Social Ministry Committee

Committee: SOCIAL MINISTRY                                                                                                      
Chairperson: Mr. Jim Johnson
Staff Liaison: Pastor Kurt Hansen, Assistant to the Bishop for the Northwest Conference

Our Mission/Purpose is: To inspire the people of the congregations and communities of the Northern Illinois Synod to make Christ known in word and deed, locally and globally, through experiential education and Biblical/theological reflection with regard to social ministry concerns.

Our Current Goals are:

1.         To hold at least one workshop each year at the Congregational Resourcing Event.
2.         To oversee and coordinate the work of the subcommittees and task forces; each to have its own budget and authorization to make decisions.
3.         To make social ministry grants to congregations and organizations in the Synod.
4.         To plan forums and presentations for the Congregational Resourcing Event and the Synod Assembly.
5.         To promote advocacy on state and national levels.
6.         Review and promote discussion of the ELCA Social Statements.
7.         To establish a yearly budget.

Here is a brief summary of the ministry of the subcommittees:

1.         World Hunger encourages congregations to contribute to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and educates people about World Hunger.
2.         The Anti-Racism/Multicultural Ministry raises cultural awareness and provides workshops in congregations, helping equip leaders to eradicate institutional racism.
                        3.         The Rural Task Force focuses on issues and concerns specifically related to rural ministry in the synod.
                       
Members will be Expected to: Attend four committee meetings per year, which are generally held on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The members may have additional subcommittee meetings.

Our Commitments to Members During this Period are:
Prayer, support and encouragement, grants to attend regional and Church wide social ministry events as they occur, and reimbursement for travel expenses to meetings.

Members Should Know these Additional Things about this Committee: Worship and theological reflection are an important part of meetings.