Synod Council Nominations

1A— The Reverend Gary Erickson w Bethlehem, DeKalb (northeast conference)

Occupation: Ordained Minister

Areas of special leadership and interest in the congregation: Stewardship, evangelism, adult education and worship leadership are important areas of ministry. Stewardship helps us understand our priorities within God's kingdom. Evangelism calls us to invite others to share the wonder of God's grace. Adult education helps us continue the formation of disciples throughout our lifetime. Worship leadership defines our congregational community and energizes that community for stewardship, evangelism, and lifelong learning.

Areas of special leadership and interest in the community: I actively support the activities of the Northeast Conference and the Northern Illinois Synod. In my community I am involved in two Bible study groups outside of my congregation and lead occasional worship services in an area retirement center.

Reason I wish to serve this area of ministry in the synod: Having completed my first term as secretary of the synod I have learned much about the work of the secretary and the secretary's role in supporting the bishop and synod staff. It is a privilege to work with the Synod Council and to serve alongside so many faithful people.

My priorities for this ministry: I will continue to assist the synod through keeping the record of synod meetings, serving on the Executive Committee of the Synod Council, and working with synod staff to create as accurate a record of synod actions as possible.

My faith statement:  Called into the Christian community through baptism, nourished by Word and Sacrament, forgiven by the risen Savior, and empowered by the Holy Spirit I am a disciple in the process of growing, celebrating and living into the abundant life offered to God's children.

1B—vacant

2A—Ms. Beth Nelson Chase w St. James, Forreston (central conference)

Occupation: Executive Development/Health Ministries, Wheat Ridge Ministries

Areas of special leadership and interest in the congregation: Church Council, chair Music and Worship, Director of Music, LYO Leader, WELCA.

Areas of special leadership and interest in the community: American Cancer Society/IL Division; former member of Kiwanis, active member of Performing Arts Guild.

Reason I wish to serve this area of ministry in the synod: Opportunity to share in important outreach and vision of the NIS.

My priorities for this ministry: To share in faith and support in "Making Christ Known."

My faith statement: To live in faithful community wherever placed with family, vocation, ministry opportunities and with those in my daily walk with Christ as the center of all.

2B—Ms. Nancy Warden w Zion, Rockford (north conference)

Occupation: Director of Administration Services - Epilepsy

Areas of special leadership and interest in the congregation: Church Council for 5 years with 2 years as President, Human Resource Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, Communication Committee, Small Group Leader, Confirmation teacher, youth leader Sunday School teacher, Prayer Chain, Centered Life task force, voting member to Synod Assembly.

Areas of special leadership and interest in the community: I have been a volunteer and a staff person in Young Life. I have a special interest in adoption and support of parents as I have an adopted son from Paraguay.

Reason I wish to serve this area of ministry in the synod: I have worked professionally in administration with non-profits and ministries in a local church, hospital and youth outreach organization. I see administration as a tool to enhance direct ministry. I am concerned about the declining numbers of people who are actively involved in congregations and those who do not even enter the door. I would like to use my gifts to Make Christ Known to those who do not have an active relationship with God.

My priorities for this ministry: I would support the Bishop, the Synod staff, the clergy and lay people in their specific ministry and use my gifts in whatever way will best serve the Church.

My faith statement: I believe that God has created us, loves us, redeems us, desires a relationship, and sends us out to be God's hands and feet in the world. My response is to be committed to the relationship and open to God's leading. I believe the Church is the place that we come to in order to worship and learn more of God and to be renewed to go out into the world.

3A—Mr. Robert Haak w Messiah, Aledo (southwest conference)

Occupation: Director of Augustana Center for Vocational Reflection

Areas of special leadership and interest in the congregation: I have served in many capacities in congregations--from youth leader to council member to officer of a council. I am presently serving in a part-time ministry position in the Edwards River Ministry (Swedona, Ophiem, Sherrard). These experiences have given me experience within a wide range of congregational life.

Areas of special leadership and interest in the community: My work as Director of the Center for Vocational Reflection at Augustana, and my years of teaching Bible in the Religion Department, are relevant, I believe, to the sort of work done by the Synod Council. I deal with young adults as they try to discern their calling nearly every day of my work, and I have come to know the concerns of at least some members of a group of congregations in the Southwest Conference. I am particularly interested in how the church serves in rural ministries such as ERM.

Reason I wish to serve this area of ministry in the synod: I very much believe that the Synod and Augustana are partners in the work of the church. I believe that a close relationship between these two institutions of the church is crucial to the success of both in being the body of Christ in this part of Illinois. I would like to do what I can to continue to encourage this cooperation.

My priorities for this ministry: As stated above, my priorities would be two-fold: to pay attention to the ministry of the Synod to parishes, especially those in rural areas, and to manifest the cooperative ministry of the Synod and Augustana College.

My faith statement: In this context, I would stress my faith about how God works in this world--through the lives and insights and gifts of each of us. The context of that work are the places we live out our faith--in congregations, in synodical offices, on college campuses. Through the conversations we have together, God's will is done and his kingdom comes.

3B—Dr. Randall Mullin w First, Geneseo (west conference)

Occupation: Family, Physician

Areas of special leadership and interest in the congregation: past-president of congregation,

currently chairman of Building Committee.

Areas of special leadership and interest in the community: Via de Cristo, past national president;  past chairman Synod Outreach Committee;  past president, Geneseo Rotary, Geneseo Youth Baseball, Geneseo Church League Softball.

Reason I wish to serve this area of ministry in the synod: Past experience on Outreach Committee creates desire to spread gospel in this synod.

My priorities for this ministry: Empowering the laity for ministry using technologic advances to serve greater perview.

My faith statement: To those to whom much has been given, much can be expected.

