Northern Illinois Synod

Name

Northern Illinois Synod

Legal name

Northern Illinois Synod

Website

https://nisynod.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Organization Administration (Lutheran Synod Services)

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Religious organization administration
• Lutheran congregation support
• Rostered minister placement
• Faith-based credentialing programs
• Congregational resource distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Moline

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Mission Support: Member congregations contribute mission support — a form of shared giving — to fund synod operations and churchwide ELCA mission support. This is the primary ongoing revenue stream.
2. Assembly Registration Fees: Registration fees for Synod Assembly attendees ($110 per voting member in 2024/2025), covering event costs and meals.
3. Online Giving / Donations: The synod offers online giving through its website, accepting one-time and recurring donations.
4. Grant Application Fees: A $25 background check fee is charged to applicants for Synod Authorized Minister credentials and Lay Pulpit Supply credentials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Northern Illinois Synod is a regional administrative body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) that provides pastoral leadership, governance, and ministry support to its 137 member congregations across northern Illinois. It administers the call process for rostered ministers (pastors and deacons), delivers continuing education and sabbatical grants, issues lay credentialing (Synod Authorized Ministers, Lay Pulpit Supply), organizes the annual Synod Assembly, and distributes worship, formation, and Safe Church resources. The synod also maintains companion relationships with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and Arcot Lutheran Church in India.

