Risk-taking Mission and Justice

#
Meet the hard-working members of the Risk-taking Mission and Justice team: (Back row, left to right): Susan Perry of Holdrege; Tom Black and Fred Richart of Auburn; Secundino Morales, Gateway District superintendent; and Rebeccca Hjelle from Kearney First UMC. (Front row, left to right): Carol Windrum, RTMJ staff; Andrea Paret of Norfolk First UMC, Susan Schoen ofCozad FUMC; Pauletta Lehn, campus minister at Nebraska Wesleyan; and Lyle Schoen, guest. Not pictured: Charlotte Abram from TRI-Community in Omaha, Sandy Sypherd from Columbus First and Judy Dangler from Hampton.

Risk-taking mission and justice is one of the six signs of discipleship in the Nebraska Conference

The above photo was taken during an extended work session at Camp Comeca in October 2009.Each person brings their own perspectives to the work of the RTMJ Team as well as experiences from their local churches. Together, through prayer and sharing, the team is continually striving to be a resource to local churches in the arena of taking risks and doing justice for the transformation of God's world.

The RTMJ team leads in a bold and creative conferencewide ministry that Creates opportunities for young adult, lay members and clergy to deepen their faith, collaborate, and build their capacity to be disciples who can make a difference. It empowers local churches to:

  • engage in risk-taking mission that challenges people to take risks leading to faithful action
  • engage in justice ministries that strive to eliminate systems of oppression within our communities and the world.

    to top
    Hispanic/Latino Ministry at the First United Methodist Church in Columbus involves two ELL classes each week in which a traditional classroom approach is used in combination with the computer based Rosetta Stone English program. Students practice the skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking English. Along with these classes, many other activities make up the Hispanic/Latino Ministry.

    Story of a Lay Missioner


    Sandy Sypherd is a Lay missioner in Columbus, Nebraska. Hispanic/Latino Ministry began on July 1, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church in Columbus. Gary Main, the District Superintendent of the Prairie Rivers District at the time, asked her to work for the district as a Lay Missioner in the church. She has been certified as a Lay Missioner after completing Modules I and II of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministries.

    The mission of this ministry is to have a Lay Missioner/Pastor team that forms a partnership, and that this team will become an agent of change within the church and society that operates from the demands of the gospel. Ultimately, the mission of Hispanic/Latino Ministry is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the good news of God's grace and by exemplifying Jesus' command to love God and our neighbors.

    To learn more about the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministries go to the website here.
    to top

    Scholarships available for the Horizons of Faith event at FUMC in Omaha


    The Risk-taking Mission and Justice Team is providing scholarships for Nebraska United Methodist to participate in the Horizons of Faith event being held at FUMC in Omaha, March 12-13, 2010. The theme is Justice for the Common Good with keynote speakers, Emilie Townes and Tex Sample. For more information about the event, go here.

    The $45 scholarships are provided so that individuals can return to their churches, communities and districts and share what they learned. The specific expectations and scholarship application can be found by downloading the application below.

    The deadline has been extended and applications are now due February 18th.
    to top

    Now taking internship applications for 2010—Micah Corps to build on success of 2009


    Please download flyer and share with others!

    A project of the Risk-taking Mission and Justice Ministries Team, this 10-week internship is geared toward Nebraska United Methodist young adults post-high school to 25 years of age who want to strengthen their relationship with God and act on their faith!
    What can a young adult get from this experience? Here are some comments from 2009 Micah Corps interns:

    "Through this internship I began to deepen my walk with God. Before the internship, I was not very religious... I did not think of Him (God) like I do now. I feel that he is a friend, a teacher, a father, and any other support I could ever need. I felt like God was with me every step of the way." Rachel Boellstorff of Homer, Neb., and a student at Nebraska Wesleyan

    "For this summer, I was interested in leadership development and sharpening my skills in writing, facilitating, organizing, loving every person (this seems to me to be a skill, requiring much practice) and working well with the other interns. The opportunity to lead discussions, give sermons, create promotional items and being responsible for completing work and keeping track of the schedule were all extremely helpful. My time in the districts gave me a sense of my own idea of risk-taking mission. Risk-taking mission means stepping outside of what is comfortable and acceptable and normal, and reaching out in love to those you find there. This is the most valuable gift I received from the Micah Corps." Sabrina Miller, Lewllen, Neb. and a Hastings College graduate