4A—Mr. Jim Hankins w Grace, Wilmington (east conference)

Occupation: Truck Driver and Fork Life Operator

Areas of special leadership and interest in the congregation: Council President, Worship, Youth, Stewardship, Evangelism, Fellowship, Property, Call Committee, Nominating Committee, Church/Parsonage Committee, Sunday School Teacher, Church Bus Driver, Choir, Men's Group (Grace), Worship Liturgist.

Areas of special leadership and interest in the community: Christian Softball League and Volleyball League, Member of the American Legion, Wilmington Area Christian Men's Group, Breakfast and Worship, and serve breakfast and dinner at a local Homeless Shelter.

Reason I wish to serve this area of ministry in the synod: In the past I have served on other Synod level committees--Nominating Committee, Social Ministry Committee, Churchwide Assembly Voting Member in 2003, and a Voting Member for my home church at our N.I.S. Assembly many times.

My priorities for this ministry: Throughout my life I have never hesitated to serve in my community as a Boy Scout, later serving in the U.S. Air Force, and in my congregation. If I am chosen to serve on the Synod Council, I will always try to do my best and consider it an honor and a true privilege.

My faith statement: In 1967 as a young adult I was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church and became a member of Christ's family forever. And over the years He has truly blessed me with a caring congregational family, a loving wife of 30 years and a wonderful daughter. And I will never stop serving my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for He will always be my Guide and my Teacher throughout my life's journey.

4B—Mr. Nord Swanstrom w Our Savior's, Rockford (north conference)

Occupation: State of Illinois/Public Service Administrator

Areas of special leadership and interest in the congregation: First Lutheran, Pecatonica: served as President of the congregation, church council and various committees. Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Rockford:  Church Council, Coordinator of Worship and Music Cabinet, Served as Chair of: Personnel, Finance, Chancel Choir, Folk Choir and Men's Choir, Stephen Minister, Assisting Minister, Constitution Review Committee.

Areas of special leadership and interest in the community: Former State Representative in the Illinois Legislature, Workforce Investment Board - Executive Committee, Planning & finance, Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce, Belvidere Chamber of Commerce, Rockford Noon Rotary, Past International President of 23,000 member Association of Workforce Professionals.

Reason I wish to serve this area of ministry in the synod: I believe that my life experiences and leadership skills in the church and in Public Service lend themselves well to viewing what the church today should be all about as one body in Christ. By setting goals and objectives in a team effort, much can be accomplished.

My priorities for this ministry: Building up the body of Christ is what we are all called to do.  My priority in this ministry is to further develop and improve relations between local congregations, the Northern Illinois Synod, the ELCA and the universal church of Christ.  Working together, we can truly become the disciples Christ calls us to be.

My faith statement: As author John Ortberg titles his latest book, "God Is Closer Than You Think."
Indeed he is right.  In the bloom of a flower, a hug, the touch of a hand, a song, a smile...we as a church are called to service in God's kingdom to spread the good news of God's love and redemptive grace. I believe that our God is a loving, welcoming, and forgiving God, demonstrated in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This God calls us all to be his servants.

5A—The Reverend Dennis Heaney w St. John's, Somonauk (south conference)

Occupation: Pastor

Areas of special leadership and interest in the congregation: Outreach and Evangelism Ministries, Stewardship Development, Seminary Internship Supervisor.

Areas of special leadership and interest in the community: Volunteer Hospital Chaplain, Somonauk School Community Growth and Economic Development Advisory Committee.

Reason I wish to serve this area of ministry in the synod: I have always been concerned for the mission of the church beyond the local congregation. It is important to work together to accomplish Christ's ministries on the synodical and global levels.

My priorities for this ministry: To seek new ways to enhance and strengthen the life of congregations, agencies and institutions, and synod-wide ministries of our church in Northern Illinois. In a time of societal stress and economic pressure in the church, we need to find new paradigms to build Christ's body and to encourage one another to greater faithfulness.

My faith statement: I am a Christian deeply nurtured in the Lutheran tradition and committed to seeking ways to increase in faithfulness and service to Jesus both in the church and in my life in the world. We are called to be witnesses and servants in the name of the Lord we worship and trust in the communion of Christ's church.

5B—The Reverend Leonard Hoffman w Trinity, Rockford (north conference)

Occupation: Pastor

Areas of special leadership and interest in the congregation: Parish Administration; Staff Management; Financial Resource and Stewardship; Adult Education

Areas of special leadership and interest in the community: Board President for Trinity Day Care, Inc.; Board Member for TLC...the Learning Center and Trinity House, Inc.; Cornucopia Food Pantry; Membership Team Leader for Association of Lutheran Development Executives.

Reason I wish to serve this area of ministry in the synod: I believe that the synod council has a key leadership role in offering a vision for mission and ministry for our synod and exercises that role through developing strategic planning for ministry.

My priorities for this ministry: Strategic planning related to stewardship of resources, transformational ministry and nurture of rostered leaders.

My faith statement: My baptism is the center from which I live life and do ministry. It is in baptism that God has claimed me for life and continues to draw me to Godself for mission and service. This faith is nurtured through the Word and the Sacrament as I am constantly renewed and set forth to serve.

6A—Ms. Sarah Baeverstad w Our Savior's, Rockford (north conference)

Occupation: Student

Areas of special leadership and interest in the congregation: Youth advisor to Senior Pastor Call Committee (present), Sunday School teacher, VBS leader.

Areas of special leadership and interest in the community: Young Life, Key club, Habitat for Humanity, 30 hour famine.

Reason I wish to serve this area of ministry in the synod: Increase involvement in the Lutheran Church.

My priorities for this ministry: Learn and serve.

My faith statement: I believe in sharing the love of God with others so that they may come to know the joy of living a life with Christ.

6B—vacant