Happy hearts were pounding among the more than 2,000 worshipers. The soaring strain of hymns of praise filled the Columbus, Ohio, convention hall as — 25 years ago — bishops of three Lutheran church bodies poured water from three bowls into a baptismal font and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was born.
Years before that worship service there had been prayers, standing ovations, tears of joy and shouts of "Hallelujah!" as delegates to conventions of the American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches heard the results of votes approving the plan to end separate lives and merge into a new Lutheran church.
Some of us had been through previous mergers. Unions over many decades had brought together Lutherans of German, Swedish, Danish, Finnish and Norwegian heritage into congregations, synods, districts and national affiliations which — while honoring the heritage of our homelands — reflected more precisely the life and witness of Lutheranism on the North American continent.
 |
| Bishops of three Lutheran church bodies - James Crumley, Will Herzfeld and David Preus - pour water into the baptismal font in the convention hall in Columbus, Ohio, as worshipers celebrate the creation of the ELCA at the 1987 constituting convention. The ELCA was officially born Jan. 1, 1988. |
The most recent of those mergers, in 1960 and 1963, created the ALC and the LCA. The AELC didn't come from a merger, but from a schism. It was composed of pastors and congregations that broke from the
Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod in the 1970s after a long, bitter dispute over theology and interpretation of the Bible.
Now, following years of discussion and negotiation, there was to be a new Lutheran church giving us a stronger, more unified witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, guided by the teachings of Martin Luther, taking a firm hold on the 20th century and carrying that witness into the 21st century, just 12 years away.
"It was a time of youthful idealism, even playful idealism," said Ann Hafften, Weatherford, Texas, an ALC staff member at the time. "We were looking toward a oneness that was very holy and believed that was the direction we should be headed. We were looking at the world differently and at a world that was going to be different."
The world of our new
ELCA would be different, but in some unsuspected and surprising ways.
Leaders emerge
The constituting convention elected Herbert Chilstrom, head of the LCA Minnesota Synod, as bishop of the new church. (The term "presiding bishop" wasn't chosen to describe the office until several years later.) On the fifth ballot, Chilstrom received 626 votes, with David Preus, then head of the ALC, receiving 411.
"The
ELCA was born in turbulent times," Chilstrom wrote in his memoir, A Journey of Grace (see "Leaders 'back then' left their marks"). Massive changes in society during the 1960s and 1970s were having an impact on all churches and the attitude of Americans toward religious institutions.
The new bishop remembers being thrilled with the
ELCA staff that gathered in Chicago, the site chosen for the church's national offices. "We had some very top-notch people taking positions with the
ELCA," he said in an interview with The Lutheran. "When you're faced with a job you felt you could not do on your own, you wanted good people around you."
But there were disappointments and worries in the first year. Income didn't meet expectations. A budget of $112 million was found to be too optimistic. So Chilstrom encouraged units of the new church to intentionally underspend. They did so by $7 million, but there was still a shortfall.
Financial woes would continue to plague the
ELCA. In 1990 the budget was cut to about $90 million. And in subsequent years there were further cuts in staff and budget.
The 2013 budget is about $62 million for
ELCA operations, about $47 million of that is designated for mission support, plus about $18.5 million for
ELCA World Hunger.
As we began life together in the
ELCA, some chose not to join us. In the first year more than 50 congregations left to become independent or part of The Association of American Lutheran Churches, formed by ALC congregations that didn't approve of the merger.
Our new church had been launched, continuing the paths set by the previous church bodies, and shaping its own mission.
The first 100 days
Chilstrom spoke glowingly about the first 100 days of the new church.
"I'm beginning to see some changes happening in this church that in the long run are going to have profound significance for us," he said. The bishop was referring to "intentionally becoming an inclusive church," breaking out of the stereotype of Lutherans as white, northern Europeans.
"Out of this comes the question of how much variety can this church tolerate," he added.
 |
| This photo of Gunnel Sterner, a voting member from Bethlehem, Pa., to the 1997 Churchwide Assembly, was on the cover ofThe Lutheran. It became synonymous with the strong emotions surrounding the full communion agreement between the ELCA and the Episcopal Church. The agreement failed in 1997 but passed two years later. |
"It surprised me how much I would be involved in ecumenical affairs. That came very fast. Suddenly I'm walking into a world where, if I thought the
ELCA was large, the Anglican and Roman Catholic and Orthodox worlds were larger.
"It was a pleasant surprise to discover that I had so much in common with people in those other churches. I coveted those relationships in the gospel."
Ecumenism would be a key concern for the
ELCA, in actions that both stirred some of us and troubled others.
In 1997 we approved full altar and pulpit fellowship with three Reformed Churches: the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Reformed Church in America, and the United Church of Christ.
While admitting some differences in the approach to the sacrament of communion, the agreement said that shouldn't keep the church bodies from sharing the sacrament together, exchanging pastors and forming cooperative congregations. Though controversial in some circles, the "Formula of Agreement" passed by a vote of 839-193.
However, that same year we failed — by a narrow margin — to approve a similar agreement establishing fellowship with the U.S. Episcopal Church. After some renegotiation, it won approval two years later, but opposition to the requirement that pastors be ordained by bishops remained strong and even caused some congregations to begin to withdraw from the
ELCA.
Those ecumenical agreements capped years of dialogue begun long before the
ELCA merger was approved, bringing to fruition work started by the ALC, LCA and AELC. But some other aspects of what had been life in our previous church bodies would prove difficult for the
ELCA.
Culture shifts
"I was surprised in those first years how long it was taking to grow out of the mentality of our predecessor church bodies," said Bishop E. Roy Riley of the
New Jersey Synod, one of the first bishops elected after the
ELCA merger. "There was excitement about the new church, but the 'new' didn't really take root quickly."
Hafften, who worked outside the
ELCA before joining the churchwide staff a few years after the merger, said, "Some of the barriers that I thought would break down, didn't break down. But I thought that it would be easier for people to set aside who we had been in favor of the new church.
"The congregations I moved in and out of those years weren't as excited about it as I was."
Although Riley said he "began to appreciate the cultures of those previous church bodies," at the same time he "saw why it was difficult to let go of some of that history and perspective."
For Bob Elliott, a former
ELCA staff member who lives in Chicago, "those of us who were urban underestimated how conservative the rest of the country was." He said the
ELCA was perceived as being "too progressive in many ways" by those in rural and semi-rural areas around the country.
 |
| Sexuality dominated the debate at virtually every Churchwide Assembly leading up to the historic 2009 decision. Jane Ralph was one of about 100 in 2005 protesting the assembly's rejection of a proposal that would have made room for partnered gay and lesbian leaders on the roster. |
The
ELCA also was buffeted by the difficulties facing churches and American society in the 1990s and beyond.
All of the predecessor church bodies had enthusiastically engaged such social issues as racism, sexism, economic injustice, and war and peace. The
ELCAcontinued this engagement by adopting "social statements" intended to be "teaching documents" to help pastors and laypeople consider a Christian response to social problems and to guide
ELCA officials in addressing public issues.
Some were controversial. A 1991 statement on abortion attempted to chart a path between the staunchly "pro-life" position that would ban almost all abortions, and what was seen as a too casual an approach to abortion. But many of those on the "pro-life" side of the issue disagreed with the statement's implications.
Other social statements addressed the role of the church in society and the death penalty (1991); care for the environment (1993); racism, ethnicity and culture (1993); peace (1995); economic life (1999); health care (2003); education (2007); sexuality (2009); and genetics (2011).
