The Central/Southern Illinois Synod is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are more than 100 communities of disciples serving Christ in cities, small towns, and rural areas across two thirds of the state of Illinois, bordered in large part by the Mississippi, Wabash, and Ohio Rivers.
The synod operates under the guidance of the annual synod assembly and the synod council, and day-to-day operations are conducted by the synod staff. The synod is governed by its constitution and by-laws, which are set and updated by the synod assembly. Learn more about our staff, council, and assembly.
Our Mission
What we are called to do.
Nurturing communities of disciples, equipped for Christ’s mission.
Our purpose
Why we are here.
The Central/Southern Illinois Synod exists to support, encourage, and equip communities of disciples for Christ’s mission.
Our Vision
What we are called to become.
Vibrant communities of faith, with healthy leaders, living a transformational witness to the LOVE, JOY, and HOPE of the gospel, inviting others to know and love Jesus.
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teacher, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Our Values
As part of Christ’s church in Central/Southern Illinois, WE are:
- Christ-centered
The life, death, and resurrection of Christ stands at the center of our identity and mission. As the Holy Scriptures bear witness to Christ, so we seek to bear witness to Christ crucified and risen in all that we say and do. (See 1 Corinthians 1:18) - Grace-rooted
We are saved by grace through faith. Rooted in the Lutheran confessions, we seek to share the gift of God’s love with all people. (See Ephesians 2:8) - Spirit-led
In baptism, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. As communities of disciples grounded in prayer, we seek to be led and guided by the Spirit for the sake of Christ’s mission in the world. (See John 14:26) - Relationally-enriched
We are Christ’s church together. We seek to support and encourage one another in the work of ministry, building partnerships around the one mission we share in Christ. (See Ephesians 4:15-16) - Activated to serve
As Christ first serves us, so we are sent into the world to serve others. We seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus doing God’s work in the world, serving with our neighbors near and far.
About the ELCA
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region.
Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians, and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.