look to the future

Together We Make a Difference

LOOK TO THE FUTURE

What is the What is the VISIONVISION for the for the

Northwest Synod of Northwest Synod of Wisconsin?Wisconsin?


The 211 congregations

are the

Northwest Synod of Wisconsin


The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

We join 10,851 other congregations to become


From Proverbs 29:18

““Where there is no Where there is no vision the people vision the people

perish.”perish.”


Consider Bishop Berg’s mission Consider Bishop Berg’s mission statement:statement:

““We are partners in the We are partners in the Gospel called to proclaim Gospel called to proclaim

the mighty acts of God the mighty acts of God who has called us out of who has called us out of

darkness into God’s darkness into God’s marvelous light.”marvelous light.”

1.1. We willWe will Make Make Christ KnownChrist Known..

2.2. We willWe will maturemature in our in our faith and faith and help help othersothers grow in theirs. grow in theirs.

It means . . .


Visi

o nWhat does this look like for our congregations?

Let’s dream about NEW WAYS to

Make Christ Known!

1. “called to proclaim the mighty acts of God . . .”


Evan

gelis

m• to Make Christ Known! • to share the gift of our Lutheran understanding of God’s love with the unchurched. • to provide encouragement and positive reinforcement to those who already are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Why is evangelism important?


Evan

gelis

mWe can be a We can be a welcomingwelcoming community.community.

• Invite• Introduce ourselves • Refreshments• Adequate parking


Evan

gelis

mWe can communicate to

others that they are welcome

• Ads – newspaper, TV, radio, website

• Signage• Direct mail fliers• Outreach newsletter


Evan

gelis

mTOGETHER . . .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.

Let’s dream about NEW WAYS to

Make Christ Known!

2. Mature in our faith and help others grow in theirs.


Stew

ards

hip

We could talk about stewardship as “giving back to God” in thankfulness.

Give time Share talents Give monetary gifts


Stew

ards

hip

HOW?Do a Spiritual Gifts inventory to help people find the gifts God has blessed them with!


Stew

ards

hip

Talents abound within the congregation! Why not share them with God?


Stew

ards

hip

We could be “tithing individuals.”

It is our way of saying thanks to God for many blessings.


Stew

ards

hip

We could be a “tithing congregation.”

General mission support from congregations is so important!


Stew

ards

hip

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 above!


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!

Stew

ards

hip


Stew

ards

hip

58%

42%

Partnership with11,000 ELCAcongregations

Partnership withthe 211congregations ofthe NorthwestSynod of Wisconsin

Where does our offering go?


Global Mission

Church in Society

Education

Outreach

Ministry

Congregational Ministries

Other Units

Management

Offices

Health/Pension

Departments

Commissions

Synod Portion 42%

Partnership with 11,000 other ELCA congregations – 58%

Stew

ards

hip


Partnership with 11,000 ELCAcongregations - 58%Partners in Ministry

Commissions and Committees

Travel

Office expenses

Insurance

Equipment

Rent

Compensation

Health Insurance

Continuing Education

Synod Support – 42%Partnership with 211 congregations

Stew

ards

hip


Stew

ards

hip Campus Ministers at UW-RF,

UW-EC, UW-Stout, and across

the state and nation

Starting new congregations in growing communities to attract the unchurched and de-churched . . . Eau Claire!

Supporting Seminaries

Sending missionaries to international locations

to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to

those who have not heard it

Creating resources for congregations in education, evangelism, stewardship, and worship

Helping congregations call pastors and plan for the future

Sharing our best resources with each other!

www.synodresourcecenter.org

Feeding and clothing those in need


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.


Com

mun

icatio

n an

d Tec

hnol

ogyComputers . . . Internet .

. . Fax machines . . .New technology aids ministry


Com

mun

icatio

n an

d Tec

hnol

ogy In the Northwest Synod of

Wisconsin there are several congregations are using large screen production in worship.

Beautiful Savior

King of Creation

Son of God


Com

mun

icatio

n an

d Tec

hnol

ogy

The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin developed a webcard which is a tool for ministry!


Lay

Min

istry

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.

• Began in 1993• 170 people to date• Class of 1999 pictured here


Lay

Min

istry

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


The Christians in the ELCA Congregations

of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin

www.nwsynod-wisconsin.orgwww.synodresourcecenter.org

http://www.nwsynod-wisconsin.org/

http://www.synodresourcecenter.org/

look to the future

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