A proposed statement called "The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries" is to be discussed at the Churchwide Assembly this year.
Sexuality proves divisive
Though the topics were wide-ranging, it was the issue of sexuality that would have seismic effects on the
ELCA.
Discussions about sexuality were raging throughout society and we had addressed the issue long before the
ELCA merger. An editorial in The Lutheran reviewed the positions taken by the previous church bodies (March 1987). Later that year two seminary professors would write articles about the Bible and homosexuality, and some openly gay seminarians in California sought ordination and were refused.
In a meeting early in 1988, the Conference of Bishops said gay and lesbian pastors could be ordained but would be expected to be celibate.
 |
| Jane Margaret Bengston, a fourth-generation pastor, was among the early crop of 1988 ordinations. Her father Luther Bengston (left) and grandfather Carol A. Bengston participated in the ordination presided over by Reuben Swanson (right), acting bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod. |
The debate went on in congregations, synods and churchwide as we prepared a social statement on sexuality, which was approved at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. The implementing of that social statement meant that gays and lesbians who were in a recognized, lifelong partnered relationships could be ordained and that
ELCA pastors could officiate at same-sex union ceremonies, although they weren't required to do so.
"I knew we could not run away from that issue," Chilstrom said, "and I thought we did as good a job as we could in getting the church ready."
Although Chilstrom said he believed the 2009 decision was "the right thing to do," he knew it would be costly.
And it was. About 700 congregations left the
ELCA, sometimes after bitter fights to win the two-thirds congregational vote needed to withdraw.
Bishop Jessica Crist, current head of the Conference of Bishops, lost 20 of the 145 congregations in the
Montana Synod. Losses in some Midwestern synods sometimes took dozens of churches out of the
ELCA. Some that didn't leave withheld mission support to the synod, directing congregational giving to other causes.
"With the crash of the economy, this was a double whammy," said Crist in an interview.
Like other bishops, Crist said the controversy took time and money. But despite the losses, the Montana bishop remains positive. "Some congregations had been angry for years; and some were still angry about mergers prior to 1988," she said. "We are healthier and happy now. We are of one mind that we will be together in the mission of the church, even if we have different opinions on some things."
In some ways, Crist said, the losses were "analogous to cleaning the rolls" of a congregation. "We do not have the anger and hostility at synod assemblies that we had before," she added.
Chilstrom said some bishops are now saying "it's a new day, with a more positive, upbeat spirit" as the dissent over the 2009 decision waned with the departure of the congregations opposing the decision.
Most of the congregations leaving the
ELCA joined two church bodies — Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ and the North American Lutheran Church.
Continuing to plant ...
"Planting" new churches has been a theme in American Lutheranism since Henry Melchior Muhlenberg chose ecclesia plantanda, meaning the church must be planted in a new setting (the American continent) as his motto when he began establishing Lutheran churches here in 1742.
Nearly 500 congregations have been started since 1988, 45 of them in 2012 and 55 in 2011. Actually, more than 500 "mission starts" were approved, said Mary Frances,
ELCA assistant director for development of new congregations, but not all succeed.
Many pastors and people in these missions, as well as established congregations, have little or no experience with or nostalgia for the previous church bodies. The
ELCA has ordained about 7,500 pastors since 1988, almost half of the active pastors now on the clergy roster.
"When the
ELCA was formed, I was 8 years old," said Cheryl Walenta-Gorvie, pastor of
Bethany Lutheran Church in Dallas. "I'm generations removed from those who came from Europe. I just don't see those European things emphasized much anymore."
But Walenta-Gorvie feels strongly about the value of the theological heritage of Lutheranism. "Our theology is so rich, it deserves to be proclaimed," she said.
Walenta-Gorvie grew up in a "non-Lutheran" culture, surrounded by Baptists, some of whom wondered whether Lutherans were Christian. "I get excited about the ways to proclaim a distinctively Lutheran witness," she said.
Most of her life has been in the
ELCA, including her college and seminary training. What we "were" in previous generations is less important than what we can be today, she said.
Pastors at the front end of their careers are accustomed to change, she said, and "know there will be more changes."
... in prepared ground
Riley of New Jersey said young people like Walenta-Gorvie and those now reaching maturity fill him with hope.
 |
| Every three years, young people and adult leaders throughout the church are shaped by the ELCA Youth Gathering. In 1994, Marck Tiegel, then 17 and a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Palo Alto, Calif., graced the September cover of The Lutheran in its story on the Atlanta gathering attended by 35,000 youth and adults. |
"The
ELCA made a huge investment in youth in its early years," he said, citing the hugely popular
ELCA Youth Gatherings. "Clearly we are preparing the ground well. My best hope is the young leaders we are preparing for the future."
Making the hand-off to that new generation requires work, he said, adding, "We need to find ways to care for and maintain a church filled with the wisdom and commitment of long-term members at the same time that we are creating our new leaders."
Crist said, "I'm looking forward to starting more new ministries, and our full communion agreements and partnership with other denominations will help us to do that."
The Montana bishop also sees an expanding emphasis on training lay leaders and keeping alert to new needs. Citing the biblical warning about putting "new wine" into old wineskins, Crist said, "In 1988 we knew that we made new wineskins." Many congregations, operate "unconsciously" out of their old ways, she added, and "we need to focus on the new."
There are no agreed-upon "biological" standards for the growth of church bodies, so as the
ELCA celebrates its 25th birthday, it's hard to say whether we are still young or have matured. Author and radio humorist Garrison Keillor, popular chronicler of the Lutherans in fictional Lake Wobegon, said the Latin motto on the town's official seal is sumus quod sumus: "We are what we are." Not a bad description of the
ELCAtoday.
It's good to know who we are, but a church looking toward the future also needs to consider what it's going to be. "We are now in a very good place," said Bill Biggs of Omaha, Neb. "And we were in a very good place 25 years ago."
While he believes it will take some new things for the
ELCA to grow, Biggs said "we should never give up the principles of our church."
Biggs is a lawyer who was a delegate to the LCA convention that approved the merger and served on the transition team that brought the "new" Nebraska Synod together in 1988. "Except for my marriage," he said, "I don't think I've had a more exciting experience in my life."
People, Biggs thinks, have "lost the excitement about the new thing that we were doing" in creating the
ELCA.
One of the great things about the
ELCA today, he said, is "the way we understand that the church is the people, and we let people make the decisions. It's the people who make the decisions [at synod and churchwide assemblies], they aren't just told how to vote."
Biggs is a member of
Rejoice! Lutheran, a congregation in Omaha that grew from 25 families to more than 3,000 members, largely, he said, "by reaching out, always reaching out, especially to young people."
The congregation's strength is that "we'll take on anything," he added, citing a program for children called "Spirit Matters," which brings those with physical or developmental disabilities into congregational life on Thursday afternoons.
The brightest
ELCA future lies in making changes, Biggs said, and in "partnership." After the
ELCA's ecumenical agreements with Methodist and Presbyterians, Biggs helped the synod establish Methodist/Lutheran and Presbyterian/Lutheran congregations. "We come together with a common cause," he said, "and they have the same mission as we do."
Hafften said, "It hardly seems like 25 years" since the
ELCA began.
The church is still "new," she added, because an institution should be "re-creating itself every day; that will keep us young. I don't want to sit around dreaming about 'glory days,' I want to be a part of what is coming next."
