BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE 36TH SYNOD OF THE
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF NEW ZEALAND
18TH – 19TH JUNE 2011
HELD AT ST. PAUL’S WELLINGTON, NZ
WHEN LOVE COMES TO LIFE
as the Father sent me
Saturday 18th June
WELCOME : Pastor Mark Whitfield welcomed the Governor General of NZ, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, Archdeacon Robert McLay, Rev Canon Deborah Broome, Commissioner Donald Bell, LCA reps, all delegates and visitors to this 36th Synod.
OPENING WORSHIP : Led by Pastor Mark Whitfield, who also shared both his and their music group’s talents, President Robert Erickson preached on John 20:19-31. He picked up the theme of Synod: ‘Love comes to Life - as the Father sent me’. Being ‘sent’ is being ‘breathed on’ with the Holy Spirit as instigated by Jesus, is us going out with the good news, to strangers and also people we may know well. The place we are sent is not the focus – it is the love!
SYNOD : Dennis Mollet opened with prayer, followed by a welcome to St Paul’s, Wellington from the Chairman, Bill Viggers.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT : Was presented by President Rob Erickson. ‘Church on the move’ was truly reflected in the changes that have occurred since Synod 2009. He thanked the Pastors who had moved or retired, the many interim Pastors for their service and welcomed the incoming Pastors. He also thanked the Vice President, LCNZ Administrators, the Treasurer and church workers who had concluded their service.
As MISSION DIRECTOR, Pastor Rob spoke to the 5 Strategic Initiatives coming out of the Summit and the preliminary results of the Survey sent out by LSM
He thanked all concerned, suggesting that the dual roles of President and Mission Director can continue to work.
REPORT OF COUNCIL OF SYNOD : Presented by Judy Calder, who in introducing the CoS members, had them incorporate the word ‘love’. She thanked the members for their many hours of voluntary work behind the scenes. Highlights were the growth in Mountainside, the moving of the National Office and the wonderful support from the wider church to Christchurch who is experiencing severe ongoing trauma from the earthquakes. Dennis Mollet commended her for her commitment and fortitude during what have been very challenging times. She concluded by thanking Pastor Rob for his leadership and input.
REPORT OF LUTHERAN SUPPORT MINISTRIES : Pastor David Lipsys’ report was presented by Marg Gust, in his absence. She emphasized that the outgoing committee had encouraged, supported and undergone training to better equip themselves to support the ministry of the Church, that the Survey would provide a clearer direction for the incoming committee as part of their portfolios as per written report.
The question as to why the provision for a paid worker had not yet been taken up was because of the potentially (at the time) unkown location of the LCNZ office and the generous support from Betsy Erickson
LAMP DATABASE : Having introduced her team, Debbie Venz talked us through the LAMP database system which helps streamline administration of personal details of both paid and voluntary church personnel, membership and financial statistics.
GATEWAY GIFT TRUST BOARD : was presented by Chairperson Dennis Mollet and Wayne Drogemuller. From its beginning to 2011 grants of $1.4 million have been made. Much time has been spent in monitoring investments – Judy Calder thanked Dennis for his hard work. He in turn thanked all the Trustees for their dedication. Close monitoring was encouraged, particularly in these tough times. The Financial Advisory Committee is responsible to oversee all Funds and advises CoS accordingly.
STATISTICS REPORT : was presented by Pastor Rob Erickson. It was noted that not all statistics have been received – such reports can only be as accurate as data is received.
LCA BOARD FOR MISSIONS : presented by Glenice Hartwig, touched us all as she told of many people being connected and reconnected to Jesus, through the prayers and financial support of LCA and LCNZ
AUSTRALIAN LUTHERAN WORLD SERVICE REPORT : presented by Jonathon Krause (remember the toilet paper?) spoke of many families/communities being helped in practical ways, together with the Word. ‘I was hungry and you fed me…….
PRESENTATION BY : Pastor Lee Kroehn, Palmerston North, spoke to a slide show about how the disabled community in Hepatha, Sumatra, Indonesia were helped by their congregation, from a visit from a team of 5.
PRESENTATION BY : Jill Hobden, Chairperson Hamilton, shared their Memorandum of Understanding whereby 4 parishes agreeing to work together now have a Pastor.
REPORT OF THE FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE : was presented by David Preston (Chairman) and Wayne Drogemuller. Highlighted was the huge task of relocating the LCNZ offices together with the purchase of a new President’s manse. The committee were thanked for their dedicated work.
REMIT 1 : PROPOSAL TO COMBINE THE LCNZ PRESIDENT’S ROLE WITH A PART TIME PARISH POSITION : Marg Gust spoke to this remit. It was lost.
REMIT 2 : PROPOSAL TO REVIEW LCNZ OFFICE ADMINISTRATION : Dennis Mollet spoke to this remit. Amended to ‘Be it resolved that the office administration, management and financial roles of the LCNZ be reviewed in order to best meet the requirements of the church’, it was carried.
LCA EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT : Trevor Ruthenberg said that the theme ‘Where love comes to life’ was common to all Lutheran churches in Australasia. Despite significant outreach programmes, our LCA church is in decline : we need new maps – strategic initiatives(see LCNZ Pres. report). Three Twenty20 workshops will be held in NZ this year : is God calling you to attend? A Professional Standards’ Unit is being developed. Trevor encouraged us all to be informed, using all available sources.
LCA PRESIDENT’S REPORT : not presented as President Mike Semmler unable to attend Synod.
