ABOUT US

Synod of Lakes and Prairies

The Synod of Lakes and Prairies serves 16 presbyteries located in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin (plus additional congregations that are part of the non-geographic Dakota Presbytery).  One of the three priorities of the Synod is to partner with presbyteries as they attract, support and retain high quality leadership
for their communities of faith, hope, love, and service.

The Synod of Lakes and Prairies will do this by:

  1. Providing continuing education opportunities through Synod School and the Leadership Summit
    as well as in collaboration with the Board of Pensions and other entities (transitional ministry
    training, planning for retirement, financial wellness).  
  2. Developing a Synod-based coaching program to serve pastoral leaders, particularly those in their
    first call. by identifying interested people and providing training and support.
  3. Developing a Synod-wide mentoring program to address the sense of isolation many feel by soliciting mentors in various areas:
  4. Furthering cultural competence by offering training to create expertise.
  5. Promoting congregational vitality and transformation by training pastors and congregational leaders, financially supporting those who engage their community in new ways, and sharing information for congregational leaders to use in their congregations.
  6. Encouraging educational debt assistance in each presbytery.
  7. Offering a shared Commissioned Pastor training program (the Academy) to ensure that all
    commissioned pastors can faithfully serve where they may be called.
  8. Helping seminaries become more acquainted with our Synod by engaging seminary professors by inviting them to teach/lead events so they can become more acquainted with our Synod and including seminaries in marketing about the Synod.
  9. Encouraging presbyteries to develop, recruit and sustain more diverse leadership.

 

The organization rests on the fellowship and is not designed to work without trust and love. G-1.0302 

Supporting, encouraging and helping leaders have the tools they need is my passion. We can't take leadership for granted. We need to nurture gifts, inspire thinking and give tools to enable leaders to guide their communities with daring and courage into the future.
Deb DeMeester
Director of Leadership Development
Synod of Lakes and Prairies
This Synod recognizes that assisting its leaders is a critically important and valuable part of our mission. We have sharp minds and loving hearts working on this plan to better support and retain wonderful leaders for ministry in the Upper Midwest. Come and join us in our efforts to be great leaders!
Sue Rutford
Chair of Transforming Leaders: Vital Communities Committee of Synod

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Deb DeMeester
Director of Leadership Development
Synod of Lakes and Prairies