Mission Support
Local, national and global impact
Congregations of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod are in ministry nationally and around the world through the proportion of congregational income given to the larger Church via mission support.
Together as a synod, through our tithes and offerings of Mission Support, we are preparing new leaders for the church, opening new congregations, encouraging youth to grow in faith through experiences of service and worship, supporting social ministry organizations, schools, a camp, and existing congregations and developing life giving partnerships with the Lutheran church in Tanzania and the Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession. All of this work is being done with only 47% of congregations' mission support payments.
Our support comes from you!
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More than 93% of the funds that help the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod do the work of the Church come from you – from mission support gifts given by your congregation. You help us equip leaders, resource congregations and enhance the ministries we do together.
Thank you for your partnership in the gospel!
Where your money goes
Mission support was $2.8 million in 2007 – nearly 7% less than it was in 2000. Of that mission support, 53.5% is passed on to the ELCA for national and global witness. With the rest, the Synod assists leaders and congregations, supports future leaders in the candidacy process, resources evangelical outreach, provides youth, stewardship, communications and other programs, partners with two international companion synods, connects with Lutheran colleges, the seminary, and agencies, and much more! Together, we do ministry that no congregation can do alone.
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Our 2008 spending plan:
Assisting Leaders 7% - Leaders are resourced and equipped for ministry, assisted in the mobility process, and are offered support for missional planning and the challenges and blessings of ministry.
Candidacy 5% - Individuals who believe they may be called to church vocations are guided, supported and assisted in the discernment process.
Stewardship 3% - Resources and trainings are provided to support congregational stewardship ministry and guidance is given to ensure sound financial practices.
Evangelical Outreach 3% – Evangelism events and materials are offered each year to prepare for the challenge of outreach in communities. Established congregations are resourced, leaders receive training, mission fields are evaluated, congregations are planted and support is given for evangelical outreach.
Assisting Congregations 8% - Congregations in transition, growing congregations, and congregations in crisis or need are offered consultation, materials and support.
Connections 8% - Partnerships with college, seminary, camp, advocacy, ecumenical organizations, and our many social ministry organizations are developed and supported.
Youth 5% - Synod wide youth gatherings, mission trips, trainings for youth leaders, and service events are coordinated and facilitated.
Global Ministry 3% - Partnerships are developed and maintained between SEPA Synod and The Northeast Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, and The Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession (Czech Republic).
Communication and Mission Interpretation 6% - Communication with congregations and leaders is provided in print and electronic media. The synod data base is maintained. Networking is supported.
Proportionate Share to the ELCA 47% - This pie represents all of our synod income including mission support, grants, gifts, and investment income. 53.5% of all Mission Support sent from congregations is forwarded directly to support national and international ministry. Grants from the ELCA support some synod ministries.
Committees and Decision Making 5% - Synod committees and meetings, including our annual Synod Assembly, Synod Council, and monthly Deans meetings direct the faithful work of the synod.
Mission support trends
In difficult economic times such as these, we all feel the pinch. We recognize that congregations are financially challenged as the economy struggles, energy prices rise, and people lose jobs and homes. So that we can grow the witness of the Church together, we ask that you consider the following information about giving to and by our congregations as you prayerfully deliberate about mission support commitments:
Since 2000, congregations’ receipts from members’ regular giving has increased by nearly 17%, and regular giving per confirmed-communing member has risen nearly 30%. Thanks to this good stewardship of the resources entrusted to Lutherans by God, much good ministry is happening across Southeastern Pennsylvania.
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Yet over that same period, mission support gifts by congregations – the funds that help the Synod and ELCA resource and equip congregations and leaders – have declined by nearly 7%. Not many years ago it was expected that congregations would tithe on their receipts to mission support. Since 2000, mission support giving as a percentage of regular income has fallen from more than 10% -- a tithe – to 8%. Adjusted for inflation, the Synod operates with less income that we did in 2000.
