North/West Lower Michigan Synod
| North/West Lower Michigan Synod | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Territory | Lower Peninsula of Michigan excluding the extended Metropolitan Detroit area |
| Headquarters |
St. Stephens Lutheran Church Lansing, Michigan |
| Statistics | |
| Congregations | 117 |
| Members | 40,719 |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Established | 1988 |
| Current leadership | |
| Bishop | Craig Alan Satterlee |
| Website | |
|
www | |
The North/West Lower Michigan Synod (also known as NWLMS, N/WLMS, and the Mitten Synod) is one of the 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which is the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States. The synod consists of all ELCA congregations in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, except those in the extended Metropolitan Detroit area. The synod is headed by a bishop, currently the Reverend Craig Alan Satterlee.
The North/West Lower Michigan Synod is in a partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (ELCL), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG), and the Iglesia Cristiana Luterana de Honduras (ICLH).
Role of the Bishop
The NWLMS recognizes the role of the Bishop as the ability to preach and teach the apostolic faith of the Church. Shepherd rostered leaders and congregations of the synod, as well as exercise both pastoral care and discipline. Provide for Word and Sacrament Ministry within the territory of the synod, including the Church's power to ordain. Oversee the work of the Church's mission within the territory of the synod. Give witness to the unity of the Church as a member of ELCA Conference of Bishops and as the synod's chief ecumenical officer.
Synod Statistics
Conferences
The North/West Lower Michigan Synod is divided into eight separate geographic conferences:
- Bay Area
- Capital
- Greater Grand Rapids
- Jack Pine
- Kalamazoo
- Stony Lake
- Sunrise
- Traverse
Synod Council
The North/West Lower Michigan Synod is governed by the annual Synod Assembly, with the Synod Council serving as the synod's elected board of directors as well as the interim legislative authority between meetings of the Synod Assembly. Synod Council members are nominated and elected with an attempt to assure geographic representation.
Lutheran Social Services of Michigan
In partnership with the Southeast Michigan Synod (SEMS), the North/West Lower Michigan Synod is an affiliated member organization of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan (LSSM). The organization serves over 40 cities in Michigan's Lower Peninsula with more than 70 programs, including adoption, a community center, foster care, family preservation, independent, assisted living and rehabilitation centers for seniors, skilled nursing centers, refugee resettlement and employment services, subsidized housing, and services for the homeless and developmentally disabled. It is the largest faith-based non-profit human service organization in Michigan, but provides help for all people in need regardless of religious affiliation, age, or national origin. LSSM is the largest private foster care agency in Michigan, and is also the largest provider of refugee services in Michigan.
Committees and Organization
- Candidacy
- Christian Education Committee
- Living Fire Ministries
- Living Water Ministries
- Constitution Committee
- Michigan Multi-Synodical Committee
- Church in Society Committee
- Global Mission Committee
- Hunger Team
- Lay Ministry Training Program
- Multi-Cultural Ministry/Anti-Racism Team
- Outreach Committee
- Stewardship/Mission Support
- Response Team
- Witness/Evangelism Team
- Women of the ELCA
- Worship