On Lead Time, we recently interviewed Pastor Ed Doerner who has led at Messiah Lutheran Church in Midland, Michigan, for the past 16 years. It was one of the most exciting podcasts I’ve ever been a part of. Why?
Pastor Doerner has unlocked the power of releasing the Messiah Lutheran family to deeply care about the felt needs in their community. I’ve felt the collective eye roll when the ULC has talked about how felt needs ministry is a doorway to serve the community and reach people with the Gospel. “Sure, Tim, easy for you to say. You lead a larger congregation with resources and people. We’re just trying to keep our heads above water Sunday to Sunday. I need more people to make felt needs ministry happen.”
Let Pastor Doerner and the Messiah family give you permission to dream and execute larger than you’ve ever imagined. Pastor Doerner admitted after the podcast ended (I wish we had still been recording), “We’re not a large congregation. Anyone can do this!”
So what did they do?
Lower income families, mainly single moms, were in need of cost effective auto repair. So…they started an automotive garage called His Hands Auto.” https://www.hishandsauto.com/
They realized that simply giving food away for free stripped dignity from the working poor. So…they started The Bridge Food Center grocery store for anyone making $72,000 or less. It is completely volunteer run. I told Jack I really want to do this! https://www.thebridgemidland.com/
People need relationships–deep relationships. People are lonely. Loneliness is an epidemic. So…they started Journeys Coffeehouse. https://www.journeyscoffee.org/
People need affordable healthcare. So…they started an affordable healthcare clinic called Gateway Healthcare. https://www.gwhealthcare.net/
I could keep going. There are more ministries. But, I’ll stop here. You can see all of the ministries at https://www.elevatemidland.org/ministries
One church–one medium-sized LCMS church–in the middle of Michigan started all of these ministries. https://www.messiahmidland.org/
I know, this type of story is intimidating. It didn’t happen overnight. It took a lot of work, perseverance, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit. I’m sure there have been members wondering what Pastor Doerner and his team were up to. I’m sure the pull toward internally focused ministries has been strong.
Yet, the mission was and is clear. Jesus came to meet felt needs.
Jesus healed physically and spiritually.
Jesus fed.
Jesus raised.
Jesus died, rose, ascended, and sent His Spirit to help the local church do the same. God has a mission to get all of His lost kids back. God’s mission has a Church. God’s Church is called to meet felt needs in the hopes of gaining a hearing to share our greatest felt need.
We sin.
Jesus forgives.
Imagine if every town, small city, and urban center was filled with LCMS churches who tried to deeply meet just one felt need in their community!
Imagine if LCMS leaders spent all of their time telling stories of Christ’s church meeting felt needs and broke down barriers to keep this from happening.
Imagine if every printed LCMS publication (The Reporter, The Witness, The Lutheran Clarion, Christian News, etc.) focused on sharing the entire story of what Jesus is doing in all of His LCMS congregations!
As the interview was beginning, I was honestly left wondering: How have I not heard of Messiah Lutheran Church before? I don’t know. Regardless, I’m glad I know Pastor Doerner now. He profoundly impacted me and the ULC team.
I pray the Holy Spirit compels you to simply choose one felt need and start a ministry. Better yet, collaborate with other churches in your circuit and strategize on what felt needs ministries you’re looking to start. Maybe your circuit collaborates to start a new 501c3 like Elevate Ministries!
Our prayer is that every LCMS circuit, in our unique contexts, will see each other as partners in the Gospel, not competitors for an ever decreasing Lutheran population.
Jesus is Lord!
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