Leadership Support Committee

Organization and Services

The Leadership Support Committee is one of only two Standing Committees of the Synod Council, which are directly named by and under the aegis of the Synod Council. [Synod Constitution 11.01.A91.V sections A. - E.] The Leadership Support Committee is charged with duties and responsibilities including, but not limited to, providing for the pastoral care of rostered leaders, including:

Fostering of collegiality and opportunities for continuing education for all rostered leaders of this Synod.
Advocating for and providing support services for rostered leaders and their families in areas such as compensation, developing mutual ministry, and counseling.
At the request of Synod Council, to review and recommend to Synod Council calls to Special Service. [amSC94.3.20]

The People

The Leadership Support Committee membership includes both lay and clergy representation from throughout the Synod, appointed for two year staggered terms for a maximum of three full consecutive terms. Additional members may be added as necessary to carry out the tasks of the Committee. The Chair is appointed by the Synod Council for a term of two years for a maximum of two consecutive full terms, and is given voice but not vote on the Synod Council. Normally, the Committee shall meet twice a year in conjunction with the Leadership Convocation.

There are 264 pastors and lay professional leaders serving on the territory of the Synod, who may be regarded in the following categories, as compensated professionals within the Virginia Synod, ELCA:

Active Ordained Pastors - 172 persons

Serving congregations - 134 persons

(8 part time situations and 10 stated supply situations)

Under other calls - 29 persons

Without a call - 9 persons

Retired Ordained Pastors - 85 persons

Certified Associates in Ministry - 5 persons
Diaconal Minister - 1 person

Bishop, 2 Bishops Emeritus, and Synod Staff - 7 persons

ELCA Support Staff serving Virginia - 5 persons

VIRGINIA SYNOD TOTAL PROFESSIONAL LEADERS - 257 persons

The Purpose

Everything that your Leadership Support Committee does is in the direct fulfillment of and for the undergirding of our Bishop's 20/20 Vision Statement to help to support our primary front line Ambassadors for Christ, that is, our rostered leaders.

We especially relate to our Bishop's 20/20 Vision Statements, "We will seek to develop a most strong and unified ministerium built around the sharing of faith and prayer for one another. We will speak the gospel to one another," and "We will seek to increase minimum standards of compensation for the ministerium for the sake of our synod and our smaller congregations."

As the Leadership Support Committee, we are committed to help "build up the ministerium" through:

Mutal Ministry Presentation (power point)

Advocacy and Care for Rostered Leaders --

COMPENSATION GUIDELINES: An annual booklet of salary and other compensation and benefit information, based mainly upon years of experience and other pertinent factors, indexed annually for inflation, and approved by the Committee, Synod Council, and the Annual Synod Assembly, which has been distributed to all rostered leaders, congregations, and treasurers for the past 24 years. Copies are available on line at www.vasynod.org or from the Synod Office upon request, for use within the Virgina Synod, ELCA.
LILLY SABBATICAL PROGRAM GUIDELINES: The Lilly Endowment Fund is sponsoring its National Clergy Renewal Program, which provides grants to pastors for sabbatical programs. For an application and brochure, go to www.lillyendowment.org. Interested clergy can also email clergyrenewal@yahoo.com, call (317) 916-7350, or write to Lilly Endowment , 2801 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208. Approximately 120 congregations will receive grants of up to $45,000. Up to $15,000 of that amount can be used for congregational activities during the pastor's absence. The deadline for applying is May.
The Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care (VIPCare) is a counseling resource for Virginia Synod Rostered Leaders and their families. It is entirely confidential and may be used for individual, couple or family counseling. Call 804-282-8332 to set up an appointment with a counselor in your geographical area or to discuss finances. They will guide you in shared costs with the ELCA Board of Pensions, synodical support (no names/case # only) and your portion.
2009 Leadership Support Guidelines for Rostered Clergy
2009 Leadership Support Guidelines for Rosterd Lay Leaders

COUNSELING OPPORTUNITIES: Opportunities for confidential counseling services for pastors and their families are available throughout Virginia, and are covered by the Health Benefits Plan of the ELCA Board of Pensions. Additional personal and family counseling support is available through the Office of the Bishop, using Leadership Support funding designated for this purpose.

Nurturing Colleague Relationships and Continuing Education --

POWER IN THE SPIRIT CONFERENCE:
GATHERING OF THE MINISTERIUM: October 12-14, 2009 . This event will take place the Quality Inn Suites in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

ORIENTATION FOR NEW PASTORS, SPOUSES, AIMS, AND INTERNS: Date to be announced @ The Synod Offices in Salem.This time is set aside for newcomers to meet their synod staff, become acquainted with synodical institutions and agencies, and be introduced to the vision and ministry of the Virginia Synod.
FIRST CALL THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION: Pastors serving during the first three years of their ministries are paired with mentors, that is, more experienced pastors who are able to provide guidance and support on a voluntary and regular basis. An annual event is held for first call pastors and their mentors each year, usually in October. The program is coordinated by the Bishop and the synod staff. Many pastors have reported on the effectiveness and helpfulness of this program.
This program was pioneered by the Virginia Synod, and is regarded as a model for the ELCA.
FIRST CALL RETREAT December 7-8, 2009 @ Massanetta Springs in Harrisonburg :
SPOUSE RETREAT: November 6-8,2009: Massanetta Springs Conference Center. The Theme: Three Cups of Tea:We encourage you to pick up the book Three Cups of Tea:One Man's Mission to Promote Peace, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. It is available at Penguin.com, Amazon.com, or your local library or bookstore. Try and read as much as you can before the retreat! To register contact Lenae at synodeast@vasynod.org or 757.622.9421
PRE-RETIREMENT PLANNING CONFERENCE: We have been fortunate to be able to provide a conference with respresentatives of the ELCA Board of Pensions, most especially Bishop Harold Skillrud, to explain the importance of adequate retirement planning for pastors and spouses, and to deal with personal pre-retirement issues and preparation. This is offered every other year for pastors and spouses over age 50, so there is time to make corrections and changes. The Board of Pensions also provides pension account investment information on a continuing basis for younger pastors, upon request. Usually the event is limited to about 20 pastors and their spouses, most regularly at Massanetta Springs, and the event is greatly appreciated for its insights and thoroughness. It is also possible to attend such events in neighboring synods -- consult the Board of Pensions web page at www.elcabop.org for locations and dates throughout the year.
CLERGY TAX PLANNING SEMINARS AND STRATEGIES: This is the latest iteration of financial management seminars the Leadership Support Committee has sponsored occasionally over the years. The goal is to educate clergy and provide information on income taxes, estate taxes, IRS regulations that apply to clergy, tax strategies, and other financial planning services provided by the ELCA Board of Pensions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LEADERSHIP SUPPORT EVENTS AND REGISTRATION CONTACT:

Virginia Synod, ELCA
PO Drawer 70
Salem, VA 24153

website: www.vasynod.org
Office: (540)389-1000
FAX: (540)389-5962
email: worley@vasynod.org

The Rev. Chip Gunsten
Assistant to the Bishop
Virginia Synod Office
540-389-1000
gunsten@vasynod.org