As you pursue your mission to welcome new Christians, God may inspire you with new ideas on how to effectively reach out to your community. Now it can be easier than ever to get your projects started with the Parish Evangelism Assistance (PEA) program.

WHAT IS PEA?

PARISH - This new tool is available to every parish in our synod. It does not matter if your parish consists of one large urban congregation or several small rural churches. The intent of PEA is to tailor specific evangelism aid and advice to the needs of any parish in our synod.

EVANGELISM - PEA is designed as a consultant resource to work with you specifically with your congregation's evangelism plans. It is not intended to be a subsidy program to help remodel your church or to help purchase non-evangelism related items. All monies and information provided will be directed for outreach work in your community.

ASSISTANCE - PEA is not intended to replace your congregation's evangelism committee or to do the outreach work for you. It is an assistance program. Part of the funding for any special evangelism effort and the day-to-day evangelism work in your parish will come from your home congregation.
HOW DOES PEA WORK?

    * If your congregation recognizes a need for evangelism assistance, you may apply by contacting Pastor Matthew Crick; the Board for Evangelism Chairman. He will provide an application asking for preliminary information and the congregation's intentions.
    * Decide whether your parish wants a complete review and evaluation of its evangelism work (longer project), or help with only one special outreach project (shorter project). (Please see below for additional details.)
    * If your application is approved, the board will assign a trained evangelism consultant to your parish (one the Board for Evangelism pastors). It will be his responsibility to communicate and work with your parish. The parish will appoint an evangelism communicator and project director to work with the consultant.

The Board for Evangelism is very excited about this program. While we do not intend this program to be a cure-all for congregations, we believe that it will be of great benefit.

We will not be able to honor every request. We will make every effort to assist as many parishes as possible, but we will operate on a first come, first served basis.

Shorter Project If your parish wants assistance on one specific project, the assigned consultant will review your plan and offer any additional help or advice. The board will provide up to half the funds for that project with the other half provided by your parish. The consultant will follow up by making sure that the parish followed all the steps of the plan. He will also evaluate your project. Your experience may prove fruitful for other parishes seeking assistance.

Longer Project  If your parish wants a complete review and consultation of all its evangelism work, your evangelism consultant will come to your parish and begin the evaluation process by providing materials for you to complete a community profile and a congregational self-study. Your consultant and the board will then process the information you provide. Your consultant will come to your parish a second time to make recommendations for your evangelism work. If your parish accepts those recommendations, your consultant will then provide the materials and the training for you to implement those recommendations. Your parish will be responsible to put the plan into action. At specific intervals your consultant will then follow up by evaluating your progress. The board will cover all travel expenses, materials, and incidental costs. The board and the parish will share the cost to implement your specific evangelism plans on a 50/50 matching funds basis.

Both the shorter and the longer PEA projects will require dedication and cooperation by the home parish and the Board for Evangelism. We hope to build a lasting fraternal relationship. The key to PEA is the board's understanding that we are here to assist you to work as hard as you can in sharing the precious Gospel.

For more information, contact Pastor Matthew Crick