Eastern North Dakota Synod

Discipleship

Stewardship: Mission Support

As members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we do mission together through our financial giving. Together, we do God's work in ways that no individual or congregation can do alone. Together, the congregations of the Eastern ND Synod work to share the good news of Jesus Christ both near and far through mission support.

What is mission support?

"Mission" is a broad term used to describe all the ministries of this church, not just those relating to missionaries. "Mission" refers to the mission Jesus gives us in this world.
"Support" refers to the financial gifts given that cover the costs of delivering these ministries both here and abroad for the sake of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
"Mission support" is the portion of your financial offering that your congregation shares with your synod mission plan (budget) and beyond.

How is your Mission Support used?

Eastern North Dakota "US" Synod Ministry is...

Leadership
A strong church requires effective leadership, both ordained and lay. Jesus devoted major energy to the leadership formation of His disciples. So must we. Synod Ministry focuses on leadership development as critical factors to the health of the church.
Relationships
The church is at its best when gifts, burdens, and mission are shared. Synod ministry oversees and tends the important relationships, networks and formal structures of our ministry together, helping congregations do together what could not be done well alone.
Shared Ministry
Synodical ministries of decision-making, leadership support and development, congregational support, and extended ministry are structured around the mutual accountability of the community of faith. In this way we choose to evaluate and discern our ministry by its faithfulness to Jesus Christ and His Gospel of salvation.

Major Areas of Ministry Support:

25% Congregational Leadership Support
Congregational support for church leadership (i.e., presidents, treasurers, etc) in many varied ways is accomplished on a daily basis. This may come in the form of constitution interpretation and updates, budgeting, "who to talk to", personnel issues, planning/mission statements, council retreat facilitation, conflict resolution, and so much more.
25% Call Process
The call process for a congregation is a time for discernment of what God is calling them to be and do in this world and calling a pastoral leader to provide spiritual support and guidance to them.
25% Pastoral Leadership Support
Another primary task is to support the pastors of our synod. Conversations include coaching, connecting with other pastors and leaders, and encouragement. Often this is through informal, one-on-one conversation but may also be during more formal gatherings such as conference meetings, pastoral care groups, and theological conferences. There are circumstances when additional support is needed for pastors due to illness, injury, and family issues.
12.5% Specialized Ministries
The synod has several specialized ministries: youth and family, lay leader education, stewardship, candidacy, global missions/companion synod relationship, Native American ministry, Bible camps, ecumenical support, statewide campus ministry.
12.5% Education / Resources
The synod staff is in its entirety a resource to congregations. Congregations look to the synod office for educational tools for healthy leadership and growth in faith and mission. Synod staff are specially trained in healthy congregations/family systems, church development, stewardship, conflict resolution, and other areas to support healthy, caring congregations.

Generous Giving

Mission support congregational resources to use with your church council or budget committee as you contemplate your mission support for the upcoming year.