Equipping Congregations for Ministry
The MNO Synod is here to support the congregations, leaders and specialized ministries in our broad geographic area covering urban, suburban, exurban, and rural churches within our synod.
We are specifically a resource for congregational leaders charged with the important responsibility of working with the rostered staff to sustain a vibrant faith-based community. Synod staff members help congregational leaders respond to the needs of their communities and mission work by providing clarity, coaching, or other connections.
Click on the tabs below to find a resources and forms related to that topic. Scroll down to find out more about our ELCIC National Office and Anglican Church partners. Information about other ecumenical, inter-faith and non-profit partners is available on the PARTNERS page. If there is a resource you cannot find or would like to see on this page, please contact the synod office.
The 2026 report to congregations for AGMs is available here.
The call process includes specific policies/practices that apply to ELCIC congregations and rostered ministers when contemplating a call. Please call the bishop’s office early for guidance and explanations. The bishop will walk with congregations and calling agencies through the whole process.
This section includes information and forms intended for the use of congregational councils. These Handbooks, Guidelines, and Policies are to help congregations and ministries engage in healthy and accountable structures and processes. We are in the process of developing sample policies that congregations can adopt if they currently do not have policies in place. Please check back for updates.
Find information for Treasurers on the ELCIC National Church web site.
Parochial Report
Should you have any questions on the report, please get in touch with the Synod Office.
Request to Reduce Tax Deductions at Source–CRA
Information re Form T1213: Request to Reduce Taxes
CRA T1213 Form – Request to Reduce Tax Deductions at Source
CRA T1223 Form – Clergy Residence Deduction
This is the current list of rostered ministers available for pulpit supply. It is the responsibility of congregations to arrange for their own pulpit supply. There is a limited number of pastors available for pulpit supply, so we encourage lay leaders to lead as often as possible and to refer to the pulpit supply list when sacramental ministry is needed.
More information about Grants can be found on the GRANTS PAGE.
Shared Ministry is becoming a more popular and common arrangement for many of our congregations. It allows congregations and ministries to partner with others in order to share resources, skills, and programs. Shared ministry could be between congregations of the same denomination, but also often takes place between denominations – what we call Ecumenical Shared Ministry (ESM).
There is no single model for Shared Ministry. In some cases, there are fully blended congregations representing two or more denominations. In others, several congregations share a rostered leader. Some congregations share programing or seasonal worship events. Shared Ministry could also be as simple as sharing a building, with each congregation working independently.
The videos below give an overview of the benefits of Ecumenical Shared Ministry. There is also a link to the Ecumenical Shared Ministries Handbook from the ELCIC. If your congregation or ministry is interested in exploring Shared Ministry (Ecumenical or with other MNO Synod Congregations), please reach out to the synod office to help guide the discussion and look at possibilities.
Why Does Shared Ministry Matter?
ESM Examples
Moving Forward
From Bricks to Mission and Ministry: A Blog for Congregations
Katja Brittain has both an MDiv and an MBA, with over ten years of experience helping congregations navigate the often-complex questions around church building management. In her current role, she serves the Eastern Synod of the ELCIC on a half-time basis, while the other half of her work is supported by a generous donation from Charitus. This allows her to offer workshops and a monthly blog across all Synods, sharing insights and practical tools to help congregations align their buildings with their mission.
What does your building mean to you? – Check out the exercises to help congregational members reflect on what their building means to them—spiritually, socially, historically, and practically.
Blog Posts:
Each month, Katja will produce a short blog for congregations across the ELCIC on how we can see our church buildings not only as places of worship but also as gifts for ministry and mission.
In the February blog, Clarity Is Kind, we invite congregations to reflect on how communication shapes building use, volunteer well-being, and hospitality. Rather than focusing on promotion, the blog reframes communication as a practical tool for faithful stewardship and shared responsibility.
The reflection leads directly into the February Every Square Foot Counts workshop, which will offer practical tools, shared learning, and space to reflect on how communication, mission, sustainability, and hospitality intersect in the everyday life of church buildings.
Workshop: Communication Strategies for Church Buildings
Date: 19 February
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Format: Zoom
Read the blog here.
Register for the workshop here.
October: The first post in the series is titled Every Square Foot Counts: Seeing Your Church as Mission Space. It invites us to reflect on our buildings in new ways – beyond bricks and mortar – asking how every room, hallway, and outdoor space, or the entire site, can serve God’s mission today. You can read the full blog here.
Website for more resources: click HERE
November: Caring for our church buildings is part of caring for our mission. In this month’s blog, Don’t Rush to Sell: Caring for Our Church Buildings as a Gift to the Future, Katja Brittain invites congregations to explore creative ways to steward their properties without losing sight of ministry.
December: Safe by Design. How can our church buildings be welcoming, secure, and life-giving for all who enter? This month’s blog, “Safe by Design: Caring for Our Church Buildings and Community,” introduces CPTED principles and shows how thoughtful design supports hospitality, stewardship, and community well-being. Read the full post by using this link. Next workshop: “Partnerships and Community Hubs.” on 18 December. Find out more about the workshop and how to register using this link
January: Financial Stewardship. January 15, 7:30 pm EST
The January session of the Every Square Foot Counts webinar series will feature Charitus, the investment and financial stewardship partner of the ELCIC. Charitus will offer a comprehensive presentation on investments, revenue generation, and charitable programs and services available to congregations navigating financial sustainability and responsible building stewardship, followed by guided reflection on the themes raised.
Register for January 15 using this link.
Previous registrants do not need to register again.
Also note the new January blog Tell Your Story: Communication Strategies for Church Building. It invites congregations to reflect on how their buildings are seen and understood by their neighbourhoods. Framing communication as an act of hospitality, the blog explores practical ways how congregations can make their buildings more visible through websites, signage, social media, and storytelling, while staying grounded in mission, sustainability, and community connection.
Read the blog using this link.
Ministry Partners
The MNO Synod works with a variety of partners for mutual support, advocacy, and shared learning. Learn more about each ministry partner, and how congregations can participate and support them.
Lutheran Theological Seminary Saskatoon
Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon (LTS) is a seminary owned by the four Western Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. LTS offers basic degrees, such as various Master of Theological Studies options. LTS also offers training and webinars for congregational leaders. Through the Lay Academy, congregational leaders can get training in various aspects of congregational leadership.
Lutheran Urban Ministry (The Urban)
The Lutheran Urban Ministry, known simply as The Urban, is a ministry of presence that expresses God’s grace to inner city residents in Winnipeg. Programs offered include meals, classes, men’s/women’s groups, sharing circles, children’s time, worship, and fellowship. The Urban invites individual volunteers and teams of volunteers to support various programs. Congregations can support The Urban through financial and in-kind donations as well.
Discipleship. Community. Transformation. Support.
Centrality of worship and sacramental ministry. Strong Communication. Developing leaders and ministries through training and resources.
I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ.
Philemon 1:6
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