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The Northwestern Minnesota
Synod is a geographical designation and a Church arrangement for carrying out
the Church's mission. We are part of Region 3 of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America.
The word "synod"
comes from two Greek words: syn meaning together, and hodos,
meaning the way. A synod is a group of people on the way together, and
that is exactly what we are. Our synod is comprised of 274
congregations, 343 pastors, 20 Associates in Ministry, and 112,767
baptized members. The synod is grouped into ten
conferences: Laroki, Agassiz, Pine to Valley, Headwaters, Prairie Land,
Moorhead, White Earth, Otter Tail, Lakes and Prairie, and Runestone. The territory covers
the upper western half of the state of Minnesota.
What we at the synod office do
to help congregations:
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Helps congregations with
their ministry...
> Call Process ~ Provide help with pastoral changes. Synod
staff are extensively involved with the congregation until a new pastor is
called.
> Consultation ~ As congregation's plan their ministry, synod
staff meets to help leaders map their future. Common areas of
assistance include: visioning for congregational leaders, guidance with staffing
questions, help with stewardship drives, or assistance with building project plans.
In addition, several area strategy processes have been conducted around the
synod.
> Celebrate ~ We will
celebrate with congregations on anniversaries, dedications, and
installations.
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Conflict
~ From time to time every congregation experiences conflict. When
conflict becomes disruptive to the congregation's ministry, the staff can
help clarify issues and assist the move toward resolution. We are here
to support and help with congregational closings and
in times of conflict.
> Share the Good News! ~ As part
of the Body of Christ, we are all called to tell the Good News. The
synod office works with you as a congregation to do just that!
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Connects
congregations in mission...
> Partners in Ministry ~ Congregations can do
more together than they could ever do alone. Fifteen cents out of
every dollar congregations send to the synod is passed on to Partners in
Ministry such as Luther Seminary, Oak Grove High School, the Minnesota
Council of Churches and many more. To view the list of our Partners in
Ministry click on www.nwmnsynod.org/info/partners.html.
> ELCA Churchwide ~ ELCA churchwide is doing God's work across our
country and around the world. Spreading the gospel in this country and
abroad is the largest activity we share in the ELCA. Fifty-one cents
out of every dollar received from congregations supports the ministry of the
ELCA.
> Social Justice ~ Synod committees assist congregations in making
our "faith active in love". Staff and committees work in
such areas as hunger, public legislation, and a variety of justice issues so
that congregations might actively live the faith we proclaim.
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Provides Resources to
Congregations...
> For Pastors and Associates
in Ministry ~ the synod provides Synod Theological Day, the Fall Retreat
for Pastors, AiMs, and Spouses, and other special events.
> For Congregational Staff and Leaders ~ the synod holds an annual
Synod Assembly, offers annual Leadership Training Events, has special
programming led by synod committees, and provides three different regular
publications. The Resource Center provides over 1400 videos,
curricula, periodicals and open files of ideas from other congregations, all
free for use by anyone in the synod.
> For Youth ~ the synod annually gathers junior high
and senior high youth in their own synod-wide gatherings.
> Provides Resources ~ In our synod office we have a Resource
Center providing video, audio and print resources that are widely used in
the congregations of our synod.
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The synod office...
The synod office is an inviting
place and a busy hub of activity, providing secretarial, financial and
office support for all synod ministries. Click on the "Staff"
button to see who we are and access our e-mail addresses.
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