R-1
diakonia™ Resolution - passed
WHEREAS, we are commanded to “. . .go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28: 16- 20); and
WHEREAS, we are given the command to love one another (“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” John 13:34); and
WHEREAS, diakonia™ is a program of lay theological education designed to prepare Christians to fulfill their baptismal calling as servants of Christ; and
WHEREAS, diakonia™ prepares Christians of many ages, with different educational backgrounds and different goals, for ministry and servanthood through a two-year process of spiritual and theological formation; and
WHEREAS, diakonia™ provides systematic training to adults during weekly classes in Bible, church history, theology, and practical ministry; and
WHEREAS, diakonia™ provides lay adults with opportunities to assess their God-given talents and how best to apply them; and
WHEREAS, diakonia™ equips lay people to teach, empower, and befriend the needy in our midst, feed the hungry, and witness to the power of the Gospel;
WHEREAS, the church of today is in need of knowledgeable, committed, and empowered lay leaders; and
WHEREAS, the Northern Illinois Synod hosts four diakonia sites in Cary, Moline, Peru, and Rockford, with a fifth site to be added in 2010;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that every congregation of the Northern Illinois Synod be encouraged to support Northern Illinois Synod diakonia™ program by the following actions: a. Making congregational members aware of the benefits of diakonia™ through bulletin announcements, Web site links, and newsletters, b. Supporting members who may be seeking to learn more about their faith, c. Hosting Northern Illinois Synod diakonia™ graduates for temple talks and/or presentations to congregational groups, d. Providing financial support for members to participate in diakonia™, e. Encouraging congregational leaders to participate in diakonia™, and f. Assisting diakonia™ graduates of the Northern Illinois Synod to identify roles for ministry in congregations and in the Synod;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that: a. All voting members of this Synod Assembly covenant together to support lay education through their prayers and actions, and b. This Synod celebrate and continue to support and strengthen graduates in recognition of the faith that they have exhibited in and through their dedication to the study of God’s Word and their willingness to serve God.
Submitted By: Northern Illinois diakonia™ Committee
Contact Persons: Denise Rode or Douglas Liston
Date Submitted: April 11, 2010
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Action of the Resolution Committee
Date of Action: April 26, 2010
Action Taken: Recommend Adoption
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