COP addresses important issues
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
The Conference of Presidents (COP) held its quarterly face-to-face meeting last week. Here's a recap of the most important matters discussed.
Doctrine and practice
One of the most important roles of the COP is to oversee doctrine (what we believe and teach) and practice (what we do in applying our beliefs). When it met, the COP had a lengthy discussion about the importance of retaining our unity in both areas.
Some congregations, in a desire to reach as many people as possible with the gospel, have been considering some new and different approaches and methods, especially in the areas of worship and outreach. Cautions and concerns have been voiced about some of these trends. Expressing the commitment to maintain our synod's faithfulness to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, the COP concluded that "the underpinnings of 'non-traditional' type of worship cannot be ignored" and that we need to be careful to "walk the 'narrow Lutheran road' between legalism—and ignoring and failing to admonish where practices are contrary to or dangerous to the principles of gospel proclamation and the efficacy of the means of grace."
As a result of this concern, the COP resolved that "an ad hoc committee be convened in consultation with the [COP] doctrine committee that can . . . address this issue and produce a study document that can be shared with circuits and also congregations for study and careful evaluation of practices in worship, sacraments, outreach, organization, music selection, etc."
Convention essays
The theme of the 2009 synod convention will be "Christ's Love, Our Calling." The COP directed that two essays be presented to the convention expanding on this theme. The first essay dealing with Christ's love will focus on the efficacy of the means of grace, in which God conveys his grace to us through Word and sacrament. The second essay, dealing with our calling, will have an emphasis on the many aspects of the Christian's calling, including a focus on the call to faith, the call to proclaim the gospel, the call into the public ministry, and the Christian's vocation. These essays, in keeping with the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Commission, will form the basis for two years of synodwide Bible studies in circuits, conferences, and congregations.
Budget planning for 2009-10
Last November, we received word that financial support from two major sources would be drastically reduced. This required the areas of ministry to revisit their plans for the next two years and to identify areas in which reductions can be made. This also required a delay in the plans of the Synodical Council to adopt a budget at its February meeting. The budget will now be adopted at the April meeting of the Synodical Council. The proposed budget will be built around the priorities established by the 2007 synod convention, but the level of funding available will also mean program cuts in the priority areas of Missions and Ministerial Education. Every effort will be made to make reductions in ways that do not cause long-term harm to the mission and ministry of the synod. We will also be looking at available sources of one-time funding to provide a well-planned transition to the new level of funding.
The Conference of Presidents has the responsibility of funding the mission of the synod. They will continue to encourage congregations to support the work of the synod through Congregation Mission Offerings and by means of participation in an annual Walking Together Sunday. Materials for a 2009 Walking Together service will be mailed to all congregations in early February.
Circuit pastor system
The COP is anticipating the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Commission to find ways to improve and enhance the effectiveness of the circuit pastor system. The COP has already begun to discuss practical ways in which the system can be improved and will continue those discussions in future meetings.
Early childhood education
The COP recognizes the growing need for qualified early childhood education teachers and encouraged Martin Luther College to continue its efforts to increase the number of qualified early childhood education candidates.
Please continue to remember the members of the Conference of Presidents in your prayers. They are God-given leaders who have been entrusted with weighty responsibilities in helping our synod to carry out its mission and to remain faithful to God's Word and the Lutheran Confessions.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
Filed Under: Ad Hoc Commission, Budget, Conference of Presidents, COP, Finance, gift, Synod Convention, Worship, Year of Jubilee
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