Northwest Synod of Wisconsin This is who we are: The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin: walking together for the sake of mission in God s world. We are the synod together! A look at our shared ministry Congrega(onal Support Book of Faith Synod Synod Resource Center Call Process/Leadership transi;on Administra;ve support Crisis/Conflict support Preaching by synod staff at: anniversaries, installa;ons, ordina;ons, sabba;cals, crises Communica;on via: website, mail, e- mail, E- Clips, E- Vents, God s Work, Our Hands, Northwest Network, Talking Turkey, other publica;ons and resources Leadership Support and Development Lay School of Ministry Congrega;onal Mission Resource Event Middle School Gathering Raising Up Leaders Initiative Youth Workers Network Synod support to Na;onal Youth Gathering Senior High Gathering Godstock Cherish Our Children Soul Support (for secretaries) Candidacy Process Interim Pastor s Gathering Senior Pastor s Colleague Group Personal visits with synod staff Stewardship Events First Call Theological Educa;on LYO Board Training Personal Coaching Interim Ministry mee;ngs Boundaries Workshops Pre- Re;rement Seminar Synodically Authorized Ministers Fall Ministry Conference Winter Theological Event Beyond Local Ministries Lutheran Campus Ministry Wartburg Seminary and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago ELCA Colleges and Universi;es Lutheran Outdoor Ministries 1 Wisconsin Council of Churches (WCC) Lutheran Office of Public Policy in Wisconsin Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin (LSS) Companion Synod rela;onships (Malawi and Brazil) ELCA World Hunger Appeal ELCA Disaster Response Lutheran World Relief Global Health Twin Ports Ministry to Seafarers ELCA Churchwide CommiZee and Task Force work Fisher s Net/Select Na;onal gathering of LYO Presidents (CSLYOPS) Women of the ELCA Synod Assembly Synod Council Conference Assemblies Task Forces
The word synod comes from two Greek words: syn (together) and hodos (a way) A way together or walking together There are some things that can t be done alone. There are some things that are too hard to do alone. There are some things that are too good to keep to yourself. There are some things that we are called to do together. Together is an important idea for understanding Chris5anity and the Church. Chris5ans are joined to the Church through bap5sm into Christ The Chris5an Church is understood as the Body of Christ with individual parts that contribute to the whole The gi@s given by the Holy Spirit are meant to build up the whole body through sharing In Christ, Chris5ans are joined together in a common fellowship. God has intended us to func5on at our best in rela5onship to each other We are a part of something larger than ourselves. Christ prayed that we may be one. Our synod, one of 65 in the ELCA, is a way that we walk together. 2
Practically speaking, this requires organization WALKINGTOGETHER The ELCA is organized into 65 geographic areas called synods. A synod is a regional expression of the ELCA. The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin includes the parts of 22 coun5es in the northwest corner of the state. It represents: 106,000 bap5zed members 212 congrega5ons one being under development 186 rostered leaders over 2,500 elected lay leaders To lead and oversee its ministry together, our synod elects a bishop, provides an office staff, elects a synod council, and secures other volunteer leaders, and organizes task forces and commiwees much as a congrega5on does. Broadly speaking, our synod helps congrega5ons do together what they can t do alone. Much of this work falls under two vital areas: Support and development of pastors, diaconal ministers, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and lay leaders for their congrega5onal ministry. Extending and coordina5ng ministry beyond the local se[ng. Here are some examples of what we do together as a synod As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 Cor. 6.1 3
The support and development of pastors and lay leaders The Synod Staff Follows a regular pa=ern of prayer. We pray for congrega5ons, rostered and lay leaders and others in weekly staff devo5ons. Provides support and training for lay leaders. We offer lay school, best prac5ces workshops, and consulta5ons. Provides support and training for rostered leaders. We offer educa5onal events, support in transi5ons, individual conversa5ons and consulta5ons. dozens of congrega5ons in transi5on in the past year. Consults with congrega(onal leaders. We assist in visioning and planning for mission, and, in 5mes of crisis, we can offer workshops, trained leaders, programs and other resources that contribute to congrega5onal health. Provides help, resources and networking for congrega(ons. We field ques5ons in Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1.8 Provides support and training in youth ministry. We facilitate the Youth Workers Network for adults who work with youth and encourage leadership in youth through the Lutheran Youth Organiza5on. Works with congrega(ons in (mes of pastoral transi(on. When a pastor leaves a congrega5on, the council and call commiwee work closely with the synod office in seeking a new pastor and in providing word and sacrament interim leadership. Our synod staff has worked with areas such as stewardship, finances, paperwork and sta5s5cs, outreach, worship, and cons5tu5onal ques5ons. Coordinates the work of the Candidacy Commi=ee. We support, encourage and partner with candidates for ministry during their years of study. Communicates with congrega(onal leaders. We build connec5ons by phone, mail, and e- mail, including personal visits with congrega5ons and staff, driving tens of thousands of miles per year. 4