Biggs said we should never be just "comfortable in our pews. We should totally commit ourselves to the future and not be afraid. The future is exciting."
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SC13-23
MINUTES of the ELCA-SOUTHEASTERN SYNOD COUNCIL
Chattanooga Marriott Hotel, Chattanooga, TN
May 30, 2013
I. CALL TO ORDER – Vice President Doris Underwood, chair of the meeting, called to order the
May 30, 2013 meeting of the Southeastern Synod Council at the Chattanooga Marriott Hotel,
Chattanooga, Tennessee, at 10:00 a.m. Bishop Julian Gordy led the opening devotion.
A. Attendance. The following persons were marked in attendance for the meeting:
OFFICERS PRESENT:
Bishop Julian Gordy President
Ms. Doris Underwood Vice President and Chair of the meeting
Rev. Terri Stagner-Collier Secretary
Mr. Lee Smith Treasurer
CONFERENCE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT:
Rev. Gary Soop Conference 1
Rev. Mary Peters Conference 3
Mr. Hilton Austin Conference 4
Ms. Sharon Bost Conference 5
Rev. Ed Wolff Conference 6
Rev. Randy Jones Conference 7
Mr. Kurt Stavely Conference 8
Rev. Dr. Michael Huntley Conference 9
MEMBERS AT-LARGE PRESENT:
Mr. Gary Pederson Member At-Large
Ms. Mercedes Jackson Member At-Large
Dr. Andrea Green Member At-Large
Ms. Stephanie Gaines Youth Member At-Large
COUNCIL MEMBER ABSENT:
Mr. Stan Semmler Conference 2
COUNCIL POSITIONS VACANT:
Clergy At-Large
Young Adult Member At-Large
STAFF PRESENT:
Ms. Rachel Alley Assistant to the Bishop for Young Adult & Youth Ministries
Rev. Paul Summer Assistant to the Bishop
Rev. Darrel Peterson Assistant to the Bishop
AIM Michelle Angalet Executive Assistant to the Bishop
Dr. Everett Flanigan Director for Evangelical Mission
DM Rebecca Kolowé Director for Evangelical Mission
Dr. Sandra Gustavson Fiscal Advisor
OTHERS PRESENT (for some of the meeting):
Bishop Mark Hanson Presiding Bishop, ELCA
Ms. Ione Hanson Guest
Rev. Phil Harkey University of Georgia Lutheran Campus Ministry
SC13-24
B. Adoption of Agenda. Without dissent, the Council began work from the printed agenda, with
additions and corrections provided and incorporated within these minutes.
C. Removal of Proposals from En Bloc Consideration. Council members considered the list of
proposed actions contained in EXHIBIT 33. Requests were made to consider the following
proposals separately:
Audit Report (EXHIBITS 26, 27, and Synod Assembly EXHIBIT 7)
Exhibit 17 (Nomination of At-Large Members of Synod Council)
Exhibit 18 (Linn Fund Loan for Community of Grace, Grayson, GA)
Exhibit 19 (Dong Hang Mission, Duluth, GA)
Proposals listed in EXHIBIT 33 that were not removed from en bloc consideration were
approved via one en bloc motion. To provide clarity within these minutes, all proposals and their
associated actions are reported separately; those that were approved en bloc are so noted.
D. Minutes of the January 2013 Meeting. As part of the en bloc motion, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.01SC To approve the minutes of the January 18-19, 2013
Synod Council meeting.
II. OFFICERS
A. President - Bishop H. Julian Gordy
1. Report of the Bishop (SA, page B-1). Bishop Julian Gordy referred Council members
to the written report he prepared for the Synod Assembly. He highlighted the following
matters addressed in that report:
• Recently there has been more turnover than usual among the deans and synod
staff.
• We have organized three new congregations within the past two years.
• It has been helpful to have funds available to provide sabbatical and wellness
grants. Similar funding will be available again this year, since the Southeastern
Synod achieved the necessary percentage of members completing the health
assessment for Portico.
• The new Stewardship Table must address financial accountability issues. Last
year 26 congregations contributed nothing for mission support. The 10
congregations that gave the most mission support provided almost one-third of
the total received for this purpose.
2. Roster Status Changes (EXHIBIT 28.01)
a. Clergy On Leave from Call: As part of the en bloc motion, it was PROPOSED
and
AGREED SC13.05.02AR That the ELCA-Southeastern Synod ordained
ministers listed be granted On Leave from Call
status in accordance with the terms stated:
SC13-25
The Rev. Donald E. Vollenweider – 1st year, beginning 5/1/13
The Rev. Jack A. Wilder – 1st year, beginning 1/1/13
The Rev. Scott J. Seeke – 1st year, beginning 6/1/13
The Rev. Wayne S. Cobb – 2nd year beginning 8/1/13
The Rev. Julie A. Ehlers-King – 2nd year beginning 6/1/13
The Rev. M. Terrell Fugate – 3rd year beginning 9/5/13
b. Associates in Ministry / Diaconal Ministers / Deaconesses On Leave from Call:
As part of the en bloc motion, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.03AR That the ELCA-Southeastern Synod rostered lay
persons listed be granted On Leave from Call
status in accordance with the terms stated:
Ms. Sandra L. Braasch – 1st year, beginning June 1, 2013
Ms. Melody Simpkins – on leave from call-graduate study – 4th
year, beginning 7/19/13
c. Letters of Call (Clergy): As part of the en bloc motion, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.04AR That the ELCA-Southeastern Synod ordained
ministers listed be granted term calls for the
terms stated:
The Rev. Gilbert J. Roth - Executive Director, Roth Center,
One-year Extension of Term Call: Start - 5/31/13
The Rev. Sung Bae Han – Pastor Developer, Dong Hang
Mission, Duluth, GA, Start: Date of reception into the ELCA
d. Letters of Call – Term Calls: As part of the en bloc motion, it was PROPOSED
and
AGREED SC13.05.05AR That the ELCA-Southeastern Synod ordained
ministers listed be granted calls to serve as
Synod interim ordained ministers in accordance
with the terms stated and with all income and
benefits to be paid by the congregations
served:
The Rev. Sandra S. Niiler - Extension of One-Year Term Call:
Start - 7/13/13
The Rev. Craig N. Storlie - Extension of One-Year Term Call:
Start - 3/1/13
e. Rescinding of Term Calls: As part of the en bloc motion, it was PROPOSED
and
SC13-26
AGREED SC13.05.06AR That the call issued to the ELCA-Southeastern
Synod pastor be rescinded due to being issued
in error:
The Rev. Duane O. Salness – call issued at January 2013
Synod Council Meeting
f. Clergy Retirement: As part of the en bloc motion, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.07AR That the ELCA-Southeastern Synod Ordained
Minister listed be granted retirement status as
of the date stated:
The Rev. Kerry P. Maurer – effective July 1, 2013
g. Disability Status: As part of the en bloc motion, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.08AR That the ELCA-Southeastern Synod Ordained
Minister listed be granted disability status as of
the date stated:
The Rev. Gary M. Schimmer – effective March 8, 2013
h. Synodically Authorized Minister: As part of the en bloc motion, it was
PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.09AR That the following Synodically Authorized
Minister appointment by the Bishop of the
Southeastern Synod be affirmed:
The Rev. David O. Trott, Sr. - St. Stephen Lutheran Church,
Decatur, GA (with parallel Caribbean worshiping community)
- beginning January 15, 2013
i. Deaths:
The Rev. Edward A. Livingston, Loudon, TN – March 15, 2013
The Rev. Dr. Donald S. Armentrout, Sewanee, TN – March 30, 2013
The Rev. William F. Diamond, Valdosta, GA – May 4, 2013
3. Use of 2012-13 Emergency Funds (EXHIBIT 5). Bishop Gordy called the Synod
Council’s attention to EXHIBIT 5, which summarized the $2,339 in contributions and
$2,581 in expenditures from the synod’s Emergency Assistance Fund during the 2012-
13 fiscal year. The beginning balance in this fund for the current fiscal year is $5,051.55.
