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New mission groups come into being as we discern a fresh call from God to follow Christ in service to the world around us.
The process of giving birth to a new mission group begins when one of the Stewards of Seekers Church hears a new call. This person carries the emerging sense of call, deepening the discernment through prayerful reflection, journaling and conversations with her or his spiritual director and other Stewards. As the call begins to clarify, another Steward joins the discernment, so that there are at least two Stewards carrying the emerging call. Over time, others may join this process of initial group discernment.
A valid call will focus on some specific need, some area of brokenness, in the world or the church. This is a place where God’s Realm is waiting for some co-creator to bring transformation. It may seem too broad or too simple, or simply impossible. However, as the initiating group works with the images revealed in prayer and conversation, they will be shown a particular place to start.
As the call becomes clarified, the initial group will bring it to a meeting of the Stewards of Seekers Church. The Stewards review the call and share their insights with the initiating group. This may lead to further refinement by the initiating group, and a subsequent review of the refined call by the Stewards. After reflection and prayer, if there is a positive sense of the call, the Stewards affirm it.
Since many mission groups in Seekers Church carry core parts of the life of the faith community -- worship, lifelong learning, retreat -- this affirmation is a sign to all who are part of Seekers Church that this mission group has the authority to act in the name of the church. Mission groups are accountable to the Stewards for the call they have accepted.
Once the Stewards have affirmed the call of a new mission group, the initiating group sounds the call, inviting all those in Seekers Church who are ready to join them in the life of the mission group. As others join the new mission group, the group begins regular meetings, evoking, affirming and nurturing gifts of members of the group, and carrying the mission of the group.
At this point, the new mission group is on the path described earlier in this guide, following the Holy Spirit, living out God’s call on the group -- together.
When the life of a mission group generates issues or concerns that cannot be resolved within the group, the group may invite someone from outside to help facilitate the healing process. The Servant Leadership Team is committed to providing that support or working with members of the mission group to find someone else who can help. If there are issues that cannot be reconciled then it is time to discern the most constructive way to change relationships and possibly dissolve the mission group.
Mission groups pursue a mission and are not simply for sharing or study or personal and spiritual growth. Sharing or study or personal and spiritual growth might dominate from time to time, but the expectation is that they should contribute to mission. When members of a mission group find that they are not following their stated call, they usually take time to redirect their activities, discern how their call has changed, or consider ending the group.
Mission groups last as long as their calls remain vital. If a group no longer chooses to live out its call, the group should come to an end to free up the energy and attention of members to pursue other visions and callings. It is important when ending comes to honor and celebrate the life of the group and the Good News it has helped to bring into Creation. It is also important to create an opportunity for members of the group to release their own visions, commitment and hopes, so that they can be open to some fresh call from God.
When mission groups end, the members of the group should take time to help each other make a transition to some other way of belonging deeply within the community. The moderator of the group should report to the Stewards of Seekers Church on any unfinished work of the group. The Servant Leadership Team is available to help with this process of grieving and letting go. Members of a mission group that is ending should close with a time of worship and celebration to celebrate the life they have lived together.
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