Together as the body of Christ
The staff in the Office of the Bishop of the Saint Paul Area Synod is committed to supporting rostered leaders as they seek to carry out their calling in congregations or places of specialized ministry. In such roles, staff adopts a posture of collegiality and partnership, available to walk with rostered leaders in ways that empower the whole work we do as the body of Christ.
The bishop is the synod’s pastor, and the Office of the Bishop equips the whole people of God to be God’s presence in this world, Specifically this means that synod staff serve to maximize the church’s vitality in every community, working intensely during times of transition and crisis; holding gatherings to support and equip rostered leaders for their work in the church.
Strong connections
Ongoing support for rostered leaders at all levels in their ministry—from candidacy to first call to call process to retirement as well as to those congregations and leaders struggling to carry out ministry in the midst of conflict—has created a sense of accountability to one another and to our connections with the whole church.
Synod staff offers support
As staff in the Office of the Bishop has sought to equip, resource, and support leaders and congregations, they have coordinated training sessions for planning stewardship campaigns; networking and educational workshops for children, youth, and family ministers; informational workshops addressing nuts and bolts issues for congregational leaders; gatherings for chaplains and interim pastors; seminars to address the unique issues involved with clergy taxes; workshops for carrying out the Book of Faith initiative; theological conferences and ministeriums for rostered leaders, and the annual synod assembly.
