Transcript LOOK TO THE FUTURE - Synod Resource Center

LOOK TO THE
FUTURE
What is the
VISION
for the
Northwest Synod of
Wisconsin?
Together We Make a Difference
The 211 congregations
are the
Northwest
Synod of
Wisconsin
Together We Make a Difference
We join 10,851 other congregations to become
The Evangelical
Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA)
Together We Make a Difference
From Proverbs 29:18
“Where there is no vision
the people perish.”
Together We Make a Difference
Consider Bishop Berg’s mission
statement:
“We are partners in the Gospel
called to proclaim the mighty acts of
God who has called us out of
darkness into God’s marvelous
light.”
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It means . . .
1.
We will
Known.
2.
Make Christ
We will mature in our faith
and help others grow in
theirs.
What does this look like
for our congregations?
Together We Make a Difference
Let’s dream about
NEW WAYS to
Make Christ Known!
1.
“called to proclaim the mighty
acts of God . . .”
Why is evangelism important?
Evangelism
• to
Make Christ Known!
• to share the gift of our
Lutheran understanding of God’s
love with the unchurched.
provide
encouragement and
• to
positive reinforcement to those
who already are members of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA).
Together We Make a Difference
We can be a
welcoming
Evangelism
community.
Together We Make a Difference
• Invite
• Introduce ourselves
• Refreshments
• Adequate parking
Evangelism
We can communicate to others
that they are welcome
•
Ads –
newspaper, TV,
radio, website
• Signage
• Direct mail fliers
• Outreach newsletter
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Evangelism
TOGETHER . . .
Many congregations in the
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
have used television
advertising as a way of Making
Christ Known in northern
Wisconsin.
By pooling resources, several
TV ads spots were contracted
for through the ELCA Identity
Project.
Together We Make a Difference
Let’s dream about
NEW WAYS to
Make Christ Known!
2. Mature in our faith and help
others grow in theirs.
Stewardship
We could talk about stewardship as
“giving back to God” in thankfulness.
Together We Make a Difference
Give time
Share talents
Give monetary
gifts
HOW?
Stewardship
Do a
Together We Make a Difference
Spiritual
Gifts
inventory to
help people
find the gifts
God has
blessed them
with!
Stewardship
Talents abound within the
congregation! Why not
share them with God?
Together We Make a Difference
Stewardship
We could be “tithing
individuals.”
It is our way of saying
thanks to God for many
blessings.
Together We Make a Difference
Stewardship
We could be a “tithing
congregation.”
General mission support from
congregations is so important!
Together We Make a Difference
Stewardship
A “tithing congregation” gives 10%
to GENERAL MISSION
SUPPORT and hopefully another
10% to specific ministries.
In 2000, only 19 congregations in
the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
were tithing congregations.
However, another 14
congregations were at 9% or
Together We Make a Difference
Stewardship
Bishop Berg’s vision includes
by 2002, there will be 50 tithing
congregations!
(will your congregation be one?)
by 2004, there will be 100 tithing
congregations!
by 2010, every congregation will be
a tithing congregation!
Together We Make a Difference
Stewardship
Where does our offering go?
Partnership with
11,000 ELCA
congregations
42%
Together We Make a Difference
58%
Partnership with
the 211
congregations of
the Northwest
Synod of Wisconsin
Partnership with 11,000 other
ELCA congregations – 58%
Global Mission
Church in Society
Education
Outreach
Ministry
Congregational Ministries
Other Units
Management
Offices
Health/Pension
Departments
Commissions
Synod Portion 42%
Together We Make a Difference
Synod Support – 42%
Stewardship
Partnership with 211 congregations
Partnership with 11,000 ELCA
congregations - 58%
Partners in Ministry
Commissions and Committees
Travel
Office expenses
Insurance
Equipment
Rent
Compensation
Health Insurance
Continuing Education
Together We Make a Difference
Stewardship
Helping congregations call pastors and
plan for the future
Starting new congregations in growing
communities to attract the unchurched
and de-churched . . . Eau Claire!
Together We Make a Difference
Luther took advantage of the new technology
of his time to communicate the gospel.
Gutenberg’s printing press transformed the
way information was shared and Luther used it
to help people learn more about Jesus Christ.
Today, computer technology and the Internet
have transformed how we share information.
Like Luther, today’s Church is using the gifts of
the culture as tools for communication.
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Communication and
Technology
Computers . . . Internet . . .
Fax machines . . .
New technology aids
ministry
Together We Make a Difference
Communication and
Technology
In the Northwest Synod of
Wisconsin there are several
congregations are using large
screen production in worship.
Together We Make a Difference
Beautiful Savior
King of Creation
Son of God
Communication and
Technology
The Northwest Synod of
Wisconsin developed a
webcard which is a tool
for ministry!
Together We Make a Difference
• Began in 1993
Lay Ministry
• 170 people to
date
• Class of 1999
pictured here
The Northwest Synod of
Wisconsin Lay School of
Ministry provides a context for
growing in faith and
participating in the life and
mission of the church.
Together We Make a Difference
Lay Ministry
Together We Make a Difference
Synodically
Authorized
Ministry prepares
lay participants
under ELCA
guidelines for
worship leadership
for a specific time
period.
Partners
in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Making Christ Known
Growing in Faith and Living it out
Together, Making a Difference
Together We Make a Difference
The Christians in the
ELCA Congregations
of the
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
www.nwsynod-wisconsin.org
www.synodresourcecenter.org
Together We Make a Difference