4. Background Checks for Secretary Nominees. Bishop Gordy reported that background
checks had been completed for the three persons nominated by the Synod Council for
the office of Synod Secretary. These persons are the Rev. Ruth Hamilton, the Rev.
Randy Jones, and Mr. Wayne Fell. No issues of concern were noted.
SC13-27
5. Global Mission Breakfast. Bishop Gordy reminded Council members that there will be
a Global Mission breakfast at 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, as part of the 2013 Synod
Assembly. Developments concerning two of our companion synods (Ethiopian Mekane
Yesus and Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala) will be discussed at the breakfast.
6. Apostles, Atlanta, GA Bishop Gordy provided an update about the current situation at
Apostles Lutheran Church, Atlanta. Following the 2013 Synod Assembly, he intends to
write to the congregation to inform them that they (a) cannot have a pastor who is not on
the roster of the ELCA and (b) cannot leave the ELCA without following the constitutional
process.
B. Vice President – Ms. Doris Underwood (SA, page B-2). The Council reviewed the Vice
President’s listing of recent activities, as provided in the Synod Assembly materials.
C. Secretary – Rev. Terri Stagner-Collier (SA, page B-3 and Tab F). The Council reviewed the
Secretary’s report, as provided in the Synod Assembly materials.
D. Treasurer – Mr. Lee Smith. The Council reviewed the financial reports through April 2013, as
provided in EXHIBIT 24.
1. 2012-13 Actual versus Original Spending Plan (EXHIBITS 6 and 7). The Council
reviewed the actual funding sources and expenditures in the Unrestricted Fund during
the 2012-13 fiscal year and compared them to the approved Level 1 Funding Plan. In all
but one instance, spending adhered to Synod Council guidelines for implementing
approved funding plans. The one exception involved a small overage in the “Salaries
and Housing” category; this overage resulted from the need to pay a departing staff
member for 1.33 unused vacation days. With respect to this exception, as part of the en
bloc motion, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.10TR To retroactively approve the $207.93 expended
in fiscal year 2012-13 in excess of the budgeted
$391,350 for the category “Salaries and
Housing.”
2. Endowment Fund Spending Limits, 2013-14 (EXHIBIT 8). The Council reviewed the
current year spending authorizations for the synod’s endowment funds. Synod policy
limits annual spending from endowment funds to no more than 6 percent of the prior 4-
year average of investable assets for each fund.
III. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
A. Notification of Executive Committee Actions. The Council reviewed the minutes of the
January 18, 2013 and April 10, 2013 meetings of the Executive Committee (EXHIBITS 9 and
10) and noted that the Executive Committee also met on May 29, 2013. Executive Committee
actions since January 18, 2013 that will not be otherwise addressed during the current Synod
Council meeting were the following:
• Authorization for renewal of the synod office lease for a period of 5 years, effective May
1, 2013, at a base rental rate of $14.75 per square foot.
• Appointment of Ms. Beth Hargrave (Cross of Life, Roswell, GA) and Ms. Connie
Monson (St. John’s, Atlanta, GA) to the Mutual Ministry Committee, each for two-year
SC13-28
terms ending in June 2015. Neither individual has previously served on the synod’s
Mutual Ministy Committee.
B. Representation on Committees, Task Forces, and Boards (EXHIBIT 32). As part of the en
bloc motion, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.11EC To elect the following persons as specified:
Budget & Finance Committee
Rev. David Smedley, Hope, Ellijay, GA, unexpired term to June 2014 (first term)
Nominating Committee
Rev. William Flippin, Emmanuel, Atlanta, GA, 2-yr term to June 2015 (first term)
Rev. Harry Tedrow, Mt. Zion-St. Luke, Oglethorpe, GA, 2-yr term to June 2015 (second
term)
Candidacy Committee
Mr. Gary Klukken, Peace, Knoxville, TN, unexpired term to June 2016 (first term)
Mr. Bill Grabill, Christ Our Shepherd, Peachtree City, GA, 6-yr term to June 2019 (first full
term)
DM Allison Ward, Redeemer, Savannah, GA, 6-yr term to June 2019 (first full term)
Kessler Scholarship Committee
Dr. Winton King, St. Paul’s, Decatur, GA, 2-yr term to June 2015 (second term)
Rev. Laura Bostrom, Faith, Knoxville, TN, 2-yr term to June 2015 (first term)
Board of Directors, Southeastern Lutheran Holding Corporation
Ms. Sharon Bost, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA, 1-yr term to June 2014 (first full term)
Ms. Doris Underwood, Messiah, Montgomery, AL, 1-yr term to June 2014 (fourth term)
Mr. Hilton Austin, All Saints, Lilburn, GA, 1-yr term to June 2014 (second term)
Rev. Randy Jones, Messiah, Montgomery, AL, 1-yr term to June 2014 (second term)
Mission Outreach and Renewal Committee
Rev. Laura Shally, Shepherd of the Lake, Loudon, TN, 2-yr term to June 2015 (first term)
Audit Committee
Rev. John Rossing, Christ the King, Dalton, GA, 3-yr term to June 2016 (second term)
Ms. Julieta Cook, Prince of Peace, Alpharetta, GA, 3-yr term to June 2016 (first term)
Board of Trustees, NovusWay Ministries
Rev. Dale Sillik, Trinity, Lilburn, GA, 3-yr term (August 2, 2013 – June 30, 2016)
Youth Ministries Team
DM Mary Houck, Cross of Life, Roswell, GA, 1-yr term to June 2014 (first term)
Mr. Thomas Jannett, Trinity, Lilburn, GA, 1-yr term to June 2014 (first term)
Ms. Mackenzie Heck, Epiphany, Suwanee, GA, 1-yr term to June 2014 (first term)
Mr. Jonathan Awtrey, Incarnation, Marietta, GA, 1-yr term to June 2014 (first term)
Mr. Michael Glor, St. Timothy, Hendersonville, TN, 1-yr term to June 2014 (third term)
AIM Jo Hood, St. Andrew, Franklin, TN, 1-yr term to June 2014 (third term)
Ms. Suzanne Wilhoit, Salem, Parrottsville, TN, 1-yr term to June 2014 (third term)
Rev. Matt Steinhauer, Faith, Lebanon, TN, 1-yr term to June 2014 (first term)
Ms. Lauren Gray, Messiah, Madison, AL, 1-yr term to June 2014 (first term)
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Ms. Mica Koli, St. Stephen, Decatur, GA, 1-yr term to June 2014 (first term)
Campus Ministry Team
Mr. Justin Marx, Cross of Life, Roswell, GA, 2-yr term to June 2015 (first term)
Mr. Bill Porter, Redeemer, Atlanta, GA, 2-yr term to June 2015 (first term)
Rev. Tony Prinsen, First United, Kennesaw, GA, 2-yr term to June 2015 (first term)
Rev. Amy Figg, St. John’s, Knoxville, TN, 2-yr term to June 2015 (first term)
Rev. Rick Ohsiek, St. Paul’s, Maryville, TN, 2-yr term to June 2015 (first term)
Mr. Noah Eggleston, Christ the Lord, Lawrenceville, GA, 2-yr term to June 2015 (first term)
Personnel Committee
Mr. Mike Franklin, Holy Trinity, Nashville, TN, 2-yr term to June 2015 (third term)
Mr. Bill Alderfer, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA, 2-yr term to June 2015 (third term)
Rev. Barbara Hunter, retired, MS, 2-yr term to June 2015 (second term)
Ms. Annette Harris, Christus Victor, Ocean Springs, MS, 2-yr term to June 2015 (third term)
Rev. Patricia Axel, Nativity, Bethlehem, GA, 2-yr term to June 2015 (third term)
SMO Allocations Committee
Rev. Larry Richardson, Faith, Clay, AL, 2-yr term to June 2015 (first term)
C. Congregational Constitutions. Upon the recommendation of the Rev. Randy Jones, reviewer
of congregational constitutions and as part of the en bloc motion, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.12CS To approve the constitutional / bylaw amendments of
the following congregations:
Reformation, Greeneville, TN
Messiah, Decatur, GA
Christus Victor, Ocean Springs, MS
Advent, Augusta, GA
D. TEEM Program Memorandum of Understanding (EXHIBIT 11). As part of the en bloc motion,
it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.13CA To authorize Bishop Gordy to sign the memo of
understanding contained in Exhibit 11, which outlines
future collaboration between the Lutheran Theological
Center in Atlanta and the Pacific Lutheran Theological
Seminary in offering the Theological Education for
Emerging Ministries (TEEM) program.
