1. Yesterday, Today, and Forever!
Bishop Wayne Miller
Metropolitan Chicago Synod

2. Jesus Christ the Same?????
If Jesus Christ is the SAME yesterday, today and forever…
Why was he so hard to recognize??

3. Transformations: Somber reality
Yesterday
In 1988 we were a synod of 250 congregations: in 2007, 206.
In 2007 we reported 110,000 baptized members
Most congregations could support a building and a full time pastor
Today
We are a synod of 180 congregations
In 2016 we reported 83,000 baptized members
Nearly ONE HALF of our congregations cannot support a full time pastor

4. Form and substance
The vision is the SAME, yesterday, today, and forever:
We are here to blanket the territory of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod with Christian disciples joyfully bearing witness to the love and power of Jesus

5. Form and substance The form MUST change:
We may never again be a synod of 250.
We may not be able to support all our buildings
We may not be able to support the same professional leadership structure in the same way
ADAPTING TO CHANGE IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A REFORMING CHURCH IN 2017

6. Signs of Hope: adaptive change
Yesterday
In 2007 we had no intervention strategy for congregational renewal
In 2007 we had no organized leadership development strategy
In 2007 we had no viable model for starting new communities
Today
We have invested $287,429 in congregational renewal through TSI
We have invested $145,000 in adaptive leadership development through Intentional Impact
We have launched 8 new communities on the Affiliated Mission Community model

7. More Signs of Adaptive Change
OPEN HANDS OPEN HEARTS will be transformed for 2017
INTENTIONAL IMPACT is moving more deeply into congregations as a leadership development tool
A MISSIONARY TRAINING SCHOOL has been developed under the leadership of Redeemer Park Ridge and is supported by a MISSION PLANTERS’ NETWORK

8. Investing in forever
We cannot LIMIT ourselves to the FORM of 250 congregations
Clinging to broken forms suffocates mission
We can work toward 100 congregations with 300 “preaching points”

9. Investment strategy #1: Strong Congregations
We need 100 congregations that are actively engaged in new approaches to evangelical expansion
The TSI initiative will continue to support congregations looking for ways to do this
Intentional Impact leadership development must become part of the culture of these congregations

10. Investment strategy #2: New community starts
A significant number of these 100 strong congregations will need to embrace some form of the AMC new community strategy:
Instead of just assimilating individuals into our congregation we walk in accompaniment with new communities

11. Investment strategy #3: cultivating generosity
These 100 strong congregations MUST be engaged in teaching and living the principles of abundant and generous living
The new form of OPEN HANDS OPEN HEARTS might help… but with or without it, we are never done teaching this

12. Investment strategy #4: New models for leadership
Actively seeking leaders for seminary preparation is necessary but insufficient
Current work with ELCA colleges to build “double majors” in church leadership and other employable skills
Seminary and candidacy will be concurrent with congregational leadership rather than pre-requisite

13. Investment strategy #5: Peace and justice
We must lead the culture beyond hostility and combat or we are simply a new expression of the PROBLEM
Develop skills and opportunities for respectful listening.
Anti-Racism is foundational to all future engagement around justice and peace.
Find common ground by focusing on children and families

14. Investment strategy #6: From income to wealth
Our form is changing:
Congregations are smaller
Wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few
Need is growing among those with no wealth
Christ calls us to the margins
Growth in the weekly offering plate is necessary but insufficient to fund our cherished missions

15. Investment strategy #6: From income to wealth
Through several large and unexpected gifts, totaling over $4 Million, the synod finds itself in a position to build a more diverse endowment funding strategy
Endowments must be used to fund mission that CANNOT be supported by the offering plate alone
A more diversified endowment strategy will invite more congregations and individuals to participate

16. Investment strategy #6: From income to wealth
Fund for Mission
Begun by Bishop Kenneth Olsen in 1997 with a goal of $5 Million endowment principal
Seed grants to congregations for new mission
Fund goal reached with a large gift from building sale by Bethel, Palatine

17. Investment strategy #6: From income to wealth
Fund for Mission
To date, fund has given $1,768,040 in congregational grants!
With TSI , AMC, Re-development, Churchwide Partnership and Leadership grants, synod has given over $6 Million in mission grants since 2007
The $5 Million fund balance will allow us to indefinitely fund 4 AMCs each year

18. Investment strategy #6: From income to wealth
Advocate/ MCS Poverty Endowment
Begun this year with unrestricted one-time partnership gift from Advocate Health Care: $1.5 Million
Designated by Synod Council as endowment for mission on the margins, where self-sustaining congregation models are difficult or impossible

19. Investment strategy #6: From income to wealth
MCS Campus Ministry Endowment
Begun by Synod Council this year with a goal of $2 Million principal
Earnings will provide ongoing support for the campus ministries of the synod

20. Investment strategy #6: From income to wealth
Leadership Development Fund
Currently under development by Synod Council with goal of $1 Million principal
Still under consideration:
Should this be clergy focused?
Should this be lay leadership focused?
Should this be used to develop more opportunities for our rostered Word and Service ministers?

21. Investment strategy #7: Partnership
Greater Impact together than alone:
ELCA World Hunger
Wheat Ridge
Related Foundations
Ecumenical/ Interfaith partnerships
Community Engagement

22. Investment strategy #7: Partnership
REGULAR MISSION SUPPORT from congregations is still first and essential…
52 congregations of this synod INCREASED their regular mission support this year!!!

23. A bright forever begins today!