A peek into the afternoon pre-assembly events—Narrative Budgets, Compensation & Mutual Ministry; and America & Gun Violence—would show that folks were very interested in these topics and we willing to give an afternoon to learning (and to sit in a rather warm workshop room!).
Keith Mundy, ELCA Assistant Director of Stewardship, helped attendees discover the narrative budget as a way of talking about the future needs of the congregation to carry out its mission and ministry. Narrative budgets inspire, interpret, encourage, challenge, and inform members about why their gift matters. Also, Pastor Mark Fitzsimmons, Pastor Andrew Miller, and synod finance director Michael DeNise led part two of the session on defined compensation and mutual ministry committees. Pastor Jonathan Schnibben led “America & Gun Violence” based on the work of the Rev. James Atwood, gun owner, 2nd Amendment supporter, nationally-known author, and co-founder of Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
