The Diocese of the Midwest supports the establishment of new missions in places where there are a combination of factors indicating the Lord’s
will for the building up of the church in these locations.

In establishing a mission the Diocesan Hierarch and the Mission Development Committee assess the following factors:

• A vision for building of the Body of Christ and motivation
  for bringing the truth and life of the Orthodox Church to others

• A priest trained in mission outreach who is willing to make
  the long term sacrifices necessary for building a mission and who shows the
  abilities and skills for mission planting

• A committed core group of faithful who are mission minded
  and willing to do necessary personal outreach

• A location where there is no Orthodox presence, or a clear
  need for additional Orthodox presence that has growth potential and that fits
  into the Mission department’s plan

• An array of gifts that are necessary for a group to start
  Divine Liturgies and programs of education, outreach and stewardship

• A willingness to commit time effort and finances to the
  mission on the part of the core group