In May of 1998, the Northwestern Ohio Synod ushered in a new era – a new bishop was elected and the assembly approved, The Mission for the 21st Century Task Force Report – a report which set the direction for the mission and ministry of the Office of the Bishop and the Northwestern Ohio Synod for the next six years.  The report and its nine recommendations, as well as supporting strategies, mirrored the following core value statement:

As the Northwestern Ohio Synod, in order to be mission-centered, with mission-centered congregations, all activities should reflect making Christ known in our lives together, making Christ known in our communities, and making Christ known in the world.

This has remained the core value of the Office of the Bishop and the Northwestern Ohio Synod – that all we do be centered in God’s mission in Christ.  All that has been accomplished these past six years has been accomplished to that end.

Through God’s continued grace, we have seen many of the congregations of this synod wrestle with what it means to be centers for mission under the purpose statement:  As one synod, we are 188 outposts for mission where God is at work making Christ known in the congregations, in the communities and in the world (2000).  Through this wrestling, the congregations have realized the power of the Holy Spirit in their midst as laity and clergy see the vision of what can be accomplished through the congregational community of faith.

But one cannot remain centered in the accomplishments of the past six years.  While the Office of the Bishop has endeavored to be responsive to the needs of the membership of the Northwestern Ohio Synod – both clergy and lay – we realize that needs change; and, as ministry must adapt to these changes, there will be further and more defined requests, situations and opportunities – and we, as members of the Northwestern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – must respond accordingly.

Therefore, the staff and the synod council, using the resources of David Daubert from the ELCA Division for Outreach, have reviewed where the synod has been, what has been accomplished in and through us, where the synod wishes to be in the future, how we might reach that future, as well as how to engage the talents and gifts of our congregational members and leaders in those endeavors.

As we look to live and address faithfully God’s continued mission in, with, and through the Northwestern Ohio Synod, we present the following purpose statement and guiding principles that will guide the ministry of the Office of the Bishop and the Northwestern Ohio.

Synod for the next five years.  This document will not reflect radical changes in the work or direction of the Office of the Bishop, but will reflect the future and anticipated ministry needs of congregations and leadership.  In doing so, the Office will review the continual congregational and pastoral feedback received.

This document also embodies and reflects the Evangelical  Lutheran Church in America’s mission statement of Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed gathered and sent for the sake of the world.

Northwestern Ohio Synod Guiding Principles (Core Values):

1.   Christ Jesus is Lord.

Christ crucified and risen for all remains at the center of who we are and what we do.

2.   The cross is at the heart of the Lutheran understanding of the Gospel and will be   the center of our life and work together as a synod.

6.   We best embody Christ when we work together.