MINISTRY SITE PROFILE: NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD ELCA

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1 MINISTRY SITE PROFILE: NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD ELCA INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND With open minds and a spirit of exploration, we look forward with gratitude and anticipation, celebrating where we ve been as we transition into our new future, discerning and welcoming the leader God has called to take us there. --Vision Statement of Northwestern Minnesota Synod Bishop Transition Commission At the 2017 Northwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly, Bishop Larry Wohlrabe announced that he plans to retire at the end of his second term as bishop, following the synod assembly in Prior to the 2017 assembly, the Northwestern Minnesota Synod Council formed a Bishop Transition Commission in order to prepare the synod for this transition in the office of bishop. Part of the work of the Bishop Transition Commission was to create this document, which serves as a Ministry Site Profile for the synod. This document s purpose is to give those who feel that God is calling them to an openness to consider serving as our synod s bishop an idea of (1) who we are as a synod, (2) some of the opportunities and challenges that are present, as well as (3) the characteristics, qualities and abilities we as a synod seek in a bishop. In order to help create this document, the Bishop Transition Commission engaged the services of Holy Cow! Consulting. In January of 2018, Synod leaders, rostered leaders of congregations, 1

2 congregational program staff, and lay leaders serving on congregational councils were asked to participate in an online assessment tool called the Landscape, which has been designed to assist in transitions like our synod s. Across the synod, 247 respondents completed the Landscape. The Landscape results have been integral in the creation of this document. Access to the raw Landscape results is available upon request, but may not be helpful without interpretation. Members of the Bishop Transition Commission are available to talk through the Landscape results if desired. Bishop Transition Commission Rev. Matt Peterson (Chair) Rev. Nate Bendorf Rev. Jonathan Dodson Sue Ellwanger Matthew Greenwaldt Ken Greiner Rev. Greg Isaacson Rev. Jean Ohman Madi Olson Jerry Peterson, SAM Allen Westby, SAM WHO WE ARE -- THE NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD The purpose of the NWMN synod is to serve God s mission by focusing its entire life on calling, raising up, forming in faith and spiritual leadership and sending the next generation of disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have a heart for God s Mission to redeem creation. The synod is the hands and feet of God s mission. As Christ followers led by God s Holy Spirit we join in that work to bring hope and healing, reconciliation and redemption to the world. pray and are guided by the message of scripture to discern God s will in NWMN synod. live out the Greatest Commandment of Matthew 22, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. live out the Great Commission in Matthew 28 to Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. are missional pioneers, led out of our comfort zones by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness of the communities and contexts God has called us to serve. are not a settled church comfortable with the status quo, but rather a sent church that sees itself as on the move for the sake of the gospel and the sake of the world. (Rick Rouse and Craig VanGelder, Field Guide for the Missional Congregation, Augsburg Fortress 2008, 25). Following this purpose, the primary work of the leadership of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod is organized into three areas: Cultivating Connections Mobilizing Resources Raising Up Leaders The Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA is geographically diverse. The Red River outlines our western boundary, the Canadian border lies to the north, and the Mississippi River runs from its headwaters on our eastern edge. This geography includes open prairies and forested hills, manufacturing and recreational industries, lake cabins and hunting/fishing paradises, small and large farms, and institutions of higher education throughout. 2

