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The Election of a BishopMay 2016

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Synod Profile Task Force

Report to Fall Conferences

Synod Demographics, Statistics, Trends, and Final Survey Results

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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

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Race: Population vs. Active Membership

Area Population NWOS Active Membership

African American/Black 7% 1.1%

Hispanic/Latino 4% 0.6%

White 88% 97%

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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

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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

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NWOS Congregations by Change in Attendance

2006 - 2011

Declining (79.3%)Stable (10.4%)Growing (10.4%)

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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On line survey

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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%

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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%

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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

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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

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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.”

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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New Website

http://nwosbishop.church/

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Next Steps

• Synod Bishop Election Task Force– Chair: Pr. David Wietelmann

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Question and Answer Session

Our BishopThe Rev. Dr. Marcus Lohrmann