The Synodical Council (SC) met last week to begin the task of crafting a long-range, comprehensive plan that will guide the synod in its work during the next 8-10 years. The synod's bylaws assign this responsibility to the SC, and last summer's convention directed that the SC begin the work, present a progress report to the districts next summer, and bring a final plan to the 2011 convention for adoption.
As might be expected, the planning session began with a lengthy study of Scripture and the theological truths in which our synod is grounded. This Word-centered discussion highlighted the unity of faith and belief with which God has blessed our synod and its leaders. From that beginning, the SC discussed the nature and purpose of the synod. While it is true that we can think of the synod as a large family of individual believers, we can also view the synod as an organization established to carry out a specific function. The SC determined that the long-range plan will focus on the latter aspect and adopted the following as a statement of purpose that will guide the planning work:
