The North/West Lower Michigan Synod has applied for a grant from Warburg Seminary’s CaSTLE Project. The grant will support the Synod’s redevelopment of a Lay Leadership training program that is in line with the ELCA’s Synodically Authorized Ministry (SAM) requirements and the development of resources for our congregations, especially those in rural and small town settings, to empower and equip lay leaders in caring for their congregations and witnessing in their communities.
Bishop Satterlee and the Synod Staff are excited about this opportunity and its potential to transform congregational ministry and Synodically Authorized Ministry in our synod. The emphasis of The CASTLE Project aligns perfectly with our synod’s emphasis of freeing and empowering all the baptized to witness to and share the story of Jesus for no reason other than that it is such good news—and people need good news. The CaSTLE Project’s focus on rural and small town congregations is also perfect fit for our synod as we have many congregations in those settings and this would offer additional opportunities for our synod to support their ministry and outreach.
The CaSTLE Project expects to make funding decisions in June 2025. In the meantime, the North/West Lower Michigan Synod invites lay leaders and rostered ministers to the next You Are Witnesses Retreat on May 9-10, 2025. Learn more.
Read full narrative of the program:
Program Overview – Lay Leadership and Synodically Authorized Ministry in the North/West Lower Michigan Synod through The CaSTLE Project
The North/West Lower Michigan Synod requests a grant from Wartburg Seminary’s CaSTLE Project to establish a program of Lay Leader training for our rural and small town congregations, particularly in northern Michigan.
The program we envision has three goals. First, we want to celebrate and strengthen the “baptismal ecclesiology” informally at work in many of our smaller congregations (though they would not call it that) by inviting and empowering “each member to witness to the gospel in word and deed in all aspects of their lives—work, family life, civic engagement.” This emphasis of the CASTLE Project aligns perfectly with our synod’s emphasis of freeing and empowering all the baptized to witness to and share the story of Jesus for no reason other than that it is such good news—and people need good news. This approach is distinct from a transactional witness in which people share the gospel to grow their congregations, recruit volunteers, and raise money. We developed a resource, You Are Witnesses: Sharing the Story of Jesus, that is used in this and other synods. In addition to congregational studies, our synod provides retreats for people to come together and learn to witness to Jesus. We find they are uplifted when they are freed and empowered to share Jesus’ love and ask or expect nothing in return.
Second, we will develop an eight course curriculum to train lay leaders to both care for their congregation and witness in their community. We plan to develop these courses: (1) theological foundations (justification by grace through faith, baptismal vocation, priesthood of all believers, eucharist.), (2) studying and teaching the Bible, (3) Christian (pastoral) care, visitation, and prayer, (4) administration, (5) witnessing to Jesus, (6) engaging the community, (7) preaching, and (8) worship planning and leadership. The courses will be developed and taught by appropriate synod pastors and/or lay leaders in consultation with the bishop. Presentations will be provided on video and supported by online engagement with instructor and peers. Participants will demonstrate competency in the ministry task to receive “credit” for the course.
Third, the program will align with ELCA guidelines for Synodically Authorized Ministry making possible the deployment of SAMs in smaller congregations where “the Sunday assembly, including Word and Sacrament, will support the baptismal vocation of witness.” We greatly appreciate and resonate with authorizing ministry that supports witnessing as opposed to authorized ministry that allows people to worship in their beloved building. Congregations seeking SAMs will need to participate in this program. We will develop a process, in conjunction with the candidacy committee, to assess the appropriateness of individuals becoming SAMs. The emphasis, however, is on the congregation. We will encourage and support individuals seeking to become SAMs to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments generally to enter into candidacy and pursue ordination.