Bishop's E-Message for October 2007

Peace and patience in the parishes, please. Let's grant that we are living through a time of turmoil in our Church. The turmoil expresses itself in each face of the Church - nationally, synodically, congregationally, and individually. Sometimes it gets expressed in words and behaviors not befitting members of the Body of Christ. Someone commented to me recently (possibly with tongue in cheek) that some of the behaviors we see in church would never be tolerated on the job, in the community league, on the playground, or anywhere else. Additionally, we face the dilemmas of many pastoral vacancies and a dearth of pastors to fill those vacancies, which increases the sense of uncertainty. By the grace of God, and with the Synod's gratitude, many of our retired pastors have stepped forward to fill the breach through interim service. Always - but especially in times of turmoil and uncertainty - we need to practice the presence of Jesus with each other. We need to practice gentleness and reverence. Let us heed the counsel of St. Paul to the Romans: "Let us then pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding" (14.19), and, "if it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (12.18). Peace and patience in the parishes, please.

+Ronald B. Mayan, Bishop
Synod of Alberta and the Territories
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Report from
SYNOD CONSULTATION
July 23, 2007 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Red Deer

The day began with worship from the New Worship book. Bishop Mayan emphasized that the discussion for the day was to be towards looking for the “way forward” for our Synod.

Bishop Mayan presented his summary of highlights from the National Church Convention in Winnipeg, June 2007:

1. Full communion with the Anglican Church allows exchange of ministers for congregations
2. Delegates will be funded on a per capita basis
3. In Mission for Others is a 10 year statement of intent
4. To maintain the integrity of creation, a “green church” will be promoted
5. Susan Johnson was elected as the new national bishop on the 6th ballot
6. “Rostered” clergy will include ordained pastors and diaconical leaders
7. Motion 22 re developing ways to minister to people in committed same sex relationships including blessing, was defeated 54% against.  The 1970 motion stands as the official position of the ELCIC.
8. A second motion re support of gay and lesbian people and their families was passed.
9. Others who attended the Convention expressed concerns were expressed re rules of order followed during the convention.

The Victoria Matthews, the Anglican Bishop from Edmonton shared highlights from the Anglican Church Convention also held in Winnipeg June 2007. Anglicans also are determining how to minister to gay and lesbian people.

1. Canadian Church would not accept orders from the larger church but desires to remain in communion with the larger church and continue discussions
2. This is seen as a doctrinal issue of a lesser order, not contrary to doctrine about God, and should not be church splitting.
3. The Anglican church is looking at drafting changes to their Marriage Canon

Phil Hink presented results from a questionnaire to which all congregations were invited to respond at the end of June. Italics indicate top most common responses from the 30% of congregations that replied.

1. Describe who you are as a congregation, and – on a scale of 1-10, with 1 meaning “not very important” and  10 meaning extremely important --  what role Scripture and the Confessions play in defining your mission.

                                    Scripture             Confessions
            Rostered            9.2                        8.5
            Lay members            9.5                        8.8
                        Question: how aware are lay people of the contents of Scripture and of the Lutheran Confessions?

1. Name your three greatest fears (in order of priority) for the future of the ABT Synod and the National Church?

            Lack of vision
            Lack of Biblical knowledge
            Compromising the Word to meet societal expectations, revisionist movement on the interpretation of scripture
            Division among and loss of congregations, individuals and rostered pastors
            Stress causing loss of lay and clergy leadership
            Being reactive instead of proactive
            Declining membership
            Small congregations no longer having resources to support the church’s large mission
           
3.            Name your three greatest hopes (in order of priority) for the future of the ABT Synod and the National Church?
           
            Move on, get beyond single issue
            Move to growth, joy, spiritual awareness
            Equip members for discipleship
            Proclaim the Gospel to a world in need
            Increase Ecumenical relationships, mutual support
            Leadership and minister recruitment
            Bring healing to congregations and professional workers, how to minister to and support Clergy
            Unity
            Have contagious fun as a church in mission to others

4.            How does your congregation reach out to others and make them feel welcome and included?

            We are poor at reaching out and welcoming
            One to one contact works best
            Statement of welcome
            Open church to community groups
            Congregation involved in the community, supporting local programs
            Welcome package for visitors
            User friendly worship

5.            What social issues (in order of priority) should be on the Church’s agenda?

            Environment
            Homelessness
            Poverty: local and global
            Family breakdown:            
                        -strong pulls away from family time for activities and discussion
                        -youth place in the church
                        -passing on the faith to next generation
            Affordable housing
            Hunger

6.            What effect has the same-sex issue had on your congregational life?
                        Hurt, mistrust of leadership, sorrow
                        Division: loss of and lack of fellowship, a cloud hanging over
                        Good conversation and Bible studies
                        Wasted time and resources
                        Some have left or may be leaving
                        Inhibited outreach ministry
                        Become more deliberate in welcoming visitors
                        Non-issue, no effect

Time was taken in small groups to discuss: what was a surprise in the survey response, what the survey confirmed, and what the implications might be.

The afternoon sessions were discussions based on around “Plotting a Path Forward for the ABT Synod”.  Small groups addressed the questions of: whether to form a task force on marriage, family and human sexuality? Does the church continue to work together as synod? What will define the mission of the church?

Bishop Mayan proposed a “Task Force on Marriage, Family and Human Sexuality” who, directed by this information, will discern what this means for our congregations and synod at this time.  Other outcomes might be:

1. An all-inclusive statement of welcome to all of those marginalized within our specific Alberta culture that could be commended to our congregations for use;
2. A blueprint for a long-term way forward on these thorny issues that we can all live with; and
3. A recommendation on how to introduce the Canadian hybrid of the ELCA Human Sexuality Study - Part Three in our synodical context.

They will report back to us at the next synod convention in June, 2008.

While the Task Force is doing its work, we in this Synod maintain the status quo in terms of the policies, practices and protocols relating to marriage, family and sexuality.

The motion to form this task force was accepted with reservations.

There was general agreement that congregations desired to continue working together as synod faithful to its teachings.

The areas small groups saw as priorities for the Synod in Mission for Others could be summarized under the headings of

1. developing Biblical literacy among members,
2. equipping members for ministry,
3. passing on the faith, and
4. facilitating parish programs.

The day finished with a celebration of the Eucharist.

Beth Olver, All Saints Lutheran Church delegate to the synod consultation July 23.