May 18, 2015

Mission Support 2014 + 2

 

Mission Support 2014 + 2
2014 + 2: A Message from Bishop Jim Dunlop


 

Dear Partner in Ministry,


I come to you today in a bit of a dilemma.


For many years the Mission Support we receive from congregations has served as the primary source to finance our shared ministry as the Lower Susquehanna Synod.  But in the last nine years Mission Support has plummeted from just over $4 million to $2.6 million in 2014 - a 35 percent drop, even as inflation has pushed up our costs.


In fact, 2014 witnessed the largest decrease in our history, 8.6 percent less than 2013. This forced us to trim about $300,000 of our mission work, or about 10 percent. Painful, yes, but we achieved the reductions through reserve funds, finding better ways to recapture costs, cutting support of some of our mission partners, and using proceeds of our legacy funds to fund them.


It is clear that our synod needs to transition to a smaller, more-streamlined ministry, but I would like that restructuring to take place with due planning, forethought and input from you - rather than simply cutting year by year in reaction to decreased revenues. That's why I'm writing you today.


Together, we need to re-examine our shared ministries, establish new goals and priorities, and formulate innovative ways to resource them. We in the Bishop's office will need to look carefully at how essential services, oversight and support can be delivered in a leaner administrative structure.


In order to give us the time we need to deliberate, converse and strategize about the future, I am asking congregations to adopt Mission Support goal of 2014 +2.


Essentially, 2014 +2 asks our partners to continue their 2014 level of Mission Support for two years - 2015 and 2016. The "+2" has an additional meaning: If you can increase Mission Support by 2 percent, that would be a blessing. So if your 2014 Mission Support was $10,000, a 2 percent increase would make it $10,200. That extra $200 would be greatly appreciated. I promise we will use the abundance wisely.


I am aware that our congregations and other partners are struggling with increasing costs, because the Bishop's Office struggles with them as well.


If every congregation adopts the 2014 +2 effort, we will have the stability and time to undertake a complete examination of our shared ministries and operations, in order to make intelligent and responsible decisions about the shape and structure of our synod for the future.


Thank you for your generosity and partnership in God's unfolding future.

 

+ In Christ,


 



 

Bishop James A. Dunlop


P.S.: Click here to download a PDF "2014 Mission Snapshot" that highlights our mission support and partnership at work. Together we truly are feeding others as we have been fed by Christ. 


Carings and Sharings is the e-newsletter of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Its purpose is the sharing of news and events which raise up the mission and ministry of the synod and ELCA in our congregations, our synod, and the broader church. It is not intended to be an endorsement of every activity. Comments about this newsletter may be sent to Sharron Blezard, editor,  [email protected].

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