Ministry Matters—Mission Support
God is a God of abundance and everything we have belongs to him. He has chosen us as caretakers of his world. God calls us to live faithful lives and to share his abundance with others in our homes, communities and around the world. So rather than giving my offering to All Saints Lutheran Church, I think of it as giving through All Saints.
Offerings given to All Saints are used to support our ministries where we reach out to others. At All Saints, we designate 10% of the church’s income for Mission Support. We used to call this Benevolence, but through the years the term has changed to Mission Support.
Mission Support is the portion of offerings that our congregation shares with the East Central Synod of Wisconsin and the church-wide organization for God’s mission beyond the local congregation. This support is the lifeblood of the work that God does through the ELCA. These offerings provide about 80 percent of the resources that enable the ELCA to start new congregations and renew existing ones. These funds also provide the staff and resources to develop new leaders, support churches around the globe, work for justice, end poverty and so much more.
45% of our Mission Support (Benevolence) stays at the synod level and is used by the East Central Synod of Wisconsin-ELCA to fund Outreach initiatives; The Resource Center; Interim Ministry; Continuing Education; Support Youth Activities; Candidacy – Committee who oversees individuals who are in seminary and are considering going to seminary; conflict resolution for congregations; long range planning and visioning for congregations; retreat leadership for church councils and/or church staff; Stewardship help for congregations; assists Call Committees in congregations; Gives support and assistance in any area the Church Council Presidents, Treasurers and Secretaries may need; Expenses to operate the Synod office building; office expenses of the Synod; Synod Staff Salaries
The synod sends 55% of the offering to the ELCA church-wide organization. They respond to ministry opportunities here and around the world to further the mission of this church. Some mission support funds may return to congregations in the form of grants, services, programs and resources.
Thanks be to God for all that we have. Thanks be to God for our partnership with the East Central Synod of Wisconsin and the ELCA as we share God’s boundless love with the world.
Deb Sieth
Ministry Coordinator / Office Administrator
