Our Vision

To have thriving churches/congregations which are alive in Christ in every community.

Our Mission

To promote, lead and support mission opportunities within the MCS by:

• Promoting mission-minded initiatives through strategic new ministries,
• Supporting and accompanying congregations and leadership involved in missional projects,
• Recommending allocation of financial, human and material resources for the purpose of evangelism to the Synod Council

D.R.E.A.M.

Developing

Developing in this context is both descriptive and action oriented! On the one hand we are engaged and chartered to serve and guide “developing” and “re-developing” ministries as they follow the Spirit in their respective corners of the Kingdom to bring Grace and Blessings to their communities in many forms. On the other hand, we assist ministries in “developing”, vis-à-vis creating, building, expanding and growing Discipleship in collaboration with congregations, local mission teams, and the broader Church, helping some to fill a void, and others to plant new roots where previously there were few if any options for believers to live out their Faith where they feel welcomed.

David Nowland

Revolutionary

Revolutionary means literally to “roll back,” the way planets spin on their axes and revolve around the sun. But for centuries this word has also meant to cause a new order to come into being. God’s Holy Spirit is birthing a new vision of being church right here, right now. The effective church of the future studies the lessons learned from the past. The revolutions we see in our own day inform and inspire needed new and renewed voices in ministry. The DREAM Team is a creative catalyst for new and developing ministries and actively supports ministries that feed God’s people today and tomorrow. We also relentlessly stand up with those whom the church has excluded or minimized in the past. We are not simply helping old systems to continue; we are actively working to support and encourage new ways of God communicating to this era of vastly new technologies, sensitivities, and understandings of what it fundamentally means to be human, a creature of the Creator.

Pastor. Chris Wogaman

Engaging

Engaging always implies being in relationship. Whether gears on machinery, pledging oneself to a person in a covenant or committing oneself to a contract or simply being involved in an activity; engaging always requires being in relationship. As it relates to the DREAM team “engaging” expresses the MCS’s desire not only resource but be in relationship with strategic missions. It also reflects the need for effective missions to connect with constituent members and collaborate with community stakeholders as well as their congregation.

Pastor Robert E. Biekman, MCS Director for Evangelical Mission & Associate to the Bishop

Accompanying

Accompanying in the context of the DREAM Team, the word ‘Accompany’ embodies the idea of companionship/support we offer those (churches, teams and individuals) that are working to build ministry in their own communities. Tailored for each project, the DREAM team can ‘accompany’ others in many ways. Some recent examples include: (1) being a resource (or connecting them with requested resources), (2) through thoughtful conversations, active listening, and curiosity – designed to help the project overcome challenges that are encountered, and (3) affirming the good (and hard) work that is being done in their communities, for the sake of God’s kingdom.

Jennifer Phillips, MCS Mission Developer

Missions

We’ve all heard The Great Commission – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19. This is our mission as Christians, and it’s that same mission that inspires the Metro Chicago Synod’s D.R.E.A.M. Team! The “M” in D.R.E.A.M. stands for “Missions.” There are many different ways to make disciples and to fulfill Christ’s mission. The D.R.E.A.M. Team seeks to empower and accompany congregations and organizations who seek to make disciples in creative, inspiring and revolutionary ways! Just as Jesus promises to be with us in his Great CO-Mission, the D.R.E.A.M. Team recognizes that we are all partners in mission. We’re in this ministry together, and Jesus CO-missions, leads us and empowers us!

Pastor Pete Warmanan