Northern Illinois Synod Stewardship and Mission Support Strategy
Vision, Theological Principles, Core Values, and Goals
Passed by the Twenty-fourth Northern Illinois Synod Assembly June 17-18, 2011
Vision
- Marked with the Cross of Christ, Stewards for Life
Theological Principles
- Our roots of faith begin in baptism and grow through our relationship with God.
- God blesses us and invites us to become good disciples and good stewards.
- Being a good steward is a spiritual matter and connects to all of life.
- Practicing good stewardship enables us to grow spiritually.
- In response to our relationship with God, we are called to steward a spirit-filled life of sharing and caring that embraces all creation advocating justice and peace.
Values
- We believe growing good disciples and stewards is fundamental to the mark of the cross of Christ.
- We believe God has given us abundant gifts to use in this world.
- We believe generous hearts are filled with gratitude and joy.
- We believe asset-based thinking and planning are characteristic of responsible stewardship.
- We believe change and transition are part of daily life challenging us to grow in faith.
- We value interdependent relationships among the leaders and members of this church – in our congregations, synods, agencies and institutions, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
- We believe Christians are stewards who share personal responses to their faith in Christ within the community and beyond.
- We believe first fruits and proportionate giving are part of our personal faith response.
Synod Goals and Guides
- Sustain 55% or more for Mission Support of ELCA ministries.
- Expect 15% Mission Support as a starting point for all congregations including new mission starts.
- Expect all congregations to provide a Statement of Intent for Mission Support each year.
- Encourage all congregations to grow at least 1 percent in Mission Support and other benevolence each year.
- Encourage 10% of all undesignated bequests be given to synod ministries.
- Encourage financial gifts to the synod endowment fund.
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