For Leaders
Resources for leadership roles in your congregation.
October 19-21, 2025
Sun 5:30 PM - Tues 3:30 PM
Metropolis Resort, Eau Claire, WI
Registration Cost $300
Must Register by September 4
Location: Metropolis Resort
5150 Fairview Dr. Eau Claire, WI 54701
Participants Must Book Own Hotel Room
The Synod has a block of hotel rooms for $104/night (plus resort fees) saved under “Synod Fall Theological Conference.” This block expires Sept. 4th.
Phone Number to Book Hotel Room:
715-334-8751
Fresh Expressions
With Shannon Kiser
Fresh Expressions is about creating new, creative forms of community that meet people where they are—in coffee shops, parks, gyms, neighborhoods—rather than expecting them to come to a traditional building. They focus on building relationships, loving and serving first, and forming faith communities shaped by the culture and needs of the people they serve. Shannon Kiser will share the theology and framework behind the fresh expressions movement, along with real stories of everyday people connecting with their neighbors and starting new communities through this “loving-first” approach. We'll explore why the Church needs fresh expressions, simple and creative ways to engage new people, what this could look like in your context, and how traditional churches and new expressions can work together to grow and thrive.
Join Shannon at the La Crosse Area Synod Fall Theological Conference.
Shannon Kiser serves as the Senior Director of Fresh Expressions North America. She leads a team of mission strategists and trainers in the development and implementation of in person and online training for mission innovation. She is on the pastoral staff of Riverside Presbyterian Church in Sterling, VA, a church that worships in two languages (English and Spanish), engages in several fresh expressions of church, and extends community hospitality through Ridgetop Coffee and Tea. An ICF certified coach, Shannon coaches individual ministry leaders and pioneers, trains organizations to coach fresh expression initiatives, and coaches church teams through the process of adaptive change. Shannon lives in Springfield VA with her husband, and is the mother to two young adult daughters. Shannon enjoys the outdoors, pickleball, gardening, traveling, and her neighborhood swim club.
Upcoming Events for Leaders
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Clergy Appreciation Dinner
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Country Reflections, Sparta, WI
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Fall Theological Conference
October 19-21 2025
Time: Sunday Evening, Monday and Tuesday
Location: Metropolis Resort, Eau Claire, WI
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Boundaries Training
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Prince of Peace, La Crescent
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Congregation Council Development Retreat
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 9:00 am - Noon (with optional lunch 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)
Location: TBD
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All Synod Caucus Meeting
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: TBD
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Synod Assembly
Friday - Sunday, June 5th-7th
Time: Friday Evening, Saturday, Sunday Morning
Location: TBD
Rostered Leaders, Presidents, & Treasurers
Constitution Resources
Discernment Guide
Share this discernment guide regarding ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with any members who are interested in considering a call to rostered ministry.
Financial Resources
Holy Conversations
Mission Support
Mutual Ministry Tools
From Pastor and People, by Richard Brueschoff, Augsburg Fortress, 2003
The relationship between the pastor and the people is integral to a congregation's life and ministry. This timely resource offers key insights on tending to various aspects of this relationship, including reflections on the ministry of clergy and laity, the role of a pastor, ministry review, performance evaluation, and much more. Suitable for pastors, congregational leaders and councils, call committees, and anyone involved in church ministry.
See excerpt from the book. Though some of the material may be dated, most of it is still very relevant. There is more to the document than the evaluation of a pastor. It is about working together with the congregation, council and pastor in a healthy, mutual relationship. There are evaluation and discussion questions for the church council and the congregation as a whole, as well.
Reports
Form B - Report to the Bishop (to be filled out by Rostered Leaders)
Support
Worship Resources
Written by Pastor Len Liptack
Generous Love. Generous Lives
"Do the Macedonia" - Resolution from 2009 Synod Assembly
Generous Love. Generous Lives. Initiative - Resolution from 2012 Synod Assembly
Sermon Helps for 10 sermons on Generous Love, Generous Lives Theme
Lectionary-Based Sermons available to congregations via video
From Synod "No Pastors Allowed" Events in 2011
A resource put together by Rev. Dr. Samuel Giere, Assoc. Prof. of Homiletics and Biblical Interpretation, Wartburg Theological Seminary for lay people who listen to preaching.
What Makes a Good Sermon Video
Wartburg Theological Seminary's first in a new video series - "Castle Conversations with WTS Faculty" - w/ Rev. Dr. Samuel Giere on "What Makes a Sermon Good." Rev. Giere (an assoc. professor of Homiletics & Biblical Interpretation) is also rostered in our synod.
Pulpit Supply
Supply Pastors
A Sermon for every Sunday
Sabbatical Resources
Ministry Sabbatical Resources
Contact the synod office for names of congregations and rostered leaders in our synod who have experienced a sabbatical.
Portico Benefit Services
Portico Benefit Services is a ministry of the ELCA that participates in "God's mission by working to 1) make the most of church resources by providing cost-effective benefits, and 2) strengthen leaders for ministry--financially, physically and emotionally.