The Texas District is announcing a new pilot project—its first-ever Catalyst Innovation Lab.

The project has two objectives:

1) to encourage and provide resources to congregations and other district ministries to experiment with innovative methods to catalyze mission movements (when disciples make disciples who make disciples, etc., and/or when churches plant churches that plant churches, etc.) and

2) to document the experiments so that other district ministries know what does and does not work and are inspired to their own innovative methods. Ministries may apply for up to $25,000.

The best projects will:

  • Be truly innovative—something completely different—something that hasn’t been done before (like what? —if we could answer that, it wouldn’t be a good idea!),
  • Be potentially replicable in other congregations or ministries,
  • Be sustainable with ministry resources after district funding ends,
  • Include a monetary investment from the ministry,
  • Utilize the resources of multiple members of the ministry,
  • Be connected to and supported by a congregation, school, or mission network of the Texas District,
  • Include a way within the first year to measure progress in catalyzing a mission movement (when disciples make disciples who make disciples and/or when congregations plant congregations that plant congregations).

Also of note:

  • Projects must be consistent with the biblical and confessional standards of the LCMS. They should be of a nature that reflects well on the applying ministry and other ministries of the district. (Of course!)
  • Grant recipients will be required to submit reports concerning the project according to the schedule and form requested by the district.
  • To apply for a grant, please fill out the application found here: https://forms.gle/K9EPxDP6dxX2E83a7
  • Applications are due by November 15, 2023 (so, git’er done!).
  • The lab panel will review the applications.
  • Some, but likely not all, of the applicants will be invited to give a presentation at a Shark-Tank-like experience (a FRIENDLY one) at the Texas District Mission Support Center in Austin on January 22, 2024. SO, YOU MUST BE AVAILABLE THAT DAY IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE A GRANT.
  • The lab panel will choose Grant recipients after the presentations.

The lab panel is made up of Rev. Ted Benson, Resurrection, Spring, Ms. Gladys Franco, St. Paul, Harlingen, Ms. Stephanie Knea, Gloria Dei, Houston, Ms. Charessa Koontz, Bethany, Austin, and Mr. Chris Rogers, St. Paul, Ft. Worth.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to these district staff members who are facilitating the initiative:

Rev. Dr. Jon Braunersreuther, jon.braunersreuther@txlcms.org

Rev. Ben Gonzales, bgonzales@txlcms.org

Rev. Pete Mueller, pmueller@txlcms.org