Outreach Training - Join the Team
How does one become a team member of The 72?
The 72—Partners on the Road are looking for people who have a compassion for the unchurched. Team members have an active awareness of Christ’s grace in their lives. Most have experience in evangelism ministry that might provide insight for and benefit other congregations.
Members of The 72 can be individuals or couples who will serve in teams typically made up of two or three members. A large congregation or multi-congregation assignment may require a team of four individuals. Members do not need to be church workers, but an interest in and gift of facilitating/leading a group is suggested.
Members of The 72 must be members in good standing in an LCMS congregation.
How much time is required from my personal schedule?
Each congregation partnership can be varied in length, between three consecutive weeks, and four weekends in one twelve month period of time. Usually, those who apply are retired.
Preparation time prior to the assignment may become shorter as a team is more experienced in the ministry, but for the first few assignments, a team should expect to spend about 10 hours a week preparing for their role in the partnership at least three to four weeks before arriving on site. Applicants should have this much time available to partner with a congregation.
How much does it cost to be a member of a team of The 72?
The 72 ministry understands that its members are volunteers and are not paid to partner with congregations. Therefore, the cost is kept low in every possible way, for both the member of The 72 and the congregation.
TO BE TRAINED:
The 72, through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod's Office of National Mission, covers the cost for the on-site training’s room and board. The ministry does require attendance at the on-site training event. Yet, the team member is responsible for the expense to travel to the training event.
WHILE PARTNERING WITH A CONGREGATION:
The congregation accepts the responsibility of providing housing, food and reimbursement for the travel expenses of all team members.
How do I become a member of The 72 ministry?
Request an application from The 72 by calling 888-THE LCMS (888-843-5267) or sending an email to infocenter@lcms.org and requesting that an application be sent to you.
After The 72 receives your application, two requests for letters of reference will be sent to the names you provided on the application. Once these are received, the application and reference responses are processed for consideration. Applicants will be notified of approval of admittance for training by The 72 through an e-mail or written letter.
When is the next training event?
The next Training Event will be scheduled sometime in 2013. The exact date has not yet been determined. It will take place at Saint Paul Institute for Education (SPIFE) in Concordia, Mo., on the campus of Saint Paul Lutheran High School.