E. Nominations for At-Large Members of Synod Council (EXHIBIT 17). Vice President
Underwood explained that there are two at-large positions to be elected during the 2013 Synod
Assembly. Given the demographic characteristics of current Synod Council members whose
terms extend beyond the 2013 Assembly, five options are detailed in EXHIBIT 17 to address
each possible scenario that could result when the conference representative, synod secretary,
youth, and young adult Synod Council elections have been completed. The Executive
Committee PROPOSED and the Synod Council
AGREED SC13.05.14SC To:
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1. Nominate the following for two at-large positions on the Synod Council, with a
term from 2013 to 2015, contingent on the results of the Synod Council elections
for conference representatives, synod secretary, youth, and young adult member
indicating that one at-large position should be a lay male and the other position
should be a pastor (gender unspecified):
Lay Male Position: Mr. Tony Endozo, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA
Mr. Henry Harris, Christus Victor, Ocean Springs, MS
Clergy Position: Rev. Susan Springer, St. Andrew, Franklin, TN
Rev. Dan Pharr, Christ, Prattville, AL
2. Nominate the following for two at-large positions on the Synod Council, with a
term from 2013 to 2015, contingent on the results of the Synod Council elections
for conference representatives, synod secretary, youth, and young adult member
indicating that one at-large position should be a lay female and the other position
should be a pastor (gender unspecified):
Lay Female Position: Ms. Karen Boda, Resurrection, Marietta, GA
AIM Linda Larson, St. Paul’s, Savannah, GA
Clergy Position: Rev. Susan Springer, St. Andrew, Franklin, TN
Rev. Dan Pharr, Christ, Prattville, AL
3. Nominate the following for two at-large positions on the Synod Council, with a
term from 2013 to 2015, contingent on the results of the Synod Council elections
for conference representatives, synod secretary, youth, and young adult member
indicating that one at-large position should be a lay female and the other position
should be a lay male:
Lay Female Position: Ms. Karen Boda, Resurrection, Marietta, GA
AIM Linda Larson, St. Paul’s, Savannah, GA
Lay Male Position: Mr. Tony Endozo, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA
Mr. Henry Harris, Christus Victor, Ocean Springs, MS
4. Nominate the following for two at-large positions on the Synod Council, with a
term from 2013 to 2015, contingent on the results of the Synod Council elections
for conference representatives, synod secretary, youth, and young adult member
indicating that both at-large positions should be for lay females:
Position 1: AIM Linda Larson, St. Paul’s, Savannah, GA
Ms. Alice Schunemann, Ascension, Savannah, GA
Position 2: Ms. Karen Boda, Resurrection, Marietta, GA
5. Nominate the following for two at-large positions on the Synod Council, with a
term from 2013 to 2015, contingent on the results of the Synod Council elections
for conference representatives, synod secretary, youth, and young adult member
indicating that both at-large positions should be for lay males:
Position 1: Mr. Tony Endozo, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA
Mr. Keith James, Christ the Lord, Lawrenceville, GA
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Position 2: Mr. Henry Harris, Christus Victor, Ocean Springs, MS
6. Authorize Vice President Doris Underwood to act on behalf of the Synod
Council at the appropriate time during the 2013 Synod Assembly to
administratively determine the Council’s at-large nominees, based on the results
of the Synod Council elections for conference representatives, synod secretary,
youth, and young adult member.
F. Organization of Nativity, Bethlehem, GA ( EXHIBIT 15). As part of the en bloc motion, it was
PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.15AR To approve the organization of Nativity Lutheran
Church, Bethlehem, Georgia, as an official
congregation of the ELCA.
G. Closure of The River (EXHIBIT 16) As part of the en bloc motion, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.16AR To approve the closure of The River Church, a
Southeastern Synod new start in Alpharetta, GA, and
accept the resignation of Pastor Scott Seeke from his
Synod Council call as mission developer.
H. Dong Hang Mission (EXHIBIT 19). Bishop Gordy provided background information about
recent conflicts within the Korean Lutheran community in the Atlanta area and noted that Synod
Council member Hilton Austin has been significantly involved with efforts to help mediate these
conflicts. At the recommendation of Bishop Gordy, it was PROPOSED and the Synod Council
AGREED SC13.05.17AR To designate the Dong Hang Worshiping Community
in Duluth, Georgia as a Synodically Authorized
Worshiping Community (SAWC).
I. St. Stephen’s Caribbean Mission (EXHIBIT 20) As part of the en bloc motion, it was
PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.18AR To designate St. Stephen’s Caribbean Mission in
Decatur, Georgia as a Synodically Authorized
Worshiping Community (SAWC).
J. Proposed Bylaw Regarding Synod Assembly Notice (EXHIBIT 14). As part of the en bloc
motion, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.19CT To recommend that the 2013 Synod Assembly amend
existing bylaw S7.13.01 as noted below, where new
wording is denoted by underlining and deletions are
denoted by the strike-through font:
S7.13.01. Notice of the time and place of all meetings of the Synod
Assembly shall be published in a synodical publication and
also sent electronically not less than 30 days prior to the
meeting by United States mail to each congregation of this
synod, and each ordained minister, active associate in
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ministry, consecrated deacon or deaconess, commissioned
teacher, and certified or commissioned lay professional and
to each person on the roster of this synod as the roster exists
45 days prior to the meeting.
IV. COMMITTEES AND OTHER ONGOING GROUPS
The Synod Council reviewed the written reports submitted by synod committees, as noted
below.
A. Audit Committee - Mr. Dennis Wieckert, Chair (EXHIBITS 26 and 27; SA EXHIBIT 7). Synod
Treasurer Lee Smith summarized the findings of the audit report contained in EXHIBIT 7 of the
Synod Assembly materials, emphasizing that it was a clean report. The management letter
contained in EXHIBIT 27 noted that the small size of the synod staff necessitates a less than
ideal segregation of financial duties among staff. Dr. Sandra Gustavson explained that the
auditing profession is required to note when there are too few staff to allow financial tasks to be
adequately spread among different people. This problem has existed within the synod office for
many years and has been regularly noted by our auditors. Dr. Gustavson reported that the Audit
Committee has discussed the issue and that discussions will continue during Summer 2013. No
ideal solution exists, though some steps may be possible to mitigate the issue somewhat. It was
then PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.20SC To accept the 2012-13 audit report.
B. Budget and Finance Committee – Rev. John Rossing, Chair (SA Tab E)
C. Campus Ministry Team – Rev. Robb Harrell, Chair (no report)
D. Candidacy Committee – Mr. Bill Grabill, Chair (SA, page C-10)
E. Compensation Guidelines Committee – Rev. Scott Seeke, Chair (SA, page C-14)
F. Consultation Committee (no report)
G. Discipline Committee (no report)
H. Global Mission Committee – Mr. Larry Schultz, Chair (no report)
I. Kessler Scholarship Committee – Rev. Laura Bostrom, Chair. As part of the en bloc motion, it
was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.21KF To approve the following Kessler Scholarship awards
for the 2013-14 academic year:
Chris Smith $3,712
Joyce Kim $3,712
J. Mission Outreach & Renewal Committee – Rev. Laurie Williams, Chair (EXHIBIT 18 and SA,
page C-16). Treasurer Lee Smith and Diaconal Minister Rebecca Kolowé reported that the
Executive Committee had discussed the proposal provided in EXHIBIT 18 regarding the
suspension of monthly loan payments by Community of Grace, Grayson, GA through at least
September 2016. The Executive Committee emphasized its expectation that the loan
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repayments will resume after the suspension period ends. DM Kolowé explained that the
proposal is a compromise between equipping and enabling; totaling cancelling the loan would
not be helpful in encouraging accountability by the congregation. With this background, it was
PROPOSED and the Synod Council
AGREED SC13.05.22LF To:
(1) Approve suspension of monthly repayments and interest accruals on
the Linn Fund loan made to Community of Grace, Grayson, GA through
September 2016.
(2) Approve suspension of monthly payments and interest accruals on the
Linn Fund loan made to Community of Grace, Grayson, GA for as much as
two years beyond September 2016, subject to a review of the congregation
by the Outreach and Renewal Committee during Summer 2016 and a
determination by that Committee that such payments and accruals should
continue to be suspended.
(3) Acknowledge that Community of Grace, Grayson, GA has stated that it
intends to increase its mission support contributions to 5 percent of its
unrestricted offerings over the next three years and that whether or not
such an increase has in fact occurred will be a major consideration in the
Summer 2016 review to be conducted by the Outreach and Renewal
Committee.
(4) Request that the Outreach and Renewal Committee report the findings
of its Summer 2016 review for the September 2016 meeting of the Synod
Council.
K. Mutual Ministry Committee – Mr. Ed Ringer, Convener (no report)
L. Nominating Committee – Ms. Meredith Hendricks (SA Tab D)
M. Personnel Committee – Mr. Michael Franklin, Chair (no report)
N. SMO Allocations Committee – Rev. David Hardy, Chair (no report)
O. Southeastern Lutheran Holding Corporation – Ms. Doris Underwood, President (EXHIBITS
12 and 25)
P. Synod Assembly Committee – Ms. Jan Levengood, Chair
1. Appointment of Assembly Committees (EXHIBIT 29). As part of the en bloc motion, it
was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.23SA To:
(1) Elect the following persons for two-year terms (2013 & 2014) on the
Reference and Counsel Committee:
Rev. Ruth Hamilton, St. Luke, Atlanta, GA (first term)
Ms. Lorraine Whitney, St. Stephen, Decatur, GA (first term)
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(2) Elect the following persons for one-year terms on the following synod
assembly committees as specified:
Credentials Committee
Ms. Carolyn Davis, Living Grace, Tucker, GA (second term)
Rev. Sandra Johnson, Advent, LaGrange, GA (first term)
Ms. Beth Painter, Trinity, Hixson, TN (first term)
Rev. David Smedley, Hope, Ellijay, GA (second term)
Ms. Brenda Wahlig, Christ Our Hope, Riverdale, GA (first term)
Ms. Margery Kellar, Living Grace, Tucker, GA (first term)
Elections Committee
Ms. Sarah Henning, Community of Grace, Grayson, GA (second term)
Rev. Dena Lane, Nativity, Austell, GA (first term)
Dr. Neelie Crooke, First, Nashville, TN (first term)
Ms. Hannah Mitchell, Christ the Lord, Lawrenceville, GA (first term)
Ms. Emmaly Hughes, Ascension, Chattanooga, TN (first term)
Rev. James Lingle, Good Shepherd Maritime Ministry,
Garden City, GA (second term)
Minutes Committee
Rev. Dr. Joy Blaylock, St. Paul’s, Mobile, AL (second term)
Mr. Andy Veren, St. Mark’s, Huntsville, AL (first term)
Rev. Miriam Beecher, Christ Our Shepherd, Peachtree City, GA (first term)
Ms. Mary Winfrey, Atonement, Atlanta, GA (first term)
Mr. Rocky Moore, Cross of Life, Roswell, GA (first term)
Ms. Lisa Burns, Christ the King, Norcross, GA (first term)
(3) Appoint the following persons as consultants during the 2013 Assembly
for the committee noted:
Elections Committee
Rev. J. Howard Mettee, Celebration, Mt. Juliet, TN
Ms. Stephanie Gaines, St. Andrew, Franklin, TN
2. Review of Assembly Agenda (EXHIBITS 31 and 34, SA Tab A, and SA EXHIBIT 6).
Associate in Ministry Michelle Angalet explained that the published synod assembly
agenda provides for five ballots in the election for synod bishop. If there is an election
after only one or two ballots, then the assembly agenda will change to be very similar to
that provided in EXHIBIT 31. Ms. Angalet noted that in this contingency agenda, time is
allotted on Saturday afternoon of the assembly for mission planning conversations.
Voting members will be assigned to one of four rooms for these conversations; the
discussion questions listed on the first page of EXHIBIT 34 will be considered in each of
the four rooms. The following Synod Council members will serve as recorders for the
mission planning conversations: Mr. Hilton Austin, Pastor Terri Stagner-Collier, Pastor
Randy Jones, and Pastor Michael Huntley.
3. Question & Answer Sessions (EXHIBITS 22, 23 & SA EXHIBIT 3). Dr. Sandra Gustavson
reviewed the procedures for conducting the Question and Answer sessions on Saturday
afternoon of the Synod Assembly if there is not an election for bishop after three ballots. In
SC13-35
this situation, Synod Council members will serve as moderators of the Question and
Answer sessions and will organize the questions formulated by Assembly voting members.
Details of the process are documented in EXHIBIT 23; specific Council member
assignments are set forth in EXHIBIT 22.
Q. Worship Ministries Team – Rev. Kevin Strickland, Chair (SA, page C-12)
R. Youth Ministry Team – Ms. Jo Hood, Chair (no report)
V. TASK FORCES
The Synod Council reviewed the written reports submitted by synod task forces, as noted
below.
A. African Descent Strategy Task Force – Dr. Andrea Green, Chair (EXHIBIT 35). As part of the
en bloc motion, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.24TF To extend authorization for the African Descent
Strategy Task Force through September 30, 2013.
B. Death Penalty Information Task Force – Rev. Randy Palm, Chair (no report)
C. Disaster Preparedness and Response Task Force - Rev. Dr. Morgan Gordy, Chair (no report)
D. Immigration Task Force – Rev. Kent Lewis, Chair (no report)
E. Care for the Troops Task Force – Rev. William Flippin, Chair (no report)
F. Health Ministries Task Force – Ms. Connie Pearson, Chair (SA, page C-13)
G. Poverty, Hunger & Justice Task Force – Mr. Jonathan Trapp, Chair (no report)
H. Anti-Racism Task Force – Ms. Cathy Crimi, Chair (SA, page C-11)
I. Stewardship Task Force – Rev. Susan Montgomery, Chair (SA, page C-17)
VI. CONFERENCES & CLUSTERS
A. Reports from Conferences. The Synod Council reviewed the written conference reports that
had been submitted in advance.
1. Ebenezer Conference – Rev. Chip Lingle (no report)
2. Good N.E.W.S. Conference – (no report)
3. Trinity Conference – Mr. John Thomas (no report)
4. Magi Conference – Mr. Keith James (no report)
5. Mission Conference – Rev. Tim Morgan (no report)
SC13-36
6. Life Together Conference – Mr. John Kreis (SA, page C-41)
7. Diaspora Conference – Rev. Randy Jones (no report)
8. The King Conference – Mr. Gary Wicks (no report)
9. Ruach Conference – Rev. Marcia Shumate-Schultz (no report)
B. Cluster Deans – Rev. Jill Henning, Coordinator (no report)
VII. REPORTS OF SYNOD STAFF
Council members reviewed the written staff reports that had been provided in advance.
A. Rev. Paul Summer – Assistant to the Bishop (SA, page B-8)
B. Rev. Darrel Peterson - Assistant to the Bishop (SA, page B-7)
C. Ms. Rachel Alley – Assistant to the Bishop for Young Adult and Youth Ministries (SA, page B-10)
D. Dr. Everett Flanigan – Director for Evangelical Mission (SA, page B-6)
E. DM Rebecca Kolowé – Director for Evangelical Mission (SA, page B-4)
F. AIM Michelle Angalet – Executive Assistant to the Bishop (SA, page B-13)
G. Dr. Sandra Gustavson – Fiscal Advisor (SA, page B-12)
H. Ms. Holly Liersch – Office Manager (no report)
I. Ms. Abby Koning – Lutheran Volunteer Corps Staffer (no report)
VIII. AGENCIES, INSTITUTIONS, and ORGANIZATIONS
A. Presentations to the Synod Council
1. University of Georgia Lutheran Campus Ministry (EXHIBIT 36 and SA, page C-20). As
a special order at 1 pm, the Rev. Phil Harkey explained the history of the Lutheran
Campus Ministry program on the campus of the University of Georgia (UGA), noting that
their current emphases are relationship building and leadership development. Students
are encouraged to attend Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Athens for Sunday worship.
Wednesdays are focused on food, fun, and fellowship. Pastor Harkey encouraged
Council members to send him the names of students attending UGA. Assistant to the
Bishop Rachel Aley noted that she has posted the contacts for all campus ministries on
the synod web site.
B. Written Reports. Synod Council members reviewed the written reports submitted in advance
by the agencies, institutions, and organizations, as noted below:
SC13-37
1. Day 1 (SA, page C-38)
2. ELCA Campus Ministry
a. Atlanta University Campus Ministry (SA, page C-22)
b. Georgia Tech, GA State, Agnes Scott, Emory (SA, page C-21)
c. East Tennessee State Lutheran Campus Ministry (no report)
d. Tyson House, University of Tennessee (SA, page C-18)
3. Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia (SA, page C-39)
4. James R. Crumley, Jr. Archives (SA, page C-23)
5. Lutheran Men in Mission (no report)
6. Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (SA, page C-31)
7. Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta (SA, page C-8)
8. Lutheran Youth Organization (no report)
9. Newberry College (SA, page C-33)
10. NovusWay Ministries (SA, page C-27)
11. Region 9 (SA, page C-29)
12. SESYALL (no report)
13. Social Ministry Organizations:
a. Lutheran Ministries of Alabama (no report)
b. Lutheran Services of Georgia (SA, page C-25)
c. Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi (EXHIBIT 13)
d. Lutheran Services in Tennessee (no report)
e. All Things New Ministry (no report)
f. ALMS (no report)
14. Southeastern Women of the ELCA (SA, page C-15)
IX. PLANNING SESSIONS
A. Roles of Staff, Council, and Assemblies (EXHIBITS 21 and 34). As a special order at
approximately 1:45 p.m., Mr. Hilton Austin led the Synod Council in a discussion focusing on the
SC13-38
roles of conferences, the synod council, assemblies, and the synod staff in building mutual
accountability. Points made during the discussion included:
• Only one or two conferences seem to be functioning well.
• Congregations in conferences that are more geographically dispersed seem to need
each other more. Where congregations are close geographically, there is competition for
members.
• The chair of Conference 6 is very enthusiastic and organized. The challenge is to get
people to come to the meetings. How much the pastors express the importance of the
conference meeting is crucial.
• The problem with conferences is not just one of geography. We must fix the problems if
conferences are going to carry out the governance function that our constitution assigns
to them.
• Conferences may be too inward thinking.
• The problem extends to the congregational level. A pastor’s job constitutionally is to
make sure that the relationship between the congregation, the synod, and the
churchwide organization is strengthened and supported.
• There are two issues. One is governance, which has to be taken seriously. The second
is accountability to one another as members of this church. What do we owe each other
as members of the body of Christ?
• The Directors for Evangelical Mission often speak to congregations about the “3 R’s” of
relevancy, response, and relationship.
• Communication is often not effective at the conference level. Communication is not
reaching lay persons.
• There is often a lack of purpose for going to conference meetings. It might be better to
spend effort focusing on joint efforts and ministry – not just getting together to plan the
next meeting. Focusing solely on conferences is not as helpful as talking about joint
ministries.
• It would be good if every congregation knew that it could count on the church beyond
itself, including not just synod representatives but also neighboring congregations.
People aren’t looking for more activities.
• We are fighting the cultures of individualism and consumerism.
• We can’t assume that everyone has the same idea of what is meant by some terms
(such as spiritual discipline and practice). Little shared cultural language still exists.
• We could invite Mark Allan Powell to an assembly to conduct a series of stewardship
sessions and we could form groups to follow up afterwards.
• The Church is, the Church does what it is, and the Church organizes what it does. But
what the Church “is” may be different now than it used to be.
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• The Church’s role is the same that it has always been. The Church is the Body of
Christ. It invites others to be part of the community of Christ. Might the role of the synod
council be to help congregations carry out their missions better (to embody Christ)?
What have we been focusing on instead and how can we change that?
• The synod staff must be involved with candidacy, the call process, and conflict
management. Its role is to support congregations. Governance is important, but where
do staff, Council members, and assemblies have opportunities to help congregations
embody Christ where they live?
• The role of staff and the Synod Council should be to raise up new leaders.
• It might be good to focus assemblies on one thing, rather than a variety of workshop
choices.
• It is important that candidacy and mobility are handled well, to help avoid other
problems in the future.
• We struggle with congregational collaboration. Pastors should connect the dots
between worship and what is happening in the wider church.
