved, and care-giving ministries.

Goal

Utilizing the trained leadership and institutions of the church body, the LLC/IELC aim to grow by ten percent a year.

Strategies

1. Strong seminary training program
2. Focused educational and care-giving programs
3. Continued efforts at reconciliation and unity

*4. Partnering with Western and Indian mission societies

1. Exploration of relevant outreach to high caste and Muslim communities

*6. Assistance from LCMS through Consultants

*7. Development of literature program

*8. Focus on urban ministry and outreach

*9. Responding to groups seeking Lutheran training

Measures

1. Upgrading of Nagercoil seminary to BD-level by 2007
2. Establishing of 40 new congregations a year
3. Forming 20 formal partnerships between IELC/LLC, BfMS, and other mission agencies by 2007
4. 75% of school faculties trained and focused on mission outreach by 2007
5. 50 trained reconcilers utilized in church and society from 2003
6. Sharing the good news about Jesus with 8 million unreached people by 2007

Partner Focus

Strategic Objective Response

Enter into formal relationships with mission agencies that can aid in the fulfillment of IELC/LLC/BfMS mission goals

Goal

By 2007, have formal relationships with 20 mission agencies in partnerships with IELC/LCC and BfMS.

Strategies

1. Develop mission societies related to various aspects and regions of IELC/LLC/BfMS mission work

*2. Work out formal partnerships with international and Indian/Sri Lankan mission societies

Measures

1. By 2007, have five ALMA-related mission societies involved with work in India and Sri Lanka
2. By 2007, have 20 formal working relationships with international and Indian mission agencies

Misson Responders Focus

Strategic Objective Response

Develop awareness of and commitment to God’s mission in India among LCMS Mission Responders.

Goal

By 2007, have 5000 LCMS members regularly involved in prayer, service, and support for God’s mission in India .

Strategies

*1. Provide opportunities for involvement through mission societies.

*2. Arrange opportunities for short-term volunteer service.

*3   Provide information for prayer partners through regular newsletters.

*4. Involve international India congregations

*5. Arrange tours involving prayer warriors and videographers

Measures

1.   50 congregations and 500 individuals in India-related mission societies by 2007

2.   Formal partnerships with 10 mission societies for information and support by 2007

3.   Have newsletter of quarterly prayer concerns and opportunities by 2007

4.   Send 3 volunteer mission groups and one tour group per year

5.   Formal partnerships with 5 international Indian congregations by 2007

LWM People Focus

Strategic Objective Response

Trained and equipped church workers and lay leaders dedicated to mission outreach in bold and creative ways

Goal

80% of church workers and laity personally involved in mission outreach through congregations and mission societies

Strategies

1. Strengthening and expansion of Concordia Seminary, Nagercoil
2. Development of literature for nurture and outreach
3. Regular in-service training for all church workers
4. On-going training for biblical conflict resolution
5. Involve with movements/organizations to reach Muslims & high caste Hindus
6. Development of IELC/LLC-related mission societies

*7. Expansion of mission outreach to new ethnic communities

*8. Mission outreach to Indian/Sri Lankan communities in other countries

9.   50 strategic mission planners trained by 2003

*10.   Develop economic uplift programs and institutions

*11.   Consultant training of teachers and church leaders

*12.   Training of stewardship resource persons around the church

Measures

1. Upgrading of CTS, Nagercoil, to BD-level by 2007
2. Development of literature program by 2004
3. Annual and semi-annual in-service training programs for all church workers
4. Training of 50 reconcilers around IELC/LCC by 2003
5. Partnership with LHM and other agencies in outreach to Muslims and caste Hindus by 2003
6. Formation of 5 IELC/LLC-related mission societies by 2007
7. 300 pastors and 2000 trained lay evangelists reaching 8 million by 2007
8. Involvement of 50 strategic planners in congregations, institutions, Circles, Districts, and IELC-level mission planning
9. 5 technical training institutions started by 2007
10. 80% of teachers, Principals, and Correspondents trained and mission-oriented
11. Elected leaders at all levels of IELC trained in servant leadership
12. 50 stewardship resource persons trained around church by 2007
13. Systematic program of economic development in operation by 2007

Leadership Focus

Strategic Objective Response

BfMS enlist and empower resource persons who are knowledgeable and responsive to the mission opportunities in India and Sri Lanka .

Goal

Provide personnel and financial resources that will enable partner churches and agencies to participate in BfMS mission vision of reaching 100 million people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Strategies

1. Have Area Director knowledgeable and comfortable with Indian/Sri Lankan mission context
2. Recruit and equip Consultants to train national church leaders in areas of mission needs
1. Enlist volunteers for special short-term training needs
2. Provide financial support to key training and outreach needs
3. Involve BfMS in guidance of movements to Christ among Muslims, caste Hindus, and Sinhalese Buddhists

Measures

1. Have knowledgeable Area Director in place from 2003 onwards
2. Have 2-3 Consultants active in mission training from 2003 onwards
3. Develop roles of service and training for 20 short-term volunteers a year from 2003 onwards
4. Annual 20% increase of relevant and accountable financial support for mission outreach from 2004 onwards
5. BfMS and ALMA involvement with new ethnic outreach from 2004 on

Board Focus

Strategic Objective Response

Provide support and policy oversight for values and vision for God’s mission in India and Sri Lanka

Goal

Continue to provide resource persons and financial support that will empower our partner churches and mission societies in God’s mission in India and Sri Lanka as part of the BfMS vision of reaching 100 million people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Strategies

1. Orient Board members on mission opportunities and developments in India and Sri Lanka
2. Develop Board policies and procedures that empower BfMS and partner church and partner mission societies
3. Provide increasing financial support for expanding mission needs

Measures

1. Provide annual face-to-face report to Board on mission opportunities and developments in India and Sri Lanka
2. Provide 20% increase of funding for mission work in India and Sri Lanka
3. Appoint knowledgeable Area Director for guiding mission involvement in India and Sri Lanka
4. 25 million people meaningfully reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by 2017 in India and Sri Lanka