1. Transformed and Transforming
Bishop Wayne Miller
Metropolitan Chicago Synod

2. Transforming Scarcity into abundance

3. Essential Christian Community

4. The CROSS is still the CENTER
Reclaiming the Heart
The CROSS is still the CENTER
It is the image and promise of...
GRACE… which is…

5. Reclaiming the Heart
The love of God embracing us completely exactly as we are…
The love of God calling us to be more than we have ever been before

6. Reformation Invitation Formation Transformation Action
Inside
Outside

7. Ecumenical/ Interfaith
Church and World
Ecumenical/ Interfaith
Neighborhood
Open
Congregations

8. What is an Open Congregation?
OPEN CONGREGATIONS EXHIBIT… TRANSPARENCY EQUAL ACCESS CURIOSITY COURAGE
Open Congregations

9. Open to the Neighborhood
Open Congregations

10. Growing importance of justice
POVERTY
RACISM
VIOLENCE

11. Ecumenical/ Interfaith
Open to Collaboration
Ecumenical/ Interfaith
Neighborhood
Open Congregations

12. Always local… Always Global
Church and World
Ecumenical/ Interfaith
Neighborhood
Open Congregations

13. Open Communities are evangelistic!
EVANGELISM = Faith community INVESTING in individuals with the love of Jesus.
OPEN CONGREGATIONS are continually investing in individuals and in the world around them!

14. STEWARDSHIP IS… Investing in “Us”
Tithing = Unconditional, First-Fruits investment in “US”
Almsgiving = Specific compassionate response

15. STEWARDSHIP IS… Investing in “Us”
Almsgiving is both caring and generous
Tithing expresses FREEDOM FROM ATTACHEMENT

16. Changing patterns of shared abundance
IN FISCAL YEAR 2015…
This SYNOD passed on $1.5 million to ELCA mission through regular undesignated mission support.

17. Changing patterns of shared abundance
IN FISCAL YEAR 2015…
INDIVIDUALS from this synod gave an ADDITIONAL $1.5 million directly to ELCA missions.

18. Changing patterns of shared abundance
IN FISCAL YEAR 2015…
CONGREGATIONS of this synod gave an ADDITIONAL $800,000 directly to ELCA missions.

19. Changing patterns of shared abundance
What does this shift mean????
If your congregation or individual members are still focused on tithing…CONGRATULATIONS!

20. Changing patterns of shared abundance
What does this shift mean????
If your congregation or individual members are giving BEYOND their tithe… WOW! CELEBRATE ABUNDANCE

21. Changing patterns of shared abundance
What does this shift mean????
If your congregation or individual members have abandoned tithing and are ONLY almsgiving… you have work to do.

22. The Million Dollar challenge!
The goal is to raise $1 million dollars for ELCA World Hunger by October 31, 2017
ELCA World Hunger Appeal

23. The Million Dollar challenge!
Challenge ASSUMES a foundation of faithful tithing!
ELCA World Hunger Appeal

24. The Million Dollar challenge!
Witness to what it means to be a Lutheran Christian TODAY
Living with OPEN HANDS
ELCA World Hunger Appeal

25. Transformed and Transforming