In the current configuration of the staff of the
Southeastern Minnesota Synod, three of us serve as assistants to Bishop Delzer. Two have titles that clearly explain their
role.
Rev. Linda Gunderson works with congregations in the call
process, with candidates as they work their way through the seminary system,
with newly ordained pastors as they receive continuing education for the first
three years of their ministry, with the planning the synod’s Theological
Conference for leaders. Her title clearly
describes her role: Director for Rostered Leadership.
Karen Gieseke helps congregations rethink ways of passing on
the faith between generations. She has
wonderful conversations surrounding confirmation, Sunday School, Bible Studies,
and family faith activities. Her title clearly describes her role: Director
for Family Ministry.
My title sounds a bit more obscure: Director for Evangelical
Mission. Evangelical Mission sounds
important, but what role does that play?
I have been called by the Churchwide expression of the ELCA
to serve on Bishop Delzer’s staff. As an
official member of the Churchwide staff, I provide a bridge between what
happens on national and local levels. I
serve under the supervision of both Bishop Delzer and the Congregational and
Synodical Mission division of the ELCA. My
position is not unique: nearly every synod in the ELCA has a Director for
Evangelical Mission (DEM).
I have three major roles on the synod (and Churchwide) staff. I am the point person for working with new
congregations. This is the portion of
the position which I’d been a part of prior to coming onto Bishop Delzer’s
staff full time. I work with the New
Ministry Table to identify new ministry areas and oversee & assist these
ministries as they get started. The New
Ministry Table is forming three sub-tables to do this work: African Ministry,
Latino Ministry, and Area Mission Strategies (working with churches in certain
areas to determine the possibility of something new). In the past few years six South Sudanese/Ethiopian
ministries have emerged in our synod.
Many other exciting conversations are underway!
I have the responsibility of working with congregations in times
of renewal (and in this fast changing world, every congregation is in a time of
renewal!). I am a part of the
Congregational Renewal Table, which promotes mission minded congregations,
encourages congregations to collaborate in ministry, and facilitate renewal
through providing mentors for congregations.
This table has led the wonderful Excelling in Mission events for the
past few years and looks forward to working with many congregations, discerning
God’s call for the future.
New and renewing congregations do not exist in a
vacuum. It takes a lot of support to
keep things moving forward in mission.
The third role of a DEM is to work with the Mission Support table to
help provide the resources to allow God’s work to be done throughout the
synod. There is great wisdom in
including Mission Support in the DEM role.
The New Ministry and Congregational Renewal Tables abound in exciting
stories of what God does throughout the synod.
This passion for mission spills over to the Mission Support table as they
bring people on board to support this great mission.
New Starts. Congregational Renewal. Mission Support. My title may not be as clear, but my role is
quite specific.
