The 2008 Assembly passed a resolution that directed the Synod Council to hold a special day of offering to help defray the anticipated 2009 budget deficit. It included a provision for the Synod Council and Finance Committee to include resource development as a part of the synod mission strategy that is currently being planned.

“God’s work. Our Hands. Our benevolence money is in our hands and in our congregations,” said Pastor George Keck. “Resource strategy should be part of overall mission strategy.”

Past deficits have been funded by withdrawing money from the Fund for Mission which was established to fund urban congregations and other specific ministries.

Pastor Sue Ericsson reminded the assembly of their part in seeing that the budget is funded.

“We are the development office of the synod,” she said. “There is no other person that is going to motivate our congregations better than those of us in this room. The responsibility belongs to us.”