Product overview

The Northern Illinois Synod operates a suite of digital ministry resources and programs centered around its website (nisynod.org), built on the Tithely platform. The core offerings include an Online Giving Platform for donations, a Find a Church Directory for locating congregations across eight regional conferences, and a Bulletin Board for congregational announcements. Key resources include Worship Resources (seasonal liturgical materials), E-News newsletter, and the Crossroads discernment program. The synod provides credentialing through the Synod Authorized Ministers (SAM) program and supports congregations in transition via Call Process Resources. Additional offerings include Pulpit Supply Lists, Congregational Life Grants for ministry innovation, Rostered Minister Resources (compensation, sabbaticals, continuing education), Sexual Misconduct Policy compliance materials, and the Growing Disciples/diakonia formation program. The annual Synod Assembly serves as the primary governance event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Giving Platform A simple and secure online giving platform enabling one-time and scheduled recurring donations for synod and congregational support. For donors and member congregations.
• Find a Church Directory A searchable directory of congregations within the Northern Illinois Synod, organized by eight geographical conferences. For individuals seeking a Lutheran congregation and community members.
• Bulletin Board A congregational news sharing platform for posting job openings, items looking for a home, and other announcements among member congregations.
• Worship Resources Curated worship materials including Lent series (Going Deeper: Conversations with Jesus), Baptism of Our Lord liturgy, and seasonal bulletins in PDF and Word formats. For pastors, worship leaders, and congregations.
• E-News Newsletter Twice-monthly electronic newsletter covering synod news, ministry updates, and wider ELCA church news. For congregations, rostered ministers, and lay leaders.
• Crossroads Program A discernment program helping individuals and congregations explore faithful next steps for ministry through coaching and information webinars. For congregations exploring ministry transitions.
• Walking Together Quarterly congregational inserts featuring companion relationships with the North Central Diocese of Tanzania and Arcot Lutheran Church in India, distributed for use in worship services.
• Synod Assembly Annual gathering held at Augustana College bringing together nearly 380 lay leaders and rostered ministers for worship, governance, resolutions, keynote speakers, and ministry fair. For elected voting members representing 137 congregations.
• Pulpit Supply List A directory of pastors, deacons, and lay individuals available for worship leadership across the synod, with published compensation guidelines for supply preaching.
• Synod Authorized Ministers (SAM) Program A credentialing program for lay ministers authorized to preside over communion and baptisms in specific contexts where ordained clergy are unavailable. For lay leaders in member congregations.
• Call Process Resources Comprehensive guidance for congregations in pastoral transition, including Ministry Site Profile templates and interview process documentation, with staff coaching support. For congregations and call committees.
• Rostered Minister Resources Resources for pastors and deacons including compensation guidelines, call forms, continuing education grants, sabbatical planning guides, and mutual ministry support. For rostered ministers serving in the synod.
• Sexual Misconduct Policy Resources Policy materials and sexual harassment prevention training resources to assist congregations in developing their own policies, supporting compliance with Illinois Human Rights Act annual training requirements.
• Growing Disciples / diakonia Program A reimagined lay faith formation program formerly known as diakonia, providing education for ministry leadership. For lay leaders in member congregations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 652 school kits packed by First Lutheran Church in DeKalb for Lutheran World Relief at a single 'God's work. Our hands.' Sunday event.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Northern Illinois Synod is one of 65 synods constituting the ELCA. The synod sends voting members to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, contributes mission support funding to churchwide ministries, and participates in churchwide programs including the Candidacy Committee, World Hunger, and Social Ministry initiatives. Bishop Stacie Fidlar reports to and works with ELCA Churchwide leadership, including Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
• Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (LOMC), Oregon, ILcoreOthersLOMC is one of the outdoor ministry sites serving the Northern Illinois Synod. LOM (Lutheran Outdoor Ministries) operates 126 outdoor ministry sites across the US with 300 full-time directors, 30,000 acres of land, and 175,000 summer campers annually. LOMC provides camp and retreat experiences for synod congregations.
• Lutherdale, Elkhorn, WIcoreOthersLutherdale is an outdoor ministry site serving the Northern Illinois Synod. It offers camp and retreat experiences aligned with Lutheran faith formation. Lutherdale is part of the broader LOM network.
• Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI)coreOthersLSSI (Lutheran Social Services in Illinois) is part of Lutheran Services in America, a network of over 300 Lutheran social ministry organizations with $22 billion in annual revenue touching 1 in 50 Americans. LSSI provides health and human services in Illinois — serving seniors, children, youth, families, people with disabilities, veterans, immigrants, refugees, and the homeless. The synod connects congregations with LSSI for social ministry outreach.
• Portico Benefit ServicescoreOthersPortico Benefit Services is a ministry of the ELCA providing benefits administration for rostered ministers and lay church employees. The synod directs congregations to Portico for compensation worksheets, benefits information, and retirement planning.
• Mission Investment FundminorOthersMission Investment Fund provides financial services to ELCA congregations, including loans and investment programs. Listed as a ministry partner of the synod in bulletins and assembly reports.
• North Central Diocese (NCD) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe synod has maintained a companion relationship with the North Central Diocese (formerly Arusha Diocese) of the ELCT for over 33 years. Bishop Stacie Fidlar first visited as a college student in 1991. The relationship, rooted in the ELCA's 'accompaniment' model, promotes mutuality, inclusivity, vulnerability, empowerment, and sustainability through prayer, study, communication, exchange of visitors, and resource sharing. Post-COVID, the synod is seeking to deepen this relationship.
• Arcot Lutheran Church, IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe synod maintains a relationship with Arcot Lutheran Church in India. Bishop Fidlar and Vice President Minnette Willard traveled to India in August 2024 for the consecration of Bishop Peter Paul Thomas, demonstrating the synod's commitment to showing up for international companions' important milestones.
• Augustana College, Rock Island, ILcoreOthersAugustana College hosts the annual Northern Illinois Synod Assembly each June. Augustana College is a historically Lutheran liberal arts college. The synod's bulletin of reports references Augustana College as a ministry partner and educational institution.
• ELCA FoundationminorOthersThe ELCA Foundation is listed as a ministry partner providing planned giving, estate planning, and stewardship resources to congregations.
• Lutheran School of Theology at ChicagominorOthersListed as a ministry partner and seminary. The synod's Candidacy Committee works with seminary students considering rostered ministry in the ELCA.
• Wartburg Theological SeminaryminorOthersListed as a ministry partner seminary. The synod's Candidacy Committee supports individuals pursuing theological education at ELCA seminaries.
• Luther College, Decorah, IAminorOthersListed as a ministry partner and ELCA college. Luther College is a liberal arts college affiliated with the ELCA and serves as a pipeline for church leadership.
• St. Olaf College, Northfield, MNminorOthersListed as a ministry partner and ELCA college serving as a pipeline for church leadership and theological education.
• Wartburg College, Waverly, IAminorOthersListed as a ministry partner and ELCA college serving as a pipeline for church leadership.
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (Global Refuge)minorOthersListed as a ministry partner. Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) provides refugee and immigrant services, aligning with the synod's advocacy and social ministry work.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Indiana-Kentucky Synod (ELCA): An ELCA synod covering two states with comparable congregational count and governance structure; runs parallel programs including SAM credentialing, continuing education grants, and call process support.
• Metropolitan Chicago Synod (ELCA): Another ELCA synod serving a northern Illinois geography; operates the same regional ecclesiastical governance model with mission support, call process, and assembly structure.
• Central States Synod (ELCA): An ELCA synod operating across a multi-state region with comparable congregational count and synod-level governance, mission support, and rostered minister support functions.
• Greater Milwaukee Synod (ELCA): ELCA synod in the upper Midwest with a similar urban/suburban/rural congregation mix; offers directly comparable call process, rostered minister support, and assembly governance services.
• Nebraska Synod (ELCA): A Plains-state ELCA synod of comparable size serving member congregations through the same regional ecclesiastical governance model.
• Southeastern Iowa Synod (ELCA): A neighboring ELCA synod with comparable congregational count and rural/suburban mix; operates the same synod governance model including mission support, assemblies, and Candidacy Committee functions.
• Southwestern Minnesota Synod (ELCA): Another ELCA synod with a predominantly rural congregation base and similar scale; provides the same mission support, call process, and assembly governance functions.
• Southeast Michigan Synod (ELCA): An ELCA regional synod of comparable size and structure serving southeastern Michigan; provides identical functions (call process, rostered minister support, assembly governance) over a similar geographic and demographic footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Episcopal Diocese of Chicago: A regional ecclesiastical governance body in the same northern Illinois geography serving Episcopal congregations; performs an analogous role (ordination, call process, diocesan convention, congregational support) but in a different denomination.
• Presbytery of Chicago (Presbyterian Church USA): A regional governing body in the same Illinois geography serving PCUSA congregations; performs an equivalent role (ordination exams, call process, presbytery meetings, congregational support) in a parallel mainline Protestant structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/nisynod
• Facebookfacebook.com/nisynod
• Instagraminstagram.com/nisynod
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northern-illinois-synod

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Northern Illinois Synod