Our Synod

Synods exist to assist and strengthen congregations and to coordinate congregations’ work with other Lutherans and Christians to accomplish together what cannot be accomplished alone.

We are here to help:

• Provide spiritual support to rostered leaders;
• Identify and evaluates candidates for ministry;
• Assist congregations in identifying and evaluating candidates for pastoral and professional lay leadership positions;
• Assist congregations dealing with conflict, seeking to resolve the situation in a healthy way which will lead to reconciliation, restored harmony or a peaceful separation.
• Coordinate the establishment of new congregations.
• Encourage financial support and involvement from congregations with greater resources to strengthen congregations carrying out mission and ministry in less affluent neighborhoods. The synod also enlists individual congregational members with the capacity to give extra gifts for advancing the mission of Christ.
• Serve as the primary channel for gifts to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the wider and more global mission of our church. Fifty-five percent of all giving to the synod is passed on to the ELCA. Our congregations, through the Minneapolis Area Synod, and by leadership on major commissions and committees, are partners in the mission strategy of the ELCA.
• Exercise leadership to encourage the prophetic voice of congregations, challenging one another to a vision of mission and ministry beyond the local parish. Congregational and synodical leaders seek to hold one another accountable for the whole mission of the whole people of God.
• Minister to new Americans: One-half million immigrants and their children live in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. This is a great challenge and a great opportunity for Christ. Congregations of our synod seek to be inviting. We also have a great opportunity to continue the Lutheran tradition of service to all people in need, regardless of race, ethnic origin or religion. To move toward our church's goal to be a more ethnically diverse church that reflects our community, the Minneapolis Area Synod supports the work of AGORA Ministries. AGORA's mission is the training of pastors and laity to do outreach to specific ethnic groups, develop appropriate worship and educational materials to meet the spiritual needs of the new immigrants.
• Provides program support for congregations: The Minneapolis Area Synod has five program groups, called 'Tables,' which provide services and support for congregational activities.
• The synod also coordinates and encourages the work of our many Lutheran institutions. Lutherans are known for their great work in providing services to meet social needs. Lutherans in Minneapolis built hospitals, nursing homes, social service agencies and other organizations that minister to and with people trapped in poverty. Each of these organizations is an extension of congregational ministries. The synod seeks to coordinate and channel the expertise, commitment and resources of these institutions to advance the ministry of the Church.