LCA General Synod Reflections
In early October, delegates from the Vic-Tas District joined with others at the LCA 21st General Convention of Synod, held at Concordia College in Adelaide. Presentations were heard, reports were accepted, and business was discussed and voted on. You can read the Popular Report HERE.
Prior to this gathering, a significant amount of work was put into an intense 18-month ‘Way Forward’ journey for our church – a strong and respectful collaboration by people of the LCA with differing views. Many of you likely spent time reading and discussing the various Framework versions as they were released by the Way Forward teams, and you may have joined one of our District’s online or in-person gatherings.
With the adoption at Synod of parts of the Way Forward Framework, many people are processing what this means for them personally and as congregations. It is natural that this may be an uncertain and unsettled time for congregations. Our District Bishop, Pr Lester Priebbenow, recently sent a congregational newsletter reflecting on people’s possible responses and encouraging open and respectful discussions at all levels – you can read the newsletter HERE. Our churchwide Bishop, Pr Paul Smith, has also shared a message with the church that you can read HERE.
We remind people that there are many great mission stories happening all of the time in our District. Some of these are:
- the growing Lutheran school at Tarneit/Mambourin;
- a new fellowship group, ‘Ignite’, at Luther College;
- the realigning of the congregations of Greater Geelong into one “Living Faith” community;
- The mission work with Chinese folks happening at Nunawading/Glen Waverley;
- the Wodonga LCANZ mission grant and its close relationship with Victory Lutheran College;
- South Sudanese ministry.
Many of these have been highlighted in eNews articles this year.
Another great mission initiative is the series of collaborative zooms currently being offered by the LCA Mission Directors. Many members from Victoria attended the last one. Information on the next Zoom is HERE – register soon, and encourage others to join in with you!
In time, there will be more information from the General Church Board and College of Bishops about next steps as a result of decisions made at Synod. Note that nothing needs to happen straight away; rather, it is important to allow time for rest and recovery from the intense time of Synod, time for personal reflection, and time for listening to how it may be affecting others.
For those needing assistance to process any issues, we remind church employees and volunteers that we have access to skilled counsellors though our EAP (Employer assisted Program) providers, ‘Empatia’. More information can be found HERE.
We conclude with excerpts from Bishop Lester’s newsletter:
“Besides our processing of what this means for us, we should not forget that there are always considerations beyond our own. We are part of a wider church-family which includes people who could benefit from our support. …
Some of you will have questions. Please speak to your pastor or church leadership if you do. They probably won’t have all the answers but will be willing to help you as best they can. …
Finally, be gentle with yourselves, as God is gentle with you.”
