By Larry Iverson
Synod Minister
“Begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints,” is what Paul said the Macedonians did in regard to contributing financially and in prayer to support the churches in Jerusalem. These first seven verses in the eighth chapter of 2 Corinthians outline the joy that overflows in generous and even sacrificial giving as a group of Christians strive eagerly to serve our Lord.
It is in that spirit that our Southeastern Minnesota Synod Mission Support Table applied for a grant from the churchwide organization. We are excited that our grant request was honored, and we want you to be a part of the “Journey to Macedonia.” It is an effort across our synod to work with rostered leaders and lay leadership in our congregations to build strong mission support stewards.
We feel that we have been richly blessed to be a part of the mission of Christ in our congregations, our synod and with our brothers and sisters from throughout the ELCA. As a part of this proposal, we will work to improve our communications across our synod in the area of mission interpretation, with a goal of having a Mission Interpreter in every congregation, but as an immediate goal to have 100 Mission Interpreters in the next two years. This is important work to better tell the stories of what God is doing in our lives here and in the world.
We will be offering help to our rostered leaders and our lay congregational leaders in the area of money management and faith practices. We will seek to increase contact with lay leaders in our synod on mission support/stewardship to develop our skills and awareness as active agents in God’s mission. We also hope to develop more engagement of members under the age of 40 in our congregations at mission fairs with some training in mission support/stewardship practices.
We will be looking for ways to work with our youth in congregations in understanding our use of resources and money as a part of their faith development.
We will be helping congregational members to encourage one-to-one conversations about our understanding of money and mission in our congregations and in the whole mission that Christ calls us into in the world.
So come on this “Journey to Macedonia” with us during 2011 and 2012 to grow in our faith and mission to be strong mission support stewards. Please watch the synod website, publications, and e-news and engage in the various opportunities presented in the future.
With God’s help we will build our faith and discipleship to create stronger congregations and a stronger synod and ELCA though this “Journey to Macedonia.”
Steps on the Journey as Christ-Centered Stewards
Member Mileposts:
- Learn about money management and faith practices
- Teach children about mission support and stewardship, generosity, and faithfulness
- Understand giving as a duty and delight
Leader & Clergy Mileposts:
- Discuss mission support as an act of faith
- Participate in money management retreats
- Utilize resources for the journey
Resources and more from the Southeastern Minnesota Synod’s Macedonia Project at www.semnsynod.org/stewardship
This content from a bookmark produced by the Southeastern Minnesota Synod to serve as a reminder of the steps we will take together as a synod on this “Journey to Macedonia.”