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Missio Dei: The Church Sent
Purposefully, Impactfully, and Faithfully Embracing God's Call
About this Course
Missio Dei was designed to explore how to guide those around you into embracing what it truly means to be the church. Come and live into the call to bring God's mission and love to the world!
What You’ll Be Able to Do:
Are you ready to answer God's call to a missional life? Whether you're a judicatory leader seeking to transform your synod or a ministry leader longing to revitalize your community, Missio Dei is your chance to guide those around you into embracing what it truly means to be the church. Come and live into the call to bring God's mission and love to the world!
Join us to gain clarity on the church's unique calling, explore what it means that we are a people sent by God, and develop a personalized plan to lead your church and community towards an approach that focuses outwards instead of inward. As you step into this adventure, we pray you'll inspire those around you and revitalize your faith through practical, communal action and service! Whether you're a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey into a deeper understanding of what it means to truly be the missional church, our course provides the tools, insights, and support you and your community need to join in God's good work in the world around you. We invite you to take the first step today.
Modules
Welcome
Get oriented to the course, meet your instructor, download the interactive handbook, and more.
Introduction to Missional Church
In this module, you will:
- Understand the differences between the attractional and the missional church models.
- Examine your own ministry setting for evidence of these models.
- Identify how the missional model was evident in the early church.
Missio Dei = The Church Sent
In this module, you will:
- Learn how the Trinity provides a model for the sent church.
- Appreciate the ways that the church can advance God’s work in the world.
- Consider how you are part of the “sent church.”
Joining in God’s Mission
In this module, you will:
- Learn the importance of watching for God at work.
- Develop your ability to see your community with new eyes.
- Consider how you might join in God’s work around you.
Reorienting our Imagination
In this module, you will:
- Learn about the importance of repentance.
- Embrace the ways that God calls and sends God’s people.
- Develop an action plan for becoming more missional.
The Missional Church in Action
In this module, you will:
- Learn about the restorative work of God.
- Explore stories of missional ministries.
- Begin a plan to help you and your church take missional action steps.
Completing the Course
Find out your next steps as you complete the course and how to stay connected with your group. You'll also be able to submit feedback about your course.
One-time purchase
$55
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$0*
Get a free public display license to use for group study.
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- Modules:
7 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors
Edwin Ortiz-Rivera
Edwin Ortiz-Rivera is a pastor, the Mission Developer, and the Multiethnic Coordinator for the Southwestern Texas Synod of the ELCA. He was a missionary in Spain and has more than 20 years of missionary experience, including a Master’s Degree in mission. Pastor Edwin is the author of two novels: La Travesía del Cucubano and La Gaviota y el Gorrión. His favorite role is being a grandpa, and he enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with family and friends around the table, and meeting new people.
Chris Steubing
Chris Steubing is a pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Canyon Lake, Texas. He previously oversaw congregational vitality and new ministry initiatives as Director for the Evangelical Mission of the Southwestern Texas Synod of the ELCA.
Steubing attended Texas Lutheran University (B.A.) and Luther Seminary (M.Div.) and worked in several churches as a youth and family minister and a praise band leader before ordination. His most recent congregational ministry setting was a specialized mission partnership with the ELCA and the St. Paul Area Synod, where he led a congregation through a multi-year process of spiritual and organizational renewal. He is passionate about family, music, the San Antonio Spurs, and equipping the baptized people of God to follow Jesus in everyday life.
Ready to Enroll?
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One-time purchase
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access the leaders guide for group study
- Access the course workbook for individual study
- A private, supportive online community
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- Access every live and recorded workshop
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- Access to this on-demand course
- Access to all 40+ on-demand courses
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What to Expect with a Faith+Lead Academy Course
You’ll get a transformative learning experience that combines trustworthy theological teaching with spiritual practices, interactive elements, and a supportive online community.
Know
Expand your theological toolkit with fresh insights for today’s ministry landscape. Connect timeless wisdom with practical frameworks for navigating change.
Be
Do
Practice skills to lead confidently in your ministry context. Take actionable steps to invite your community into God’s unfolding story.
Every Academy course is designed to
Help your growth in one of these core areas:
Develop a Christ-centered identity, grounded in theology, scripture, and spiritual practice, that empowers community members to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life.
Tell the story of Jesus and invite neighbors into Jesus’ way of life and love through words and actions they can recognize.
Listen deeply, name God’s presence in the midst of everyday life, and form life-giving relationships across all dimensions of diversity—both within and beyond the church.
Through mutual relationships with the neighbors among whom you’re hosted, join in acts of compassion, justice, and reconciliation as a witness to the ministry of Jesus—especially in places of suffering and despair.
Harness skills of agile leadership, stewardship, fundraising, entrepreneurism, and management to be nimble enough to respond to a changing cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect when I take an Academy course?
Academy courses consist of 6-10 lessons or modules, each walking you through the “know, be, do” learning framework. You’ll learn some new information with instructor videos and other resources (know). You’ll engage in a spiritual practice that will help you develop your faith around the topic (be). Then, you’ll be asked to apply what you’ve learned through activities completed online or in the “real world” (do).
How long will it take me to complete a course?
Each module is designed to take 15-45 minutes. Some learners complete the course in as little as one day. Some do a module a day or even a module a week. We suggest allowing some time between modules to process what you are learning, but not so much time that you lose momentum.
What resources are available if I’m a group leader?
Each course includes a flexible leader’s guide with multiple pathways for group facilitation. You’ll find thought-provoking discussion questions and practical activities that connect faith with daily life, designed to work with whatever preparation time you have available. These resources equip you to foster meaningful discipleship experiences that meet your community where they are.
What do I need to know about the free private online social group?
The private online group allows you to connect with others. Because our courses don’t have a required start or stop date, you will encounter others in different places in the course and even in different courses altogether. This is by design. Feel free to interact as much or as little as you like.
What should I do if I have questions or problems with my registration?
Reach out via email to faithlead@luthersem.edu with your question and we’ll get back to you with a response within two business days.
What if I have a suggestion or request for a course topic?
The best way to connect with us is to complete this form with your suggestion. We always want to hear your feedback. You may also include it in the comments section of the course evaluation.
Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at support@faithlead.org for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!