What will assure that Middleton Outreach Ministry is around for another 25, even another 5 years?  

I humbly assert that MOM will keep caring effectively for the poor, as long as we remain faithful to our four enduring values and focus our resources accordingly:

(1) Christian witness.  We “extend Christ’s compassion to all our neighbors” throughsocial justice—as we fight hunger, help find jobs, stabilize housing situations, build faith, advocate for the poor, the disabled, and the elderly—and through relational mercy —as we strive to meet real needs for caring relationships or spiritual food .

(2) Partnership and collaboration.   MOM is a partnership of 12 churches, with room to grow.  One or two more helping organizations may even share our Hubbard Avenue office space. We are not county-wide, but in order to effectively help our clients, we collaborate with agencies that are.  We have clear service boundaries (from Midvale Blvd west to Cross Plains, from the Beltline north to Waunakee).  Yet we also serve the whole MCPA school district, as well as anyone affiliated with our member churches.

(3) Excellence in programs and administration.   MOM will prioritize its own programming so that whatever we do is done with excellence, and needs we cannot meet at a high level will be referred to partner agencies.   We continue to lease property at two locations, still dreaming of consolidating services. We measure programs monthly, re-evaluate ministries quarterly, revise plans annually—as we brainstorm and plan a more excellent way.  We also creatively job-share, cross-cover, and upgrade our technical systems in our search for excellence.

(4) Servant leadership.   Service excellence implies more than just good service delivery systems.  A team spirit and servant heart are necessary.  Both are born out of love. Our team of 7 seven staff and almost 400 volunteers serve as flexibly, joyfully and lovingly as possible.  As the Bible says, “Love is the more excellent way.” 

To achieve its mission and adhere to its values, Middleton Outreach Ministry will focus resources in six key program areas:

• Our Rental Assistance Program provides mostly one-time grants of $200/month in Eviction Prevention funds or Security Deposits.  At least 75% of all RAP recipients will keep their housing for at least 6 months, year in, year out.
• Good Samaritan Emergency funds (for utilities, medical, auto repairs, transportation, and more) are extended consistently, creatively and compassionately, with caring and respectful case management.
• Commodities and collateral services (free food, clothing & furniture) extend the value of cash assistance, vouchers and case management, as measured by 12-month check-ups with Distribution Center clients and 6-month follow-up calls to clients receiving rental assistance.
• Crisis and extended care also meet spiritual needs.  Through Stephen Ministry , friends and prayer partners, we match any spiritually hungry client to a caring volunteer from within our churches.
• Our Project for Older People provides rides, home chores, and friendly visitors to Middleton’s elderly residents. We assisted more than 200 POP clients in 2004.  Aging baby-boomers and other retirees will only increase the need for these services.
• Through Adopt-A-Family and the joy of giving, the community “adopts ” low-income families at Christmas, 220 in 2004—a number that will surely grow.

I can readily tell which programs to keep in the next decade of ministry (all the above).  But to foretell what those programs will look like, or what new programs might be needed—even what place MOM will have in this community—is to go “where angels fear to tread”!

I am neither angel, nor prophet.  I am rooted in what is, what works, and what we can afford.  Re-asserting our agreed-upon “core values” is the easy part. Setting forth a moral vision, with imaginative and compelling goals that depend on God for their fulfillment—that is the hard part. 

We wait and watch to see God’s vision for MOM fulfilled.

As God reveals that vision to us over time, our responsibility is to exercise faith, patience, preparation, prayer, planning, and obedience.

That vision has compelled MOM to “make a positive, lasting difference in the lives of our neighbors.”  Client-centered goals that define “success” are collaboratively set and are as individualized as each MOM client, e.g.:  (1) attain a better-paying job; (2) find and keep stable housing; (3) take steps in “recovery.”  A measure of self-reliance for one client may be increased use of our food pantry to free up more funds to pay rent, while for another family, hoped-for self-reliance will mean less dependence on a pantry.

As people invest in people to make a positive lasting difference in our community—that is a vision worthy of MOM, worthy of a community reinvestment act by all, and worthy our God. A centuries-old Chinese proverb supports this vision: If your vision is for a year, plant wheat; if your vision is for ten years, plant trees; but if your vision is for a lifetime, plant people.

Hence, we depend on God to tap into, develop, and redistribute the resources He has already planted in this rich community.  With 100’s more MOM volunteers and sustainable funding from all sources, watch out.  MOM’s future could involve a fatherhood initiative, an Elizabeth ministry (for new moms), a development director, an endowment fund, social work interns for home visits, more mentors and staff for case management, a regular course in financial literacy, a team of prayer warriors, or even client-run entrepreneurial ventures.  Who knows? 

We do not know what the future holds, but we do know Who holds the future.

Next month we begin the final countdown to the actual 25 th anniversary events coming June 6-12.  For a preview of our weeklong birthday party, visit our 25th Anniversary Page.

© 2005 Middleton Outreach Ministry

Site design and maintenance donated by Liberty Professional Services, LLC
Hosting donated by TDS Metrocom