3 Historically, our region is the ancestral homeland to first nations Native Americans followed by European immigrant settlers. While our cultures are becoming increasingly mixed we have strong traditions in history and the arts through our distinct Native American and European heritages. Education is a priority for the people of our synod. This is made evident through our strong public and private institutions, community colleges, trade schools, and university campuses. All of these schools bring a diverse mix of academic, arts, sports, and community offerings to the people of our synod. Our congregations vary in size, settings, mission, and outreach. There is a wide variety of faith expressions among our congregations in worship, prayer, and service. The Northwestern Minnesota Synod encompasses twenty-one counties of the state. An estimated 418,521 persons reside in these 21 counties, making up only 7.5% of the entire population of Minnesota. Nearly half the population of the synod s territory reside in just four counties: Beltrami, Clay, Douglas and Otter Tail. Four of the synod s counties have populations of less than 5,000 each (Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Red Lake and Traverse counties). Between 2010 and 2017 the population of these 21 counties rose by roughly 10,000 persons. However, 11 of the 21 counties lost population between 2010 and 2017 and the territory of the synod included three (Kittson, Lake of the Woods and Traverse counties) of the nine Minnesota counties that lost the most population between 2010 and Topographically the northwestern area of the synod encompasses the Minnesota side of the Red River Valley, some of the richest (and flattest!) farmland in America. The southeastern area of the synod includes equally rich farmland. The northeastern area of the synod is filled with forested land and lakes with several large resort/recreation areas. The north central portion of the synod includes vast tracts of scrub brush, bogs, and less-fertile farmland. Economically the main industries in the synod include agriculture, tourism/recreation, manufacturing, healthcare, and higher education. The synod is comprised of 228 congregations of which 70% are considered small or very small (350 or fewer baptized members). These 157 congregations include only about 30% of the baptized members of the synod, however. The remaining 30% of congregations range from moderately small to very large in size, and approximately 70% of the synod s baptized members belong to these 71 congregations. About 1 in 5 residents of the synod s 21 counties are members of ELCA congregations. The synod includes nearly 88,000 baptized members of whom about 68,000 are confirmed members. Roughly 22% of the synod s baptized members attend worship each week. These Lutherans contribute nearly $29 million to their congregations annually of which an average of 4.6% is shared with the synod in the form of ELCA/synod mission support. These ELCA members also contribute generously to designated ELCA ministries such as World Hunger, Global Mission Sponsorships, Lutheran Disaster Relief and the synod s Fund for Leaders Endowment. Only about 1/3 of the synod s congregations are stand-alone churches with their own pastor(s) or Synodically Authorized Minister; the remaining 2/3 of the congregations are either in some sort of shared-ministry relationship with one or more neighboring churches or they do not have a regular pastor/synodically Authorized Minister consistently serving them. The synod is subdivided into 8 conferences which are further subdivided into a total of 24 clusters of neighboring congregations. In addition to its 228 congregations the synod includes other ELCA ministries such as: Concordia College of Moorhead (where the synod office is currently located), Lutheran Campus Ministries in Bemidji and Moorhead, Luther Crest Bible Camp of Alexandria, Pathways Bible Camps, and numerous social service ministries (e.g. senior care centers and other ministries affiliated with Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota). We also join hands with our companion synod, the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC) in India. By walking hand in hand with our companion synod, we practice 3

4 accompaniment a way of seeing the world and engaging in global mission that places mutual relationship at its core. Click link below to see a map of the NW MN Synod: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING OUR SYNOD One of the significant findings of the Landscape assessment tool was that the synod is located in the high satisfaction, high energy quadrant, a desirable place to be to engage in mission. People in our synod are satisfied with the direction of our synod, and have energy to participate in our synod s life together. Interestingly, while both clergy and lay leaders were both high on the satisfaction scale, the energy among lay leaders was significantly lower than the energy among clergy. Perhaps this is because clergy tend to be more well-informed about the ministry of our synod than lay leaders. There is certainly an opportunity to increase communication and participation in our synod s life among lay leadership in congregations. Given the geography of our synod, there has been some conversation about how the members of synod staff might be deployed in the future. Currently, the synod office is located on the campus of Concordia College in Moorhead, in the southern half of the synod, on the western border with North Dakota. All of the synod staff use this location as their office. As a result, travel to the northern and eastern parts of the synod becomes a stewardship issue of time, environment and finances. While the current staff is beginning to use online conferencing tools to reduce travel, there is an opportunity for the bishop, or an assistant, or the Director of Evangelical Mission to be deployed elsewhere in the synod, and each have a primary responsibility for 2-3 each of our 8 conferences. The main office could remain in Moorhead, but 2 or 3 staff could operate out of home offices in other locations. A transition in the office of Bishop may be a chance to more effectively redeploy synod staff. The Northwestern Minnesota Synod faces challenges related to its annual budget, primarily as it concerns staff structure. During their April 2018 meeting, members of the Synod Council approved a series of steps to address the $110,000 shortfall in congregational mission support in 2017 (resulting in a $48,000 budgetary deficit). Among these steps are changes to the synod staff structure. The synod will function for the time being with one ordained Assistant to the Bishop, and one full-time Director of Evangelical Mission. With these staffing changes, the synod s core staff will be half of what it was in 2007 when Bp. Wohlrabe was first elected from ten positions down to five positions. The Northwestern Minnesota Synod has been a pioneer in the youth ministry of the ELCA. The ELCA Youth Ministry Network and ELCA Youth Extravaganza have their roots in our synod. Our synod s Jr. and Sr. high synod gatherings have been well attended, and there has been a history of active commitment to the Lutheran Youth Organization. However, in recent years participation in these gatherings and organizations has seen a decline. The synod council has begun the process of reviewing the Lutheran Youth Organization and its gatherings as it relates to the synod s budget. Leaders from congregations are asking for guidance as they anticipate demographic, economic, and social changes that affect their congregational life and ministries. While change is recognized and coming, many leaders in congregations still face resistance to the changing dynamics of being church together. People are receptive to gentle encouragement, affirming presence, and participation in a clear direction of mission and ministry. Leaders of congregations are seeking to be equipped in these areas. 4

