Local Mission Fund

Projects will need to align with the following selection criteria:

1. The project enhances the missional culture of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.
   
2. The project supports the fostering of a missional community within the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.
   
3. The project will help to equip people for mission.
   
4. The project reflects foundational Lutheran theological principles such as: salvation by grace through faith, authority of Scripture, etc.
   
5. The project is able to identify the people your mission intends to reach and serve with the gospel.  
6. The ability to demonstrate that you have proposed measures of success. 
7. Evidence of collaboration with other Lutheran entities such as congregations, districts and/or agencies. 
8. Evidence of sustainability beyond the initial project grant, i.e., how your organisation will help to embed this mission approach into the ongoing work and culture of your congregation, agency, district, or region. 
9. Understand the level of potential risk that may delay, hinder, or prevent your mission project from a timely completion. 
10. Evidence of local capacity and leadership, i.e., have you appointed a project team?
11. Evidence of project planning including how lessons learned will inform future directions. 
12. Willingness to share stories of success and failure to help others in the LCANZ embarking on similar projects learn from your experience. 
13. Agreement to receive project implementation support (coaching) and provide reporting to the LCANZ for the lifetime of the mission project. 

The selection committee is responsible for choosing mission-aligned projects for the LCANZ Local Mission Fund to support. They are appointed annually, and comprise:

• LCANZ Churchwide Bishop 
• 1 x additional College of Bishops representative 
• 2 x Council for Local Mission representatives 
• 1 x District Mission Director (nominee appointed by the District Mission Directors) 
• 2 x Congregational practitioners or missional practitioners 
• Local Mission Coordinator (Consultant) 
• Additional expertise from agencies (as required)

Projects recommended by the selection committee will require further endorsement from the College of Bishops and General Church Board. 

A short progress report will be due six months after funding is received, and a full progress report will be due 12 months after the funding is received and/or at the completion of the funding period. Templates will be provided to assist you in your reporting. 

The LCANZ is committed to supporting each project by providing the assistance of the Churchwide Local Mission Coordinator through application support, coaching, project monitoring, implementation and reporting requirements to all approved applications.  

It is expected that applicants will observe and comply with the LCA Work, Health and Safety policies, and procedures i.e. Working With Children Check (WWCC) and Church Safe expectations.