Bishop Paul R. Swanson served as Bishop of the Oregon Synod for almost 20 years.  To honor his service, the synod council instituted an endowed fund in his name.  Bishop Swanson’s passion to assist new and established congregations with creative and imaginative endeavors is reflected in this fund. 

 

The purpose of the Bishop Swanson Ministry Fund is to renew and develop ministries for outreach.  Bishop Swanson envisioned this fund as a means to provide “an extra boost” to congregations or as a way to get them “over the hump” in their mission. 

 

What would the fund do?  Bishop Swanson often talked about vital ministry projects that congregations could engage in if only seed money was available.  He cited the following examples:

• “I know a community in SE Portland where poverty and homelessness need our attention but the community itself can not support a church.”

• “Our synod has so many smaller churches that need our support. We need to provide resources for them.”

• “Many of our congregations need help in reaching out to new populations before they slip into needing funds just to stay alive. It would be helpful if the synod could provide grants for special outreach projects for congregations, assistance with Horizon Internships for smaller congregations in small town and urban settings, and/or other creative ministry projects.”

The goal of the Bishop Swanson Ministry Fund is $500,000.  This would allow ideas like those stated above to come to fruition.  Bishop Swanson was fond of reminding us that the word “synod”, derived from the Greek, literally means, “to travel the road together”.  Your gifts to this fund, of any size, will enable Oregon Lutherans to partner together in ministry for many years to come.

For more information on how to give to this fund email the synod endowment committee at endowment@oregonsynod.org or call the synod office at 503-413-4191..