The Election of a Bishop May

Synod Profile Task Force Report to Fall Conferences 2

Synod Demographics, Statistics, Trends, and Final Survey Results

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

Synod Map; Population Shifts

Race: Population vs. Active Membership Area PopulationNWOS Active Membership African American/Black7%1.1% Hispanic/Latino4%0.6% White88%97% 6

Membership and Attendance Average Membership: 458 Average Attendance Declined From 138 to (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 7

Percent by Worship Attendance 8

NWOS Congregations by Change in Attendance 9

Giving to the Congregations Giving to congregations of the synod declined 25 percent (adjusted for inflation) Giving by average worship attendee increased 6.5 percent (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 10

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

Giving to the Synod Mission support to NWOS declined from $2,179,408 in 2009 to $1,566,488 in The 2013 dollar amount is two-thirds of the 2009 figure when adjusted for inflation. 12

NWOS Clergy Age Distribution 13

On line survey 14

Final Survey Results Information analyzed as of September 4, 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 15

Final Survey Results 5a. What are two or three visible ways your congregation is making an impact in the lives of the people it touches? 16

Final Survey Results 5b.Based on your knowledge of the synod, what are two or three visible ways the synod office is making an impact in the synod? 17

Final Survey Results 6a. “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?” 18

Final Survey Results 6b. “What are the two or three ways the synod could make a greater impact in the lives of the people in the church?” 19

Final Survey Results 7. “Over the next few years, in what areas should the synod office focus its work in supporting congregations?” - Lay Responses 20

Final Survey Results 7. “Over the next few years, in what areas should the synod office focus its work in supporting congregations?” - Clergy Responses 21

Final Survey Results 8. “What advice would you give the synod office for completing the work you described in question 7?” ClergyLay FirstIntentional 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%) SecondEnvisioning 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 22

Final Survey Results 9. “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?” 23

Final Survey Results 9. “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?” 24 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.”

Final Survey Results 10. “What are the two or three most significant ways the long-term viability of the Northwestern Ohio Synod can be strengthened and improved?” 25

Final Survey Results 11. “What two or three things can you commit to contribute to the future work of the synod?” 26

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. 27

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 28

New Website 29

Next Steps Synod Bishop Election Task Force – Chair: Pr. David Wietelmann 30

Question and Answer Session Our Bishop The Rev. Dr. Marcus Lohrmann 31