the election of a bishop may 2016 1. synod profile task force report to fall conferences 2
TRANSCRIPT
1
The Election of a BishopMay 2016
2
Synod Profile Task Force
Report to Fall Conferences
Synod Demographics, Statistics, Trends, and Final Survey Results
4
NWO Synod Overview
• One of 65 Synods in ELCA; Three in Ohio• 164 Congregations• 75,000 Members• Area Covered by NWOS:– 9,775 Square Miles; ¼ of State of Ohio– 1.55 Million Total Population• Decrease of 0.78% 2010 to 2014• Projected to Decrease 0.80% 2014 to 2019
Synod Map; Population Shifts
6
Race: Population vs. Active Membership
Area Population NWOS Active Membership
African American/Black 7% 1.1%
Hispanic/Latino 4% 0.6%
White 88% 97%
7
Membership and Attendance
• Average Membership: 458• Average Attendance Declined From 138 to 110
2007-2013 (20% decrease)• Number of Small Congregations Has Doubled• Number of Congregations Worshiping 150 to
349 has Decreased by One-Third• Number of Largest Congregations (>350) Has
Decreased by One-Half
8
Percent by Worship Attendance
Less than 50
51 to 99 100 to 149 150 to 349 350 or More
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
CongregationsWorshipers
9
NWOS Congregations by Change in Attendance
2006 - 2011
Declining (79.3%)Stable (10.4%)Growing (10.4%)
10
Giving to the Congregations
• Giving to congregations of the synod declined 25 percent 2007-2013 (adjusted for inflation)
• Giving by average worship attendee increased 6.5 percent 2007-2013 (adjusted for inflation)
• Despite giving more, those who remain as members of congregations in the synod were unable to offset losses due to the overall decline in membership
11
Congregation Finances
• 2010 saw the congregations dramatically curtailing disbursements (over $8 million in receipts over disbursements) because of less capital improvements and cutting mission support to the synod.
• Congregational Receipts exceeded expenses by $945,312 in 2012 and $167,067 in 2013.
12
Giving to the Synod
• Mission support to NWOS declined from $2,179,408 in 2009 to $1,566,488 in 2013.
• The 2013 dollar amount is two-thirds of the 2009 figure when adjusted for inflation.
13
NWOS Clergy Age Distribution
<30 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70+0
5
10
15
20
25
Actual Distribution
Theoretical Even Distribution
14
On line survey
15
Final Survey Results
• Information analyzed as of September 4, 2015• 216 Respondents (60% Clergy, 38% Lay)• Top three answers for each question• Separated Clergy from Lay respondents• Tabulated/grouped by Ken Inskeep of ELCA
(similar responses grouped together)• Summary results report available on Bishop
Election Website
16
Final Survey Results5a. What are two or three visible ways your congregation is making an impact in the lives of the people it
touches?
Worship, Word and Sacrament
Being present in the community
Food Pantry, Community Dinners, Hunger Ministry
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
43%
34%
53%
20%
43%
60%
Lay
Clergy
17
Final Survey Results5b. Based on your knowledge of the synod, what are two or three visible ways the synod office is making
an impact in the synod?
Helping congregations to collaborate
Communicating what is happening in the synod
Supporting congregations in the call process
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
31%
31%
28%
5%
13%
29%
Lay
Clergy
18
Final Survey Results6a. “What are the two or three most significant ways your congregation could make a
greater impact in the lives of the people outside the church?”
Increase work with youth, young adults, young families
Teach the Gospel, proclaim the faith
Increase work in community
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
14%
36%
39%
10%
14%
53%
Lay
Clergy
19
Final Survey Results6b. “What are the two or three ways the synod could make a greater impact in the lives of
the people in the church?”
Increase faith formation, foster spiritual growth and theological knowledge
Provide resources for congregations, connect congregations with each other
Nurture relationships with congregations, be more visible in congregations
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
18%
22%
24%
0%
25%
36%
Lay
Clergy
20
Final Survey Results7. “Over the next few years, in what areas should the synod office focus its work in
supporting congregations?” - Lay Responses
Develop and support leaders, provide leadership train-ing
Build better relationships with congregations, get to know people in congregations better
Evangelism, get more people in church
More involvement of youth/young adults, attract more youth/young adults
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
9%
9%
12%
13%
21
Final Survey Results7. “Over the next few years, in what areas should the synod office focus its work in
supporting congregations?” - Clergy Responses
Develop strong leaders, improve candidacy process, work to increase number of people attending seminary
Manage resources better, improve stewardship, increase benevolence
Build better relationships with congregations, pay more individualized attention to congregations
Sharpen the vision for mission, help congregations to consolidate, innovate, renew/redevelop ministries while dealing with decline
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
14%
14%
17%
27%
22
Final Survey Results8. “What advice would you give the synod office for completing the work you described in
question 7?”
