Far West Mission Center

Far West Mission Center
5124 Faraon St
St Joseph, MO 64506-3371
816.232.3319 (voice)
816.232.3310 (fax)
farwest@farwestmc.org

"Empowered to Witness" Seminar

"The seventy have been assigned to help identify and train elders sensing a call to missionary ministry.  The introduction of Empowered to Witness into the life of the church is an invitation for those currently serving as elders to reflect on their ministerial giftedness and prayerfully consider providing leadership and support to congregational participants in their witnessing."

Seventy Bob Kyser                

On Saturday, November 5, twenty eight members of the Far West Mission Center met at the Abundant Life Center and attended a workshop on the Missionary Tool Kit resource "Empowered to Witness".

The workshop facilitaor was Karin Peter, Outreach Coordinatorfor the South Central States Mission Center and an ordained Seventy.  The material included a review the Elder in the Community of Christ and the historical calling and utilization of Elders of as missionaries. 

Many church members today relate to Elders in their congregations primarily in their roll as administrator, presider, pastor and speaker.  In very few cases do we think of them in their roll as missionaries.  This missionary ministry might be described as: inviting people into relationship with Jesus Christ, encouraging full participation in the church, and mentoring them in a life of discipleship.  Missionary Elders "proclaim Jesus Christ through vibrant personal testimony, view congregational life with a missionary perspective, and promote a relationship with Jesus Christ and fellowship in the Community of Christ by planning and facilitating opportunities to invite, assimilate and disciple new members." (Empowered to Witness, pg 15)

Each attendee was challenged to excercise the following skills:

• have an active prayer life which includes missionary concerns
• share their personal witness of Christ and the church
• seek our opportunities to witness
• be involved in community and have an awareness of needs
• develop and nurture witnessing relationships
• know how and when to invite people to fellowship and worship events
• work to connect seeders with disciples
• have a passion for missionary ministry
• model witness and invitation and encourage this same behavior in other disciples
• encourage congregations to develop welcoming, inviting and nurturing ministries
• follow through with an expanding list of witnessing contacts

Please contact your pastor to find out who from your congregation attended.  Seek out that person and ask them how you can learn more yourself.  Volunteer to help them in modeling, planning and conducting missionary activity in your congregation.  As we become more invitational and we share our witness, we often become aware of the need for additional training and skills development.   If you would like help or more information, call the mission center office at (816) 232-3319 or email us.  Intentional missionary work needs to be a part of each and every congregations planning and programs.

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