You've probably heard more than once that the word "synod" means "walking together." It means walking together in what we believe (our common faith based on God's inerrant Word as summarized in our Lutheran Confessions) and walking together in what we do (carrying out our God-given mission to take the gospel to all the world). This summer's convention beautifully emphasized the many ways in which both of these aspects of walking together are vital and important in all we do as a synod.

In a number of different ways, the convention emphasized the importance of walking together in what we believe. The devotions, essays, and reports all focused on how the means of grace—the gospel in Word and sacrament—are the focus and foundation of all we do. God's Word shapes our beliefs. It is proclaimed faithfully in pulpits and classrooms and in mission fields. The gospel of Jesus Christ strengthens our faith, unites us as members of God's family, and gives life to the church as the body of Christ. The convention passed resolutions encouraging a synodwide study of these precious truths—truths that sound so basic but that should never be taken for granted. The convention also approved the establishment of a program for continuing education for called workers—not primarily as a means for them to learn new strategies or to develop practical skills, but rather as an encouragement for all called workers to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ through continued study of his Word.

The convention also had much to say about our walking together in what we do. You are aware that some elements of our mission and ministry needed to be curtailed and reduced due to the shortage of funds. At the same time that we made these difficult reductions, we were reminded of the many opportunities that God is placing before us. Those opportunities to share the gospel with more and more people exist in our congregations, in our communities, across the country, and around the world. The difficulties we have faced in our synod's budget should not distract us from the simple facts that the fields are still ripe for the harvest and that God has given us the special privilege of taking his saving message to people who are still lost in their sin.

As we walk together in his Word and in our mission, we have the opportunity in the weeks ahead to recommit ourselves as a synod to faithfulness in both of these areas. When it comes to walking together in his Word, thank God for the pure gospel that is proclaimed every week in your worship. Encourage your pastors and teachers to continue to proclaim that Word faithfully and to defend it zealously. Use your Bibles at home and attend Bible classes at your church. "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom" (Colossians 3:16).

When it comes to walking together in our mission, we also have the opportunity to recommit ourselves to expanding our efforts to reach out with the gospel once again. It's been very encouraging that Congregation Mission Offerings, which had fallen in the first four months of the year, have rebounded during the last four months. This is particularly amazing because the summer months are typically times when congregations struggle to meet their budgets and to keep up with their mission commitments. We pray that this encouraging trend will continue in the months ahead, since fall is a time when most congregations have mission festivals and Walking Together Sundays. As congregations continue to faithfully grow in their support for the work of the synod, we pray that the painful reductions in mission programs and staffing are a thing of the past. We pray that we will once again be blessed with the resources to plant new mission congregations, to expand our efforts in world mission fields, and to provide greater assistance to young people who are preparing for ministry in our schools.

People who walk generally look ahead. As we walk together as a synod, let's look ahead with joy and confidence to the mission that God has given us and with a common trust that he will bless us as we carry out that mission.

Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder