Metropolitan Chicago Synod – ELCA

Covenant Agreement for Affiliated Mission Community (AMC)

Purpose

In an effort to touch more lives with the gift of life offered by a closer relationship with God through the love of Jesus, the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, ELCA, is challenging existing congregations to consider the development of reproducing a network of faith communities.

These mission communities will be built on three intersecting circles representing mission activity that together expresses the fullness of Christian Mission: Proclamation, Service, and Justice.

There are four interconnected/interrelated/interdependent areas of focus for each one of the partners involved in the process. All of them are geared toward the ministries of Proclamation-Service-Justice.

  1. Readiness. Entering or living into an intentional cultural shifting, from surviving to living
  2. Planning for Growth. A vision for leading people to a relation with the Lord Jesus Christ
  3. Fruitfulness Metrics. Setting specific metrics that respond to the vision
  4. Assessment. Intentional evaluation that leads to changes or adjustments of the plan without moving away from the vision’s core values.

Parties

[Congregation] calls or contracts with [pastor or lay missionary] to be the AMC missionary of [congregation]. This agreement shall begin with three years of external funding, and include five years of coaching and oversight.

Terms of Call or Hired Position

Compensation package for [pastor or lay missionary] will be determined based on the hours of work and the synod guidelines. It may vary based on the experience of the missionary. The following terms shall constitute the initial annualized compensation for the position:

Defined compensation Compensation
Pension
Health Care coverage
Other benefits

Funding Disbursement

  • Funding for AMC projects will be based on a three-year project. Funding by the Metropolitan Chicago Synod will be $100,000 for the three-year project.
  • AMC projects are the result of partnerships. Additional funding can be received from the following sources:

a)Incubator Congregation

b)Partnering congregations

c)AMCs

  • Funding will be distributed during the three years and can be adjusted depending on the circumstances but never surpassing the allocated amount for the AMC project.
  • Any changes in these items shall be in concurrence with the project leadership, the Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM), the synodical Outreach Team, and the Incubator Congregation (IC), for the duration of the Covenant Agreement.

Project Goals

A delineated philosophy of ministry with detailed target goals will be developed with the IC council and pastor, the DEM, the Outreach Team,and any other party assigned to the project. For the first three years, the Outreach team will conduct an annual ministry review during the fall or early winter. Using a format provided, a project presentation will be made in person by the IC pastor, missionary, and at least two lay members, communicating progress on previous goals and challenges for the upcoming year. The project goal will be three AMCs by the end of three years.

Connection with the AMC Project

The IC will develop a covenant and plan for ministry with the missionary based on the initial mission plan.

Responsibilities and Commitments of the Synod

See Covenant attached

Responsibilities and Commitments of the Incubator Congregation

See Covenant attached

Responsibilities and Commitments of the Missionary Evangelist

  • A covenant and position description will be developed between the IC council,pastor, andthe missionary evangelist.
  • Compliance with the professional standards articulated in Vision and Expectations for rostered leaders (

Expectation and Termination of Agreement/Covenant

  1. Amendments. Amendments to the agreement must be agreed to by all parties. Amendments must be documented in writing and on file for the duration of the agreement
  2. Termination of Agreement. The agreement is subject to termination in the following circumstances:
  3. Failureof congregation/AMC to remain in harmony with the Metropolitan Chicago Synod and the ELCA.
  4. Inability of the ministry to maintain progressagainst goals as determined jointly by the IC, the Outreach team, and the Synod.
  5. Departure of the IC and/or the AMC from agreement of the IC or the AMCs to adhere to this agreement as determined by the Synod and the Outreach Team.
  6. Noncompliance with the standards of Vision and Expectations
  7. The decision for termination will be made jointly by the DEM, the Outreach Team, and the IC.

Benchmarks

-Setting a new paradigm based on the five vital functions of missional communities:

  1. Making Disciples
  2. Evangelizing People
  3. ReproducingLeaders
  4. Instilling a Stewardship Culture
  5. MultiplyingCommunities

-Financial ownership

-Growth beyond small groups

-Financial support is for a three-year cycle with the expectation that the AMC will participate actively

-Metrics

a)People touched by the AMC (people participating)

b)Number of new people with a sense of belonging to the AMC (or the IC)

c)Number of people raised as new leaders (reproduction)

d)New team/groups

e)Offering/collection

Signatures:

IC pastorDate

Outreach Team Date

Director for Evangelical Mission Date