Clergy Lay
First Intentional planning for bishop to meet with clergy/congregational leaders, listen to clergy/ congregational folks one-on-one and call them into mutual conversation (25%)
Intentional planning for bishop to meet with clergy/congregational leaders, listen to clergy/ congregational folks one-on-one and call them into mutual conversation (28%)
Second Envisioning new models of “church”, enhancing collaboration (ecumenically or intra-ELCA), re-arranging clusters and consolidating congregations
Praying and letting the Holy Spirit guide the synod staff
23
Final Survey Results9. “What are the two or three most important characteristics or traits you believe the next
bishop of the synod needs to effectively lead the synod?”
Strong leadership qualities
Be approachable, be a "people person"
Strong faith, rooted in prayer and Scripture, strong background in Lutheran theology
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
36%
21%
57%
15%
28%
48%
Lay
Clergy
24
Final Survey Results9. “What are the two or three most important characteristics or traits you believe the next
bishop of the synod needs to effectively lead the synod?”
• Here are some other notable comments from clergy.– “Professional experience in the secular world”– “Real estate knowledge on how to handle church properties that have been handed over to
the synod, how to sell them or deal with deteriorating properties”– “Be able to work ecumenically”– “Be a bridge to the churchwide organization”
• Here are some notable comments from lay respondents.– “How can one Assistant to the Bishop effectively relate to 60 congregations?”– “Health and vigor and a real ability to work to seek compromise in impossible situations.”– “A bishop needs to be a leader, a follower, a supporter, a respecter, a servant, an idea
person, a caregiver, and able to be nurtured.”– “A down-to-earth person that will listen to the Average Joe.”– “Good sense of humor and supportive spouse”– “Extensively familiar with what ethics and principals we have in common with other faiths
and religions at the expense of knowledge of our differences. We can never put aside our differences but we can and should concentrate on commonalities if we are to build a better Kingdom.”
25
Final Survey Results10. “What are the two or three most significant ways the long-term viability of the
Northwestern Ohio Synod can be strengthened and improved?”
Communicate, make sure people are informed about synod concerns
Support clergy (e.g., their health and vocations), get clergy more involved synodically
More and closer support of congregations, more visible in congregations
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
15%
21%
39%
15%
18%
22%
Lay
Clergy
26
Final Survey Results11. “What two or three things can you commit to contribute to the future work of the
synod?”
Provide financial support
Pray
Offer time and talents
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
24%
34%
62%
29%
30%
77%
Lay
Clergy
27
Summary Survey Results• There were commonalities between the lay and clergy responses. Both groups see
their hunger/food ministries as the most visible way their congregations make an impact in their settings. Both groups would like the next bishop and his/her staff to be visible and involved on a personal level with the individual congregations in the synod. They also would like the next bishop to be a person of strong faith with a deep knowledge of Lutheran theology.
• There were differences, however, in priorities and perceptions for the clergy and lay respondents. The call process is the most common way the lay respondents understand the work of the synod. More clergy would like the synod office to sharpen the synod’s vision for mission by facilitating consolidation, collaboration and new ways of being church. Also, clergy rated worship/Word and Sacrament twice as often as lay people as a visible way their congregation touches people.
• In terms of qualities in a new bishop, more clergy would like a bishop with strong leadership qualities who will work to promote faith formation and theological knowledge among the synod’s members while more lay members would like the next bishop to be approachable and down-to-earth.
28
Challenges and Opportunities
• Shifting population distribution within the Synod
• Declining membership, attendance, size of majority of member congregations
• Declining giving to congregations and NWOS • Coming wave of clergy retirements• Challenge to organize, structure, operate to
meet the Mission
29
New Website
http://nwosbishop.church/
30
Next Steps
• Synod Bishop Election Task Force– Chair: Pr. David Wietelmann
31
Question and Answer Session
Our BishopThe Rev. Dr. Marcus Lohrmann