Extending and coordinating ministry beyond the local setting links congrega5ons with the larger church and with other ministry organiza5ons through: Raising Up Leaders. This is a major ini5a5ve to iden5fy and encourage young people who may have the gi@s and the calling for ordained pastoral ministry. Global Mission Connec(ons. We have strong rela5onships with our companion synods, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Malawi and the Central del Sol in Brazil. Seafarers also brings the world to our door. The ELCA World Hunger Appeal and Disaster Response. We have received recogni5on throughout the ELCA for the effec5veness of our response, both in raising money and in raising awareness. New congrega(onal starts, reloca(ons, redevelopments. Living Water Lutheran Church in Cameron is under development, and, despite a difficult economy, many churches are s5ll planning to build. Youth Ministry. We offer opportuni5es for youth and adults who work with youth to par5cipate in events such as the ELCA Youth Gathering, the middle school gathering, and Godstock, the high school gathering, and to do peer leadership through the LYO board. Educa(on Ministry. We support campus ministries at UW Eau Claire, UW Stout and UW River Falls, Wartburg Seminary, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and 19 church colleges and universi5es. Ecumenical Partnerships. We support and par5cipate in the Wisconsin Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federa5on, and local ecumenical efforts in our congrega5ons and communi5es. Public Advocacy. We are part of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin, the Lutheran Office of Public Policy in Wisconsin, and ELCA advocacy efforts to protect children, the poor and vulnerable. Na(onal and regional representa(on/ par(cipa(on. We are ac5ve par5cipants in the Conference of Bishops, ELCA Church Council, Youth Leadership Network, Churchwide Assembly, church ins5tu5ons, and churchwide commiwees and task forces. WALKINGTOGETHER For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3.16 5
What difference does synod ministry make? LEADERSHIP A strong church requires effec5ve leadership both ordained and lay. Jesus devoted much of his ministry to the leadership forma5on of his disciples. As with so many things, in this we must imitate Christ. If you reflect on synod ministry, you no5ce the precedence of leadership forma5on, support, development and accountability. These are cri5cal func5ons to the health of the church. RELATIONSHIPS The church is at its best when gi@s, burdens and mission are shared. Synod ministry oversees and tends the important rela5onships, networks and formal structures of our ministry together, helping congrega5ons do together what could not be done well alone. For the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ: we are stronger together. Bishop Duane Pederson ACCOUNTABILITY Synodical ministries of decision- making, leadership support and development, congrega5onal support, and extended ministry are structured around the mutual accountability of the community of faith. Decision- making is democra5c; leaders are elected by their congrega5ons or appointed by the Synod Council or the Synod Assembly. Our cons5tu5ons bind us to a confession of faith based on Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. In this way we choose to evaluate and discern our ministry by its faithfulness to Jesus Christ and his Gospel of salva5on. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 1 Cor. 12.28 6
What is the cost of supporting synod ministry? Congrega5ons base their mission plans, or budgets, on regular giving by members. In 2006, the most recent year that data has been compiled, congrega5ons of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin reported $27,684,267 in regular giving. Each congrega5on decides annually what percentage of their mission plan (budget) is given to their synod mission plan as mission support. The synod mission plan (budget) divides Mission Support into three general areas: ELCA 55% by Synod Assembly ac5on over half of general mission support goes directly to Churchwide ministry. Ministry Partners 13% three seminaries, three campus ministries, and various other mission partners. Staff, Office and Programming 32% provides office, transporta5on, salaries and benefits for four full- 5me staff and seven part- 5me staff as well as program resources. WALKINGTOGETHER 32% 13% 55% In 2006, for every $100 of regular giving by members to their congrega5ons $87.70 supported the ministry of the local congrega5on $6.00 went to general mission support. Of that: $3.48 funded ELCA Churchwide Ministries 78 funded Ministry Partners $1.74 funded synod staff, office, and programs $6.30 supported designated giving to the ELCA and other ministry partners. SYNOD STAFF FRONT TO BACK: Liz Bartsch, Administra;ve Assistant Carole DeJardin, LYO Coordinator Mary Toufar, Synod Coordinator for the Siebert Grant Bishop Duane Pederson Diane Kaufmann, AIM, Deaconess, Companion Synod Coordinator Pastor Amy Odgren, Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Todd Iverson, Assistant to the Bishop Merry Soyck- Doring, Execu;ve Assistant Pastor Greg Kaufmann, Assistant to the Bishop Gail Brown, Bookkeeper NOT PICTURED: Bonnie Weber, Synod Resource Center 7