B. The Changing Roles of Synods (EXHIBITS 30 and 37). As a special order at approximately
4:15 pm, Bishop Gordy led the Council in a discussion focusing on the roles of synods. The
bishop provided background information for the discussion by reviewing the report of the
Southeastern Synod’s ministry audit conducted by the churchwide organization in Fall 2007.
Strengths cited at that time included the fact that states in this synod were growing rapidly, there
was increasing racial and ethnic diversity, and much ministry was being done by congregations
and boards. In addition, the synod’s youth ministry programs, Lutheranch, and the Catch the
Spirit program were all cited as strengths.
The biggest challenge cited in the ministry audit was that of connecting. The report concluded
that although geography was an issue, the synod could play a role in helping congregations
connect with each other. A primary need was for the synod to address the sense of isolation
and secondly, to mend relationships.
The bishop asked Council members to reflect on what might be said if a similar ministry audit
were to be done today. Responses included the following:
• The challenges have not changed, but the financial issues are greater.
• Clusters seem to be functioning well in most places.
• It would be helpful if the bishop and assistants would make themselves available to
conferences for two-day sessions, perhaps focusing on leadership development.
• Youthful people will respond more to mission than to tradition.
• There is a continuing challenge with respect to diversity. It is also an opportunity to
reach out to different demographics.
• The Synod staff is responding to what is needed.
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• A focus on the essentials of being the body of Christ will help build a sense of trust and
relationship. We should also highlight what we can only do together. We are making
good progress, but we have to focus and celebrate the essentials.
• There is a good spirit throughout synod, but it is not always communicated well.
In response to an invitation to share his views, Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson offered several
comments, which included the following points:
• All synods are asking the same questions of sustainability and survivability. About half
of the congregations are also doing so. The role of synods is to move the conversation
from survivability to vitality.
• We must look at Sunday worship. Lutherans should learn how to talk about Jesus and
the Holy Spirit.
• Paying for at least one Director for Evangelical Mission in each synod is perhaps the
biggest thing the churchwide organization has done in the past 25 years.
• Because we have six full communion partners, there are new resources available to us.
Sustainability of a congregation is not the end goal – the goal is to bring persons to the
Gospel. We have greater capacity working together, either as multiple congregations or
with our ecumenical partners.
• We are too activity generated, rather than outcome oriented. There has to be a greater
focus on the vitality of congregations.
• Nostalgia is the most dangerous disease within the ELCA.
• Some synods are thinking of themselves as “mission districts,” in which the primary
purpose of the synod is identifying missional leaders, preparing them for a diverse
church, and then supporting them. Synods are struggling with manageable priorities.
• We must start talking to our ecumenical partners about shared oversight. For example,
we might have more bishops but fewer synods. A specific example might be to have
three bishops in the same synod.
• Many congregations need practice in the art of hospitality.
• Within three weeks following the synod assembly, the synod bishop, staff, and perhaps
the vice president should send a letter to congregations describing their priorities for the
next six years. No more than 10 percent of their time should be spent on conflict
resolution. The letter might also state what the expectations of congregations are.
• We must find a way to identify future lay and clergy leaders when they are very young.
C. Accountable Structures. As a special order at approximately 7 pm, Diaconal Minister
Rebecca Kolowé led the Council in a discussion focusing on the development of an accountable
structure within the Southeastern Synod. She began by posing several questions, including:
• How can an accountable structure be developed?
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• Could a covenant agreement be developed between the Synod Council and
congregational councils? Covenants provide a teaching opportunity about the Biblical
narrative.
• Can we do something that captures excitement, rather than putting an emphasis on
legalities?
• How do Synod Council members model what they want to ask of congregations?
• Is it feasible for a community of congregations and synod staff to commit to doing
mission planning as a group over the course of about a year?
During the ensuing discussion, points made included the following:
• Accountability is not law. Congregations may need to be reminded of the mutual
accountability that already exists.
• Perhaps it’s the job of the Synod Council and staff to let people know that there are
resources available to help them talk about what God’s plan for them is in their contexts.
• Can the Synod Council have a conversation with congregational councils who have
made no mission support contributions in many years?
• Deans sometimes meet with congregations that have issues.
• What do Synod Council members do at the conference level? What could they do?
• There is a large question of relevancy. What are the reasons for gathering? Maybe one
reason is to gather despite differences.
• Perhaps a job description could be developed and given to new Council members.
Structures are not in place for implementing the Council’s vision. It’s even more unclear
what at-large members of the Synod Council are supposed to do.
• During the September orientation session for the Synod Council, we could discuss
responsibilities and how that also translates into general expectations of Council
members.
• We should develop a job description for Synod Council members. This information
could be posted on the Synod web site and disseminated by the Nominating Committee
when it is seeking nominees for at-large positions.
• Showing up at congregational celebrations can be considered to be part of the role of
Synod Council members in nurturing congregations.
As the discussion concluded, it was PROPOSED and
AGREED SC13.05.25TF To:
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(1) Appoint a work group to develop a job description for Synod Council
members, with an initial draft to be shared via Google Groups during
Summer 2013 and a final proposal to be considered at the September 2013
Synod Council meeting;
(2) Appoint Synod Council members Mr. Gary Pederson (convener), Dr.
Andrea Green, Ms. Doris Underwood, and Pastor Randy Jones as members
of the work group;
(3) Appoint Diaconal Minister Rebecca Kolowé as the staff liaison to the
work group;
(4) Request that the work group address issues of accountability in its
proposed job description, with specific attention to accountability among
Synod Council members and accountability to congregations and to the
synod staff.
X. FUTURE MEETINGS
A. Synod Master Calendar. It was noted that the synod’s master calendar is available online at
www.elca-ses.org, under the “Synod Information” tab.
B. Synod Council and Assembly Meetings. The list of approved future meeting dates and
locations is as follows:
Synod Council
June 2, 2013 Chattanooga Marriott Hotel, Chattanooga, TN
September 6-7, 2013 Holy Trinity, Marietta, GA
January 17-18, 2014 Resurrection, Marietta, GA
May 29 & June 1, 2014 Chattanooga Marriott Hotel, Chattanooga, TN
September 5-6, 2014 Location to be determined
January 16-17, 2015 Location to be determined
Synod Assembly
May 31-June 2, 2013 Chattanooga Convention Center, Chattanooga, TN
May 30-June 1, 2014 Chattanooga Convention Center, Chattanooga, TN
Churchwide Assembly
August 12-18, 2013 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
XI. QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION WITH BISHOP HANSON
Rather than waiting for questions to be addressed to him during this segment, Presiding Bishop
Mark Hanson asked the Council members to describe the Southeastern Synod six years from
now, in 2019. Responses included:
• Transparency in our partnership of sharing the gospel
• We will be able to nourish a synodical understanding of our shared ministry. When the
next big disagreement surfaces, we won’t leave but will stay together despite our
differences.
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• The 2019 Synod Council will thank this Council for giving them a clear sense of
purpose.
Bishop Hanson then asked how many new congregations will be started in the Southeastern
Synod in the next six years, and requested a description of the leaders of those new
congregations. Council responses included:
• The priority will not be on buildings.
• There will be more missional communities defined by their faith, ecumenically linked,
and younger.
• We hope that all congregations understand what it means to be a mission outpost.
Bishop Hanson concluded by expressing his hope that the Southeastern Synod will have an
effective mission strategy, as well as a plan for developing leadership and support.
XII. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 pm on Thursday, May 30, 2013 with
a prayer by Mr. Kurt Stavely.
