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April 2009
I am focusing my council report this quarter on the financial situation of the Northern Illinois Synod including some thoughts about our partner agencies and institutions. This report is not meant to be detailed in terms of comparisons, trends and projections; our Synod Finance Committee and Treasurer are much more capable of doing that kind of analysis. Rather these reflections will be more theological in nature, hopefully getting at some of the truths found behind the figures.
- Rev. Billy Graham is reported to have said on several occasions: “Give me five minutes with a person’s checkbook and I will tell you where their heart is.” What Dr. Graham is expressing is the connection between how we spend our money and what we really believe. Jesus teaches about this principle often, on one occasion saying: “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” It is upon this conviction that the teaching of stewardship becomes an extremely important spiritual discipline. This is especially true for American Christians, where we are still blessed with great wealth. For us, it would be difficult to imagine discipleship without taking seriously Biblical Stewardship including first fruits and proportionate giving.
- I give God thanks for the faithful generosity of the congregations of the Northern Illinois Synod. We are especially thankful for the following congregations which give about 15% or more to the Synod and ELCA in Mission Support.: First-Prophetstown, St. James-Forreston, St. Mark-Polo, St. Paul-Sterling, Christ-Belvidere, Prince of Peace-Rockton, Bethany-Crystal Lake, First-DeKalb, First-Kirkland, First-Princeton, St. John-Mendota, St. John-Princeton, St. John-Somonauk, Bethel-Stronghurst, Faith-Wataga, Grace-Knoxville, Messiah-Galesburg, Augustana-Andover, First-Moline, Peace-Port Byron. They also contribute to local needs and agencies and institutions as well. It is my goal to encourage all Northern Illinois Synod congregations to be at least tithing, 10%, for Mission Support.
- I am grateful for the fact that the Northern Illinois Synod has maintained 55% Mission Support to Churchwide since 1988. The 55% was agreed upon at the time of the merger which formed the ELCA. Currently, out of the 65 Synods in the ELCA only about 14 give 55% or more in Mission Support.
- The Northern Illinois Synod for the last few years has also been giving of our First Fruits to Churchwide and Agencies and Institutions. It had been our previous practice to hold back some offerings until the end of the year, to see if we had enough, and then pay our partners accordingly. I believe not only is First Fruits giving more faithful to the teaching of the Bible but it serves as an important model for congregations and families.
- I am proud of the way our Northern Illinois Synod Funds are managed. Mic Brooks is an excellent treasurer. He combines a careful and conservative attitude with a mission heart. To compliment Mic’s leadership is the Finance Committee, looking for best practices and serving the Synod Council and staff very faithfully. Our staff works hard to provide accurate information and even harder to be frugal with the precious offerings we are called to steward for the sake of God’s mission.
- We are fortunate in the Northern Illinois Synod to have several designated funds which are constantly being used to support the various ministries. Pastor Kurt Nordby, when he first came on staff and saw our large Mission Fund for the starting and renewing of congregations, jumped for joy. We are able to support congregations in Northern Illinois in ways which many Synods are not able to do because of these designated funds. Two areas which I have some concern about are the fund which supports our Youth Ministry in the Synod and the fund which supports Campus Ministry at Northern Illinois University.
- The budgeting process which we use in the Northern Illinois Synod has been responsible, conservative and amazingly accurate. Almost every year we end up in the black because of careful planning and spending. When the Statement of Intents are low for a particular year, as they were for 2009, we respond quickly and adopt a revised budget. Even though the cuts required in the revised budget are painful to make, it is the responsible action to take.
- One of the big challenges for congregations today is to keep up with the rising costs of Medical Insurance for Rostered leaders. This is not only true for the church but the entire country is faced with this issue. The Conference of Bishops is working closely with the Board of Pensions to control costs. An example of this is the new wellness program. Hopefully this will not only keep costs down but will result in healthier more balanced Rostered leaders in the church.
- Churchwide did well financially in 2008 but 2009 is already becoming a challenge. Several staff positions have been eliminated, some by attrition. The economy certainly is the major factor for this downturn in offerings.
- Agencies and Institutions of the Church which often rely significantly on interest from endowment funds are facing challenging times. This includes most of our church colleges and seminaries. Partners who were in the process of fund raising appeals such as Lutheran Campus Ministry and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois are finding it more difficult to raise money. The ability to purchase property and build church buildings for new congregations has also been adversely affected.
- Finally, with some of the gloom and doom expressed above one might think that I am rather pessimistic about the future of the church; nothing could be further from the truth. First I am confident that our economy will turn around and things will improve in terms of giving. But more importantly, I believe that the message of the Gospel of forgiveness and salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is the most powerful force in the world. As one theologian wrote: “the world needs what we have.” And in a comic strip I saw in the Chicago Tribune on Easter Sunday entitled “Cathy” was this comment: “Easter is: the ultimate bailout.”
Thank you for your leadership and support.
In Christ,
Bishop Gary Wollersheim
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