Synod Council

Committee:  SYNOD COUNCIL

Vice President: Bill Bartlett

Our Mission/Purpose: 

The Synod Council is the Board of Directors of the Synod and serves as the interim legislative authority between meetings of the Synod Assembly.  It makes decisions which are not in conflict with actions taken by the Synod Assembly or which are not precluded by provisions of the Synod Constitution and Bylaws or the Constitution and Bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.   

Our Current Mission is:

To provide for the services outlined in the Synod Constitution.  To maintain an adequate staff and organizational committees, to attain a prudent financial reserve, and to recommend program goals and budgets.  Also to increase outreach to and participation of our minority brothers and sisters.

To develop opportunities for additional support of Synod ministries through the newly established Synod Endowment Fund which will help strengthen the Synod in years to come. 

In partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we will assess the possibilities for new mission starts, and work to establish and help fund mission congregations. 

In looking at outreach possibilities, we will assess other ministries and programs and provide opportunities for participation and service by our people.  We will be cognizant of the ELCA and Synod inclusiveness goals. 

A Brief History:

The Synod was formed in June 1987 at its Constituting Convention at Augustana College.  The office is located in the Luther Center building, 103 West State Street, Rockford.  The current staff includes the Bishop, four assistants (one shared with the ELCA Division for Outreach, one shared with ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, and one half-time position), one Youth Coordinator (one-quarter time), one Secretary to the Bishop, one Receptionist/Secretary, one Secretary (Rock Island Synod office), one Bookkeeper/Secretary, and a seventeen member council (4 officers, 1 youth representative, and 12 at-large members).

Members will be Expected to:

Attend Synod Assembly, Synod Council, and Conference meetings.  Also participate in debates, serve on various Synod Council committees, articulate Synodical policies and goals, participate in and, when asked, lead devotions for Synod Council meetings, and abide by the Constitution of the Synod.  Prayer and Christian concern are expected to be shown towards all who serve together as members of the Synod Council.

Time Requirements of this Ministry are:

Four regular council meetings:  All day Saturday meetings in September, January, April, and June.  In addition, preparation time will be approximately two (2) to six (6) hours per meeting.   Those serving on Synod Council Committees can expect to spend an additional two (2) to three (3) hours when their committee meets (from one (1) to four (4) times a year).  Also attendance at the annual Synod Assembly in June of every year is expected.

Our Commitments to Members During this Period are:

Orientation information will be made available to new members prior to the first meeting of the year (September).  This information will be sent to new Council members and, if there are several people beginning service a meeting will be held to help prepare them for the first meeting.  All Council members will be mailed an agenda prior to each meeting.  Also included in this mailing will be reports and information on agenda items.  We are committed to treat Council members with common Christian courtesy and to pray for each other. 

Members Should Know these Additional Things About the Synod Council:

Having a familiarity with procedures for conduct of meetings and possessing some basic financial skills will be helpful to Council members.  Also, some knowledge of the Synod, its programs, structure, and ministry helps members to serve in a more knowledgeable way.

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