5 A number of smaller congregations are faced with general economies of scale that are pushing their financial frameworks. Many congregations have entered into multi-point parish arrangements served by a single pastor or Synodically Authorized Minister. Some other congregations have been able to recruit retired pastors to serve in part-time capacities. Some have strong lay leadership who carry out ongoing ministries without a rostered leader present. The increasing costs of salaries and health care, along with a shortage of clergy and church professionals are calling many congregations to consider different paradigms by which ministries will continue into the future. Compounding the issue, a good number of these congregations are dependent upon the agricultural economy which may have financially strong years and financially challenging years. Some communities in our synod are experiencing an influx of immigrant populations. This changing demographic challenges congregations to use gifts of hospitality, equality, and flexibility. Congregations are asking for leaders to teach diversity, encourage dialogue, and identify avenues of inclusivity and openness. Other communities are experiencing growth in populations due to industry expansion, recreational opportunities, and regional economic centers. Congregations are looking for ways to identify mission opportunities and offering ministries that meet needs of changing family dynamics and schedules. CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES OF NWMN SYNOD BISHOP The synod constitution describes the duties of the bishop of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod-- particularly is section S8.10 through S8.15. Click this link to see the Synod Constitution: CRITICAL ABILITIES OF NWMN SYNOD BISHOP The Landscape assessment tool asked respondents to rank 9 different critical abilities of our next bishop in order of importance. These abilities include Strategic Leadership, Coach/Train, Pastoral Care, Change Management, Administration, Resolve Conflict, Preaching, Fundraising/Development, and National Leadership. Here are the top 4 critical abilities as identified by the respondents of the Landscape, with some comments: Strategic Leadership -- Capacity to cast a vision and lead the synod toward the realization of the vision. There is recognition that the skills of casting a vision and realizing or implementing a vision are distinct skills from one another, but our hope is that a new bishop will surround themselves with people who can implement a vision that they cast. Clergy indicated a desire to offer their skills and abilities for synod purposes. Recruitment of people to carry out the vision in a strategic way will be key. Coach/Train -- Capacity to deepen understanding, form character, and equip leaders with new skills. Our church is a changing and dynamic one. Our leaders (both rostered and lay) may be equipped with skills that served the church well 15, 20 or 30 years ago...but need to opportunities and encouragement to be trained in new ways.newly ordained and those new to the synod express a desire for a bishop who is good at listening and able to mentor clergy and lay professionals through the challenges and joys of ministry. 5

6 Pastoral Care -- Capacity to engage people empathetically and care for leaders in time of need. There is a desire for a bishop who is pastoral and compassionate. An approachable demeanor will encourage people to share personal and congregational concerns. Perhaps of more importance is the ability of active listening and naming truths in ways that are loving and encouraging. A bishop who can recognize and call such gifts will build up communities and encourage collaboration. Change Management -- Capacity to lead the synod through a significant and necessary change. There is a sense among current leaders that, while all indicators of current synod ministries are positive, there is a need for change to meet the challenges of future mission in our synod. The next bishop will be called upon to navigate and inspire that change which will include an openness to consider new paradigms of ministry. These skills may include: -Hear congregational concerns and engage them in creative solutions. -Make use of emerging technologies to fit congregational contexts. -Calling and deploying synod staff in new ways to connect with congregations. -Promote recruitment of rostered and lay leaders to serve in synod. -Explore ways to connect rostered and lay leaders in supportive gatherings. PERSONAL QUALITIES OF NWMN SYNOD BISHOP The Landscape assessment tool asked respondents to rank 8 different personal qualities of our next bishop in order of importance. These qualities include Sound Judgment/Wisdom, Personal Integrity, Deeply Spiritual/Prayerful, Compassionate, Flexible, Strong Theological Background, Sense of Humor, and Humility. Here are the top 4 personal qualities as identified by the respondents of the Landscape: Sound Judgment and Wisdom -- The bishop cannot let personal feelings and perceptions interfere with decisions. Personal integrity -- Utilizing honesty and strong moral principles to set an example for other synod leaders. Deeply spiritual and prayerful -- Jesus Christ took time to go off by himself and pray. We seek a bishop who sets aside time for prayer and expects others to do the same. Compassionate -- When dealing with conflicts, hardships and just the day to day situations that arise, we value compassion in our synod. 6