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BC SYNOD REPORT FOR 2013 CONGREGATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
In this season of Epiphany we are reminded of how Christ makes all things new. Turning water into wine and despair into hope, he brings light into our world. Even though we journey into uncertain times, we know that he journeys with us. And so we seek to be faithful to Christ’s calling. We look with renewed vigor to see how God is at work in this world and of how God might be inviting us to be the church.
For this Synodical report to congregational AGMs, I will highlight some of the activities and initiatives that have been undertaken on your behalf this past year and also speak about some of the challenges facing us as a church. It is important to remember that our Synodical ministry is truly an extension of each congregation’s ministry. This is your ministry. We are in partnership together.
May God’s peace be with you,
+Bishop Greg Mohr
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Renewal and Redevelopment of Congregations: The Renewal and Redevelopment process for our Synod is now fully underway. The first cohort of pastors will hold their first gathering in February, with Congregational Guiding Teams meeting in March. This initiative was developed by Synod Council and a Renewal and Redevelopment Task Force over the past year in conjunction with consultant Rev. Dr. Alan Roxburgh. The Synod Convention in May passed a motion affirming this direction and instructed Synod Council to “promote the congregational renewal and redevelopment project in the Synod and to educate and encourage all congregations and clergy to participate fully.”
I believe an initiative such as this is of paramount importance for us as a church. While the process in and of itself provides a framework for study, discernment and engagement, an additional and extremely important aspect is that people from across our Synod will be gathering on a regular basis to learn from each other, share stories, and be encouraged and supported by one another. Similarly, pastors will be meeting on a regular basis and engaging in a leadership development process. They, too, will be encouraged, supported and, at times, challenged by their colleagues as together they grow in their ministry and leadership skills.
This whole process begins with the statement -- and the recognition -- that “God is at work in our world.” Then it quickly moves to the following two questions: “What does it mean to be the church in this 21st century?” and “To what is God calling us?” This is what forms the underpinnings of a multi-year conversation and engagement for the renewal and redevelopment of our ministry as congregations and as individuals. Our Synod has chosen to enter into this long-term process by engaging the consulting services of Dr. Alan Roxburgh. Some of you heard him speak at last year’s Synod Convention; others of you have listened to one or both of the orientation sessions held this past fall. Dr. Roxburgh will help us get at the question of “What is God up to in our world?” and provide us with a framework for moving beyond the questions and into action.
I believe that this process is vital for our church communities and I encourage you and your congregation to seriously consider participating. We have designed this process to be phased in over a number of years; that is, there are multiple points at which pastors and congregations can enter into the process. If your congregation is not at a point where you want to engage the process this year, that’s okay. The Task Force, Synod Council and I as your bishop are all committed to ensuring that this process is a multi-year initiative and will be available for all congregations over the coming years. The cost to participate is minimal, as the result of several significant gifts given to the Synod for mission and development.
I also want to point out that with this initial clergy cohort, several of our pastors will be trained to serve as
coaches for this and subsequent groups. In other words, built into this process is the commitment that, over time, we train our own facilitators. That way, we do not need to rely on an outside consultant year after year. It truly becomes our process. An outside consultant is vital for helping provide insight and initiative; however, over time, it is important that there be an organic pulse to this process and that there be leadership raised up within our own Synod.
Dr. Roxburgh and I have recorded 3 new videos to serve as introductory pieces for councils and congregations. They are now posted on our Synod website at www.bcsynod.org. I encourage you to show these videos at a council or committee meetings (perhaps even after church) and then asking questions such as, “So what did you hear? What jumped out at you? What did you learn?” as well as the quintessential Lutheran question: “What does this mean for us?” In other words, spend some time talking about what you heard and reflecting upon the points raised. Then show the second video at your next council meeting and so on.
A fourth video also is on the website. This is very similar to the presentation Dr. Roxburgh made at last year’s Synod Convention, where he discussed the Four Types of Congregations. See where you place your congregation and engage in conversation with others from your congregation. Once again ask yourselves the question, “What does this mean for us?” Also begin asking, “What is God up to in our neighborhood?” and “To what is God calling us?”
Structural Renewal: The Synod Convention motion to amalgamate with the Synod of Alberta and the Territories failed to achieve the requisite 2/3s majority vote. However, additional motions were passed mandating us to continue a conversation and explore ways by which we could work together – with Alberta and with the other synods -- “to further the mission of the church.”
One of the ways that this dialogue will continue is that I will be attending this year’s Study Conference for the ABT Synod; similarly, Bishop Larry Kochendorfer will attend our event in April. Secondly, the ABT Synod is initiating a pilot project concerning the development of regional “Areas,” which was one of the features of the Structural Renewal proposals. We will be watching with interest to see how that project unfolds. In addition, the bishops will attend this February’s Canadian Mission Consultation where we will explore and develop the framework for these “Areas.”
This year’s National Convention will be considering other aspects of the structural renewal proposals that are not directly related to the amalgamation of synods:
· establishing Synodically Recognized Ministries;
· moving to a 3-year cycle for conventions; if the motion passes, then we as a Synod also need to consider adjusting to the new cycle; and
· reducing the size of the national convention.
