Guidelines for the Companion Synod
Relationship
Northwestern Ohio Synod Global Mission
Board
Regarding the Covenant
- We encourage congregations to be in consultation with
the Global Mission Board regarding all plans,
arrangements and decisions involving the companion synod
relationship. We discourage individual congregations from
acting independently.
Regarding Projects
- We encourage projects that assist in building faith
in Christ crucified. We discourage any projects that
entice people with a counterfeit gospel of goods and
glory.
- We encourage projects that are sustainable. We
discourage projects that promote dependency or cause
damage to the environment, the culture or the
church.
- We encourage support of current Global Mission Board
projects which are consistent with the Companion Synod
Covenant and our Core Values. (See
attached Covenant).
- We encourage our congregations to be involved in
projects that directly support evangelism, health, and
education. We discourage projects that focus primarily on
development.
Regarding Money
- We support funding of congregational/diocesan/ELCT
projects. We discourage the funding of requests by
individuals.
- We encourage giving help through a matching funds
process. We discourage outright and/or complete funding
for projects.
- We encourage sending funds through the Synod Office
for the sake of accountability, safe transmittal,
favorable exchange rate, and Synod-wide celebration.
(Designate when giving for a specific project.) We
discourage sending funds directly.
- We suggest congregations consider sending relief
funds through Lutheran World Relief and World Hunger
Appeal, designating funds for the Dodoma. diocese. We
discourage congregations from initiating their own relief
projects.
Regarding Travel
- We encourage congregations to see trips to the
diocese Companion Synod as educational and/or
work-project opportunities. We discourage trips that are
basically sightseeing tours.
- We encourage congregations who want to be involved in
travel to our Companion Synod to be in consultation with
the Travel Sub-committee of the Global Mission Board. We
discourage trips to the Companion Synod which are
independently planned.
Values for
Global Mission
Core Values for Northwestern Ohio Synod Division Board
for Global Mission and Its Committees
- Making Christ Known -yet being receptive to meeting
Christ in Others
We are ambassadors for Christ, commissioned to
proclaim the Good News, even though we have much to learn
ourselves. We make Christ known in humility with the
expectation that we too will meet Christ in this
encounter.
- Being culturally sensitive - yet free to challenge
and to be challenged in wisdom and love
We are called to grow in our understanding of each
other's traditions, assumptions and mores. We recognize
that in every culture there are attitudes and behaviors
that are harmful and ungodly. Therefore, in the light of
the Gospel we are called to speak and hear the truth in
love.
- Meeting people's needs - yet doing no harm
As Christians we want to help in any way we can,
however we realize that not everything we could do is
necessarily helpful. We strive to avoid those projects
which would be harmful to the community, church, or the
environment. We encourage mutually identified projects
that are sustainable, that do not promote dependency, and
that strengthen church and community. We discourage gifts
to individuals.
- Working in partnership with accountability - yet
valuing initiative
Partnering is more than doing things for others, but
involves doing things with others. Furthermore it
necessitates being responsible to each other, and
exercising our gifts and vision within the agreed
structures (e.g. Companion Synod Covenant; Synod
Constitution, Global Mission Board Structure).
- Learning, teaching and doing Global Mission - yet
knowing that the fruitfulness of our efforts depends upon
God alone
We believe we are called to develop lay leadership, to
help people discern their gifts for mission, to identify
the needs of the global community, and to involve people
of all ages in the call to mission. We do this fully
realizing that we rely upon the Holy Spirit working in,
through and among us to make this happen.
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