STOP PRESS! Shared phone call from President Mike on Sunday afternoon! We were asked to pray for all our Pastors, congratulations extended to new President Pastor Mark Whitfield with thanks to retiring President, Pastor Rob, theologians from outside Australia were being brought in to look at ‘How we listen and hear the Word’, and that General Synod would now be in April 2013 to incorporate celebrating 175 years of Lutheran activity in both Queensland and South Australia.
PRESENTATION BY : Mountainside. Pastor Milton Fritsch shared their dream to put a Pastor on the North Shore by 2013, a potential whole church project, as well as their many regular Mountainside activities.
DEVOTIONS : Pastor John Davison led us in a closing devotion on behalf of and for Christchurch, based on Psalm 16, a prayer of comfort – keep us safe Lord.
CONVENTION DINNER, PROJECT CONNECT AND FAREWELL TO PASTOR ROB ERICKSON : Great food and fellowship at a buffet dinner at ‘The Pines’. Jonathon Krause enthused us with his passion for CONNECTing people with Jesus – through user friendly strategies, inviting people to church for fellowship together with food. Look up the long lunch website – grab a ‘bite’ for your congregation!
President Rob Erickson and Betsy were farewelled with grateful thanks and lovely gifts for the service (a lot more than Rob’s iPhone skills and Betsy’s yummy food!) they gave to LCNZ. God bless you both!
Pastor Chris Janetzki led us in a closing prayer.
Sunday 19th June
OPENING DEVOTION : Pastor Milton Fritsch led us in opening prayer.
ELECTION OF LCNZ OFFICERS :
President : Rev Mark Whitfield
Vice President : Rev Milton Fritsch
Treasurer : Wayne Drogemuller
COS – 5 members : Judy Calder
Roxanne Bakke
Dennis Mollet
Katharina Borszik
Gerhard Hoppe
Pastor Member : TBA
Chair of Financial Advisory Committee : David Preston
LSM Pastor member: Rev Lee Kroehn
LSM Committee : Sharolyn Mollet
Mel McKenzie
Simon Lieschke
Administrator (appointed) Diana Fehsenfeld
NEWLY ELECTED LCNZ PRESIDENT : Pastor Milton Fritsch affirmed President Mark Whitfield who in reply invited us all to work together under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
PRESIDENTIAL REPORT – ADDENDUM : Phil Husband’s ordination as SMP is 7August 2011 at Wanganui. Brother Tat Ming Tsui is the new licensed Vicar at Botany.
PRESENTATION BY : Vicar Tat enthusiastically shared Botany’s dreams and plans for the short and long term future, summed up in the one word : NURTURE.
PRESENTATION BY : Georgina Preston from Wellington shared that two of their main outreach activities, Mini Minstrels, (with a new team) and the Bach Cantatas are continuing.
MEMORIAL HYMN : Pastor Mark Whitfield assisted by Pastor Lee Kroehn and Roxanne Bakke led us through singing Autumn Leaves as we remembered those taken home by our Heavenly Father since Synod 2009.
CONVENTION SERVICE WITH HOLY COMMUNION : Pastor Mark Whitfield assisted by the gifted St Pauls’ music team, led us in worship. Pastor Rob Erickson preached from 2Cor.13:11-14, encouraging us to REJOICE, in the midst of the reality of our ‘humanness’ (not the dream), to STRIVE, for peace, to ENCOURAGE, making others bold and to UNITE, being as Christ on the Cross, forgiving those who persecute us, remembering that GOD is the POWER enabling us. United, we spoke together of the grace, the love and the fellowship of the Triune God.
LCNZ BUDGET : Presented by Wayne Drogemuller
A. GGTB Budget 2011
- 2011 budgetted income of $238 800 will be higher than that of 2010
- total expenditure will be $238 702
- Wayne thanked the Board for their investment endeavours
Budget approved
B. LCNZ Budget 2011
- total income : $187 565, expenditure $189 446
A decision reached for presented LCNZ Budget for 2011 to be amended to include actual costs for 2010 – vote by post/email
Motion ‘That future Synodical budgets include the figures for the previous year irrespective of whether the accounts have been audited.’
Motion carried Judy C./Dennis M.
Report adopted
PRESENTATION BY : Pastor Chris Janetzki from Upper Moutere asked us to pray for them, rejoice with them about the manse renovations, the youth group, and to invite Synod there in 2015 to help celebrate 100years!
LLL AGM AND PRESENTATION : Chairman Ahi Allen reported on the work of the LLL. The audited accounts were approved, unqualified this year – yippee! and Gunn and Cotton were retained as Auditors. Ahi thanked Buster Kells for his many years of hard work and accepted his offer for investment advice. Caroline Samsom was elected to replace Buster. The meeting finished with a power point presentation of the ongoing work of the LLL.
PRESENTATION BY : Phil Husband presented a sustainable vision for Wanganui’s Harrison Street Community Church, which enthused us all – we look forward to hearing of their progress at the next Synod!
PRESENTATION BY : Marg Gust introduced a power point presentation by Leanne Whitfield of the 150th celebration – the walk from Wellington to Marton . The walk and celebration were finite – our walk with the Lord continues to future generations.
VOTE OF THANKS : Georgina Preston proposed a vote of thanks to the organizing committee, cleaners, all Wellington people who helped, minute secretaries and EVERYONE who has been involved in the weekend, to make it happen.
CLOSING WORSHIP : Pastor Mark Whitfield led this, based on evening prayer, in which we look to the light of Christ that scatters the darkness, anticipating the great awakening of the resurrection. The incoming President and all other elected officers were installed and Synod was officially closed.
