Ad Hoc Commission reports to SC
Filed Under: Ad Hoc Commission, SC, Synodical Council
The Ad Hoc Commission—established by the 2007 WELS synod convention—presented its initial report to the Synodical Council (SC) at its meeting in Milwaukee, Wis., on Friday and Saturday. The commission is working to analyze the synod's problems and to develop comprehensive recommendations to address them.
The report—presented by Rev. Joel Voss, chairman of the commission—broadly outlined ten areas in which it will ultimately make recommendations:
- The synod's mission
- Commitment to expand mission efforts
- Accountability
- Efficiency
- Communication
- Transparency and clarity (especially of financial information)
- Program priorities
- Stewardship
- Doctrine and spiritual issues
- Constituent input
Voss says the report to the SC had to be short on specifics because so many issues are intertwined. The commission wanted the discussion to center on the "big picture" rather than the details. Voss adds the commission didn't want to get "locked in" to recommendations that may change as it considers additional input between now and the district conventions in June.
The commission is officially supporting various initiatives underway at the synodical level including the development of a comprehensive communication strategy, a budgeting process based on ministry program priorities, and an initiative to encourage the SC to study itself in regard to its size and efficiency.
Voss says in meetings before the district conventions, the Ad Hoc Commission will draft more specific recommendations, at which point the majority of its work will be complete. It will then take input from the conventions, make revisions, and then present a formal report for approval by the 2009 synod convention.
Voss requests the prayers of the synod as the commission continues its work. He welcomes anyone with input to e-mail him at: revjrvoss@aol.com