    "Learning different types of prayer, especially learning from such interesting pastors, was a successful aspect to the program, because if we forget why we are advocating for justice, then we can eventually forget the path (Jesus') which we follow. I feel that it was the perfect and most rewarding internship I could have had. The people I met, whether host families, pastors, or congregations will stick with me forever. It truly had a great impact on my life." Brian Copley, Syracuse, Neb., and a student at Nebraska Wesleyan

    "At the General Board Church and Society I learned that I need to be working with people who are oppressed by the system but also be the person who advocates for them. My first significant action was lobbying in Washington D.C.. I felt so empowered and that I made a difference. Everything we did in the Micah Corps really integrated faith and action..." Kathryn Cunningham, Norfolk, NE and a student at Hastings College

    "The concept of being open really has broadened with this internship. I feel that there has been a shift within me that has encouraged me to be more uncomfortable by putting myself in situations where I will be alone on an issue, but still learn a great deal from the experience. That idea in itself has been the definition of this summer for me." Ross Janovec, Papillion, NE and a student at Nebraska Wesleyan

    Applications and publicity flyers are found below. The flyer should be folded the long way to be used correctly. Applications will be received until March 20, 2010. Selection of interns will be announced March 31, 2010.
    to top

    2010 RTMJ Plan


    The conference voted on this plan for Risk-taking Mission and Justice at Annual Conference in June, 2009. See how you and your local church can work with the RTMJ Team to take risks and seek justice in the courageous spirit of Christ!
    to top

    RTMJ Team Minutes


    Check back here on regular basis for the latest updates from the RTMJ team. You will find meeting minutes posted below.
    to top

    Omaha Story Found in November Newsletter of "Justice for Our Neighbors"


    Click on the link below to access and read November's Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) Network Newsletter. In it you will find a "Client Success Story" from Omaha. While you are there, please take the time to look around JFON's website and become familiar with this ministry.
    to top

    John 10:10 Challenge on Health Care Reform


    If you want peace, work for justice! Become informed and engaged in the health care debate from a biblical and UM perspective. Join the John 10:10 Challenge!
    to top

    RTMJ Resources

    Check out these resources related to RTMJ! Just click on the link, download the resources, and share with all!
    • RTMJ Flyer
      Acquaint your congregations with just a few Risk-taking Mission and Justice opportunities. Download this flyer and share with others.
    • GBGM Young Adult Flyer
      Pass this information on to young adults in your life! The General Board of Global Ministries has several domestic and international options for young adults to experience risk-taking mission and justice work!
    to top

    Social Justice Seed Money Form

    If your local church has a great idea to become more involved in risk-taking mission and justice work, but just needs a little seed money to get started, check out this information about RTMJ funds. The funding deadline has passed for 2009, but look at this form to prepare for the 2010 deadline.
    to top

    So, what is "risk-taking mission?"


    Nebraska Conference local churches are shaping ministries around six signs of discipleship. One of the signs is risk-taking mission and justice work.

    As congregations address this particular sign, questions soon arise, "So, what is risk-taking mission? Isn't all mission, risk-taking?"

    Bishop Robert Schnase is helpful at this point. He writes in Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations: "Risk-taking steps into greater uncertainty, a higher possibility of discomfort, resistance, or sacrifice. Risk-taking mission and service take people into ministries that push them out of their comfort zone, stretching them beyond the circle of relationships and practices that routinely define their faith commitments.

    God uses such ministries to expose church members to people, situations, and needs that they would never ordinarily encounter and that reveal to them spiritual qualities and practical talents that, apart from their deliberate intention of serving Christ, they would never discover.

    The most poignant of Jesus' teachings and practices were costly

    demonstrations of unexpected love that transformed lives, families, communities, and the world.

    Disciples called to risk-taking mission do not ignore "ordinary" missions such as bringing canned goods for a food pantry or putting mittens on a Christmas tree which are expressions of care and compassion, but a sign of a deepening journey of following Jesus calls each of us to discomfort, resistance, sacrifice and costly demonstrations of unexpected love.

    As your congregation works on more intentional risk-taking missions, using Bishop Schnese's insights can be helpful.

    We would like to share stories from congregations who are practicing risk-taking mission. Please send them to the Risk-taking Mission and Justice (RTMJ) Team at rtmj@gmail.com or mail to 3735 No. 39th St., Omaha, NE 68111-2621.
    to top