UBC Campus Ministry Centre: The UBC Campus Centre Task Force continues to work hard at re-developing our site adjacent to the University. This Task Force has recently engaged the services of a project manager who will oversee the community consultation process that is required prior to receiving approval for zoning changes. Architectural concept drawings were presented at last year’s Synod Convention and received a strong endorsement from convention delegates.
Joint Corporation: The Joint Corporation of the BC Synod and Christ the King Lutheran Church, Surrey, negotiated an agreement with BOSA for a redevelopment of the Surrey site. As part of this agreement, the Surrey Urban Mission Society was granted a significant financial amount. At this time of writing, the SUMS Board continues its search for a lease or ownership agreement that will secure their ministry for years to come.
Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon: There are significant challenges facing our seminary in Saskatoon. (Each of the four western synods is an owner of the seminary.) In November, the Board of Governors declared a “financial exigency,” which means that significant and far-reaching changes were required to maintain the financial integrity of the institution. This has meant the lay-off of two professors, among other changes. In the midst of this, however, there are some positive and creative things taking place. This past summer, LTS implemented a radical change to the delivery of their classes. Courses will now be held as 3-week intensives, which will make it easier for people pursuing a seminary education. Students are able to continue living in their communities and then attend classes as needed. This change in programming will make it much easier for families, in particular, and will cut down significantly on the cost of attending seminary.
A BC Synod Work Project was undertaken to support the Lord of Life mission in Sandspit, Haida Gwaii. Buckets simply could not keep up with the rain that inundates the Island. A new roof was necessary. Thank you all for your generous support of this project. Over $11,800 was raised from across our Synod, which provides enough money for an asphalt roof and almost enough for a metal roof. A local contractor is all lined up to do the repairs as soon as weather permits. He is charging a significantly reduced rate since his team can stay in the upstairs apartment while they fix the roof!
The revised Model Constitution and Bylaws for Congregations and supporting documents were sent to each congregation this past spring but you also can access them in the Documents section on the Synod website at www.bcsynod.org It is important that you review these documents and note where you need to make revisions in your own congregational constitution and bylaws. If you have any questions about process or content, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Ordination: Two ordinations were held within our Synod during 2012. Fleming Blishen was ordained in January and now serves the congregation of Our Saviour’s Lutheran, Prince George. In November,
Matthew Senf was ordained, and serves the Lutheran Urban Mission Society on a part-time, non-stipendiary basis.
First Call Program: It was our Synod’s turn to host the annual First Call Program conference. All rostered ministers in the first three years of their call participate in this program (one in the Eastern Synod; one among the four Western synods). The bishops commit to meeting with these new pastors and deacons for a 4-day event each fall, leading the participants in case studies, review of ministry, open space conversations, and counseling. This year’s event was held in Victoria, with Grace Lutheran providing the use of their facility and creating culinary delights for the participants.
Diaconal Formation Event was also held on the territory of our Synod this past summer. This biennial gathering involves Diaconal ministers from across North America, along with those who are candidates for the diaconate. Participants gathered for study, workshops, discernment, conversation and worship. You are invited to join their Facebook page “Friends of Diaconal Ministers” to keep up with the latest news on diaconal ministry.
CLAY 2014 (Canadian Lutheran and Anglican Youth Gathering) will take place in Kamloops in August of 2014. The national planning committee will be inviting local and regional participation from Lutheran and Anglicans in order to provide necessary support and human resources for an undertaking this size. I hope many of you will consider volunteering your time and energy to help make this event an incredible success. National Youth Gatherings are an important and inspiring event for young people, youth leaders and pastors. Let us do everything we can to promote and support this event.
Lay Study Conference: A sub-committee of the Committee for Theological Education and Leadership (CTEL) has begun work on establishing study opportunities for laypeople. They are exploring the options of holding regional learning opportunities, along with the possibility of a larger Synod-wide gathering every third year. Synod Convention “renewed its instruction to the committee to explore and present a model for theological education for lay people, comparable to the professional leadership study conference for rostered ministers.”
Loss of Congregations and Members: It is with great sadness that I have reported over the course of the year that several congregations have chosen to sever their relationship with the ELCIC. In addition, other congregations have experienced significant conflict as they discussed the implications of the national convention motions regarding the Human Sexuality Study. I encourage you to continue to pray for these congregations, that their continued dialogue be respectful and that their listening to one another be done in Christian love.
Legacy and Planned Giving sub-committee has prepared a number of printed resources for congregational use. In addition, several of the committee members are willing to serve as resource people for presentations to your congregation or individuals. You may call the Synod office for more information about resources and presenters.
Synod Finances: At the May 2012 Synod Convention, delegates approved a deficit budget for the fiscal year 2012-2013. (The Synod’s fiscal year runs from July to June of the following year.) Understandably, this is not sustainable over the long run. When asked what the deficit amount means on a per congregation average, the Synod Treasurer responded that, on average, each congregation’s share of the deficit would be an additional $500; that is, over and above their regular synodical benevolence. As a result of this, the convention delegates passed a motion directing the Stewardship Committee “to communicate to the congregations the financial need for the Synod’s fiscal 2013, suggesting the possibility of an additional $500 in benevolence per congregation.”