Stronger and Better Together…Joining Jesus in the Restoration of the World.
Stronger and Better Together…Joining Jesus in the Restoration of the World
We believe the church should look beyond itself. As a Synod of the ELCA, we also believe we are stronger and better together if pastors and deacons do not have significant debt. Thus, unless restricted, 10% of every gift will help underwrite an ELCA Fund for Leaders Scholarship in the name of the Southern Ohio Synod mission territory. The Scholarship will provide permanent leadership development funding for a rostered ministry candidate. Eventually, Fund for Leaders scholarships will assure every candidate can attend seminary tuition free. Our partnership through this campaign helps bring that dream into reality. The goal is $120,000 or more, which will fund approximately $6,000 a year - about half of seminary tuition for a full time rostered minister.
View Entire Campaign »“I have been looking for years for this type of Synod-led initiative to aid my professional development. It provides the framework to make collaboration happen, and work with experts who are successful in doing worship, while providing support at all levels of worship in the Synod.”
The Synod will be seen as leading and providing networks through which lay leaders will be more highly equipped for leadership within their congregations, be more effective in their communities, and thrive in their ministries.
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Identify and equip fifteen lay leaders to enroll in the TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Leaders) or SAM (Synod Authorized Ministers) program to serve in contexts where the congregation is not able to fund a full-time rostered pastor but still has a desire for mission.
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Provide opportunities and support that enables pastors and deacons to be healthy leaders who are growing in their faith and ministry skills, and be identified as such by their congregations.
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As a Synod, with local congregational partnership, launch two new congregation starts in the next three years.
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Engage all congregations across the Synod to enhance their own worship and music opportunities, and share their resources and knowledge to assist other congregations.
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The base campaign budget allocates an anticipated $1.2 million in support of the goals by the end of 2021. As gifts exceed this amount, more will be invested in lay and rostered leader development allowing for a greater impact in those areas. More rostered minister debt will be eliminated, more congregational leaders equipped, more SAM and TEEM ministers called, and more new congregational starts begun.
| PROJECT | $1.2 MILLION | $2 MILLION |
|---|---|---|
| Equipping Lay Leaders | $240,000 | $380,000 |
| Raising Up Leaders for Small Congregations | $60,000 | $120,000 |
| Strengthening Rostered Leaders | $225,000 | $370,000 |
| Launching New Congregations and Reaching New People | $300,000 | $600,000 |
| Enhancing Worship Practice | $125,000 | $200,000 |
| Sharing with the ELCA for a Fund for Leaders Scholarship | $120,000 | $200,000 |
| Campaign Costs | $130,000 | $130,000 |
“I am very excited to be part of this ministry, and I look forward to partnering together in creating new congregations to proclaim the grace of God in Christ!”
To reach the base goal of $1.2 million or the challenge goal of $2 million over the next three years, the following gifts are needed from individuals, whether on their own or part of a cumulative gift from themselves and other members of the congregation.
| # of Gifts | Value of Gift | Running Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| 1 | $100,000 | $250,000 |
| 1 | $75,000 | $325,000 |
| 2 | $50,000 | $425,000 |
| 4 | $35,000 | $565,000 |
| 6 | $25,000 | $715,000 |
| 8 | $15,000 | $835,000 |
| 12 | $10,000 | $955,000 |
| 15 | $5,000 | $1,030,000 |
| 35 | $2,500 | $1,117,500 |
| 60 | $1,095 | $1,183,200 |
| 28 | $600 | $1,200,000 |
| Totals | 173 | $1,200,000 |
| # of Gifts | Value of Gift | Running Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| 1 | $150,000 | $350,000 |
| 2 | $100,000 | $550,000 |
| 2 | $75,000 | $700,000 |
| 4 | $50,000 | $900,000 |
| 6 | $35,000 | $1,110,000 |
| 8 | $25,000 | $1,310,000 |
| 12 | $15,000 | $1,490,000 |
| 24 | $10,000 | $1,730,000 |
| 28 | $5,000 | $1,870,000 |
| 30 | $25,000 | $1,310,000 |
| 40 | $1,095 | $1,988,800 |
| 20 | $600 | $2,000,800 |
| Totals | 178 | $2,000,800 |
How a gift over time can really make a difference.
| Amount Per Week | Amount Per Month | Amount Per Year | 3-Year Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| $481 | $2,084 | $25,000 | $75,000 |
| $415 | $1,800 | $21,600 | $75,000 |
| $370 | $1,600 | $19,200 | $57,600 |
| $277 | $1,200 | $14,400 | $43,200 |
| $256 | $1,111 | $13,332 | $39,996 |
| $192 | $833 | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| $160 | $694 | $8,333 | $25,000 |
| $128 | $555 | $6,666 | $20,000 |
| $96 | $416 | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| $64 | $277 | $3,333 | $10,000 |
| $32 | $138 | $1,667 | $5,000 |
| $23 | $100 | $1,200 | $3,600 |
| $12 | $50 | $600 | $1,800 |
| $6.50 | $28 | $336 | $1,000 |
| $3.85 | $17 | $200 | $600 |
$1 per day for three years is a gift of $1,095.
As a result of participation in this appeal, congregations will receive:
“Training from the Synod for lay leaders would be a huge blessing for me. To be successful at any new job/position training is critical. Training offered from the Synod would be a welcome guide for me, to hopefully be able to do my best when asked to serve the congregation.”
For more information contact Campaign Manager, Pastor Larry Donner, by completing the form below.