GRAND CANYON SYNOD PROFILE 2018
Synod Territory The State of Arizona, Southern Nevada, and St. George, Utah 153,781 Square Miles Pahrump, NV, to Sierra Vista, AZ = 538 miles 89 Congregations 44,554 Baptized Members Yuma, AZ, to Rock Point, AZ = 522 miles The ELCA has 65 Synods Median Size: 22,000 Square Miles 20 are less than 10,000 Square Miles Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 2
How has the Synod Changed? Year Number of Congregations Baptized Members Confirmed Members Congregational Receipts 2006 107 70,308 56,276 $64,494,669 2015 89 44,632 36,375 $49,269,306 Year Average Worship Attendance 2011 24,304 2016 21,874 Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 3
Our Congregations 2014-2016 22% Growing Attendance increased by 3% or more Stable Change between -2.9% and +2.9% 24% 54% Decline Attendance decline of 3% or more Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 4
Pastors and Deacons in the Grand Canyon Synod Serving a Congregation On Leave from Call Retired Serving an Institution or Agency Ministers of Word and Sacrament 93 13 159 12 Ministers of Word and Service 4 1 9 2 Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 5
Age of Active Ministers of Word and Sacrament in the Grand Canyon Synod 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 46% 33% 14% 7% <40 41-54 55-64 >65 Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 6
Grand Canyon Synod Congregational Information Category Small Percent of Congregations 11% Average Weekly Attendance 1-50 Liturgies regularly conducted in GCS congregations: English: 73 Spanish: 6 Navajo: 2 Dinka: 1 Moderately Small Medium Large Very Large 39% 30% 13% 6% 51 to 150 151 to 350 351 to 800 800+ 50% of all ELCA congregations have 350 or fewer baptized members 57% of all ELCA congregations have average worship attendance of 75 or less Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 7
Demographics* *Demographics are for the population of the territory, not the synod membership. Statistic Synod Territory United States Growth 2017 2022 6.14% 3.77% Growth 2010 2017 9.49% 5.31% Growth 2000 2010 28.26% 9.71% 2017 Estimated Median Age 35.55 38.21 2017 Estimated Average Age 38.78 39.09 2017 Estimated Average Household Income $72,153 $80,853 Households with 1 or more persons under 18 34.09% 33.52% Households with no persons under 18 65.91% 66.48% Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 8
Demographics* *Demographics are for the population of the territory, not the synod membership. African American Race/Ethnicity 6% Population Age Distribution American Indian 3% 20 & Under 27% Asian Hawaiian Pacific Islander 0% 5% 21-34 19% Hispanic 31% 32% 35-54 26% Other race Two or more races 0% 3% 55-64 13% White 52% 50% 65 & Older 15% 2017 2022 Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 9
Grand Canyon Synod Mission Plan 2018-2019 Mission Plan Sources of Funds Net Assets Released from Purpose Restrictions = 14% $309,661 14% 6% Grants & Other = 6% $137,400 80% The GC Synod Directs 50% of Congregation Benevolence to the ELCA Churchwide office. ($1,750,000 x 50% = $875,000 which equals 39% of total expenses.) Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 10
Grand Canyon Synod Mission Plan 2018-2019 Mission Plan Uses of Funds Program/Grants = 13% $278,800 13% 12% Administration = 12% $272,070 Personnel = 20% $433,079 20% Mission Support Region 2 and Institutions & Agencies (Click icon for list.) = 16% $360,600 16% 39% The GC Synod Directs 50% of Congregation Benevolence to the ELCA Churchwide office. ($1,750,000 x 50% = $875,000 which equals 39% of total expenses.) Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 11
CONGREGATIONAL MISSION SUPPORT Per Attendee GCS - $85.34 ELCA - $104.17 As % of Undesignated Giving GCS 5% ELCA - 5.6% Total Per Year 2005 - $2.74 Million 2016 - $1.87 Million (Adjusted for inflation - $1.48 Million) Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 12
Bishop Full Time Current Mission Team Assistant to the Bishop Administration Assistant to the Bishop Candidacy Full Time Part-Time Minister for Finance Part-Time ELCA Deployed Staff Director for Evangelical Mission Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 13
2017 Bishop s Questionnaire Between November 7 and December 10, 2017, the Grand Canyon Synod, along with ELCA Research and Evaluation, surveyed nearly 1,000 people. Respondents could access the survey through an email invitation, via social media, the synod s website or download a PDF of the survey and mail in their responses. Respondents could also access and complete a version of the questionnaire in Spanish. A total of 209 responses were received, with more than 90 percent of those responses originating from the email invitation. Summary of Synod-wide survey is available on the Synod website at gcsynod.org/2018 Bishop s Election Information Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 14
2017 Bishop s Questionnaire Brief Summary of Responses Respondents are looking to the new bishop to provide congregations and rostered ministers with care, support and leadership. Congregations and members will offer prayerful and financial support to the ministries of our synod and a willingness to support the bishop s vision and plan. The synod should consider its top two priorities over the next six years to be evangelism and strengthening and supporting current congregations. Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 15
2017 Fall Gatherings In the fall of 2017 conference gatherings were held and attendees responded to 4 questions. Question 1 What are we able to do better as a synod and congregations working together for the sake of Christ s mission? Communicate to our local and global communities our congregations are places of grace and our view of mission goes beyond our doors. Be advocates for those who do not have a voice through coordinated missional opportunities. We are more effective working together and there is a desire for more collaboration. Identify, train and develop lay and rostered leaders. Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 16
2017 Fall Gatherings In the fall of 2017 conference gatherings were held and attendees responded to 4 questions. Question 2 How has the life of the synod evolved amid the changes in church and society throughout the past decade? There is a new openness to social change and addressing important issues. Technology has provided easier and quicker communication. Reduced mission support has created opportunities to do mission differently. The church has changed slowly as the world around it has changed rapidly. Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 17
2017 Fall Gatherings In the fall of 2017 conference gatherings were held and attendees responded to 4 questions. Question 3 What should be the main focus of our synod s ministry together for the next six years? Creativity as we transition to a new era Inclusivity and diversity Evangelism/Outreach Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 18
2017 Fall Gatherings In the fall of 2017 conference gatherings were held and attendees responded to 4 questions. Question 4 What should a new bishop expect of congregations in the next six years? Open communication and cooperation among congregations Amid anxiety and conflict we will be church together A renewed sense of mission and prayerful support Faithful and generous mission support Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) Profile - 19
Installation of New Bishop September 8, 2018 Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church 1500 W Maryland Ave Phoenix, AZ 85015