two words change everything…

Loved and Sent are a shorthand answer for identity and purpose.  Who am I?  I am loved by God in Christ, a baptized child redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. What is my purpose?  I am sent by God for really important work in vocation and witness, the Great Commandment and Great Commission.

What began as a local pastor’s attempt to create a theologically sound, concise, and compelling rallying cry for followers of Jesus has become the life force of a movement that has impacted congregations, regional, and national networks.

Why has this happened?

Loved and Sent are an entry point into our profound profession of faith. The gospel and mission. Justification and sanctification. Word and Sacrament leading to Christian ministry in daily life.  God’s work for us, and God’s work through us. Receive and Respond.

Loved and Sent are a theological compass for Christian life and ministry. The words reflect the two kinds of righteousness. They reflect the essence of our Christian life and worship as we receive God’s gifts and respond with works before man.  

Loved and Sent are a ministry guidepost.  They help us make decisions in our church by keeping us focused on the most critical things.  

Loved and Sent are a memorable statement for all God’s people, from 2-year-olds to 92-year-olds. They are simple markers with profound theological meaning. This is helpful for everyday, ordinary Christians.  

Loved and Sent are useful in communicating the faith in modern culture. They are “bridge words.” They are found in Scripture and are common in everyday vernacular.  
Loved and Sent are handles for everyday Christian witness. They give an easy starting point for conversation in the elevator, sidewalk, school, and workplace. A 6-year-old once told his teacher, “I’m loved by God and sent toyou.”  
 
What does Loved and Sent look like in action? A growing movement where…

1. Individuals center their lives around these two simple words, seeking to be more rooted in their identity in Christ and open to the many ways God is sending them out to love their neighbors.

2. Churches allow Loved and Sent to create a spirit of sending where a firm identity in Christ allows the congregation to think more sacrificially about how they send their people and resources out to bless the communities near and far.

3. Regional networks leverage the uniting nature of Loved and Sent to link arms with other congregations and ministries to pursue missional aims that are better done together. Locally in St. Louis, Loved and Sent has been a driving force in a growing ministry ecosystem that features a number of networks that facilitate relationships, learning, and collaboration:


At the top of the funnel, Send Me St. Louis (Send Me) gathers ministry leaders from around St. Louis for training on healthy community engagement and volunteer management. Additionally, Send Me serves as a proactive relationship development force within the Lutheran community, engaging new and established leaders, building trust, and making connections.


Flowing from the broad base of relationships developed by Send Me, the St. Louis Regional Mission Network (STLRMN) emerged to take relationships a step deeper. The network was established for LCMS leaders of all types (intentionally not only pastors) who wanted to develop deeper relationships, be challenged in their thinking, and respond to needs and opportunities together. This network has created the fertile soil for real collaborative action.


Flowing from the STLRMN, The Alliance was formed to invite a diverse set of congregations into even deeper connection with a focus on doing things together. This has looked like sermon series, resource sharing, and joining together to support local ministries.  


As the Alliance gained traction and grew, the group began to think even bigger, dreaming about an effort that truly could only be done together. This effort has become known as the Harbor Leadership Collective and seeks to raise up and invest in the next generation of leaders.   

 

4. Aligned ministries from around the country join together as a loose national network for prayer, encouragement, community, and a mutual spurring on to engage the new ministry frontier.