Mission Collaborative Unites Small Churches in Outreach
by Courtney Ellis
Many small churches want to serve their communities, but find it difficult to do so with few volunteers or an aging population.
Two years ago, Pastor Cate Luehr was serving a small ELCA congregation part-time. She witnessed their passion for mission but also their struggles in pulling together enough people to hold events and make a difference. Then, in conversation with another local pastor, Paige Eaves at La Mirada UMC, she realized that they were in similar boats. The seed of an idea was born.
“We’re smaller and older,” said Luehr. “How can we collaborate?” While Eaves did not live locally, Luehr did, and she began reaching out to other nearby churches in hopes of starting mission-minded partnerships. Thus Mission Collaborative, “communities of faith serving Whittier and La Mirada” was born.
Rev. Maggie Goodwin pastors both Whittier Presbyterian Church and Salem Lutheran, congregations that worship together as “Woven in Faith.” These congregations have become two of Mission Collective’s partner churches, a collection that also includes Whittier First United Methodist, La Mirada UMC, Whittier First Friends Church, and Good Samaritan Metropolitan Church.
“It was initially this thing between Cate and Paige,” said Goodwin, “but when she looped me in, I was like, ‘Absolutely! We are on board!’” Each of the congregations has felt the boost of both greater energy and stronger connectionalism since joining Mission Collaborative.
Pr. Maggie and others at the Whittier Christmas Parade
Noted Goodwin, “We marched in the [Whittier] Christmas parade this year, and that was something we couldn’t do on our own. We did a Seniors 101 class and brought people in to be able to talk about how to access particular resources, that kind of stuff.”
Goodwin particularly appreciates the opportunity to pool resources with the other churches in the collective, offering a wider variety of classes and opportunities than her congregations could manage on their own.
“It’s given us things to add to our newsletter,” she said. “Things to look forward to. For Lent, we’re sharing studies.”
One of the strengths of Mission Collaborative (MC) is its focus on loving its literal neighbors—responding to the needs of those who live in the immediate surrounding community with things like opiod overdose reversal education and putting together hygiene kits for those suffering from homelessness.
“We are hyper-local,” said Luehr, noting that part of Mission Collaborative’s goal was to partner with churches right in Whittier and La Mirada. “If someone in, say, Long Beach wanted to partner with us, we’d encourage them to start their own local collaborative.” Luehr said MC would be more than willing to consult with any interested pastors or congregations on how to form their own organization of this kind in their area.
One of the qualities that has helped Mission Collaborative in its focus is a clear definition of who it is and what principles guide it. MC defines itself as “a collection of progressive churches in Southeast LA County who collaborate to expand our ability to serve and be forces of change in our wider community.” They join together each month to support one another, offer outreach, participate in mission and ministry, and pursue opportunities for social justice.
Mission Collaborative’s guiding principles include a full affirmation of both women and LGBTQAI+ people in ordained ministry, as well as offering “love, care, collaboration with, and support to people regardless of their immigration status.” They hold these first three principles dearly, while also affirming “every expression of faith” without requiring “uniformity of faith or belief to achieve unity,” according to their newsletter.
Luehr expressed that Mission Collaborative is more than open to working with congregations that don’t fully sign on to all of their guiding principles, particularly when they had other overlaps in need or mission.
Hygiene Kit assembly for Homeless people in Whittier
“Even if you’re not on board with women in ministry or fully queer-affirming, you might want to come to this aging seminar and learn,” she said. “We’re not going to compromise these values, but even if you don’t agree with these things, come and join us for what you do.”
As the ministry grew, it became clear that a coordinator would be helpful and Luehr took on that role in a part-time capacity. One of her goals with Mission Collaborative in 2025 is to add at least one more full partner church to its ranks. As we spoke, she was working on a mailing to local churches encouraging just that.
In November of 2023, Mission Collaborative applied for a grant from the Presbytery of Los Ranchos, which was approved. According to Goodwin, those funds have had an outsized impact on the ministry of MC.
“It helps to sponsor smaller churches that can’t afford to contribute much,” she said. “We were hoping each church would contribute $3,000 per year, which some can do and some can’t.” The funds MC takes in go to overhead like printing, mailing, and community resources, as well as to pay outside speakers and to compensate Luehr.
Goodwin noted that the smaller churches, while often unable to contribute the full amount hoped for, have more than made up for this with their enthusiasm and participation. “These small congregations have been involved in everything,” she said.
If you or your congregation is interested in learning more about Mission Collaborative, donating toward or joining in their efforts, or perhaps even starting something similar in your area, contact Coordinator Cate Luehr or (562) 631-6290.
Courtney Ellis, Associate Pastor at Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo, is an author and storyteller. Courtney reports on the presbytery’s mission partnerships.
Courtney’s latest book is Looking Up: A Birders Guide to Hope Through Grief, published by InterVarsity Press.