Dear members of our ELCSA (N-T)
Participants of Synod
As members of Synod we greet you with a watchword from Genesis 1:3 “God saw all that he had made, and it WAS very good.” This Biblical statement was used as text for the theme of this year’s Synod: “Our responsibility in God’s creation.” Prayers, songs, hymns, sermons, devotions and discussions focussed on our earth - God’s creation - and the church’s response to the environmental and climatic challenges that face our world. Bishop Geoff Davies from the Anglican Church inspired and encouraged our Synod to focus on the issues of social and ecological justice, as the present injustices seriously impact on the exploitation of essential resources world-wide. “As people of faith we believe we have a responsibility to God and future generations to care for this planet - our home” - this sentence forms part of a statement our Synod adopted in support of a resolution that will represent the voice of faith-communities at the international conference on climate change in Denmark this year. Bishop Geoff Davies emphasized that a lot of small steps were necessary to reach a greater goal. Synod discussed his presentation and worked towards suggestions for “eco-congregations.” As members of synod we endeavour to report to you in far greater detail on the content and plans of action that came out of these discussions when we return to our congregations.
Bishop Dieter Lilje presented to Synod his report on the work of Church Council. This report once again highlighted his concern for Lutherans to determine and define their identity, with a special reference to a previous synod’s (2005) topic “Set free for freedom.” In concluding his report he urged our church never to forget the youth, but to ensure that they are integrated on all levels of congregational work. Many visitors to Synod, guests and members expressed their thanks to Bishop Dieter Lilje for his candid leadership over 18 years of service as a bishop.
Synod was tasked to elect his successor; 5 candidates were presented to Synod and Pastor Horst Müller was duly elected. Synod also elected a deputy to the bishop and an alternate. Bishop Dieter Lilje expressed his gratitude for this election and for the way it had been carried both practically and in prayer. He prayed for God’s blessing on the leadership of Pastor Horst Müller and appealed that Synod and Church support him in every possible way. Pastor Horst Müller accepted his election “with the help of God,” expressed his gratitude for the trust invested in him and pledged to become an instrument of God’s peace and grace in the work of our church. Pastor Horst Müller will assume office after handover has been completed during the beginning of the new year. Synod elected as deputy to the bishop Pastor Brand, Dean Theo Jäckel being the alternate.
Synod was introduced at length to the document on “Understanding Scripture” as prepared by the Extended Theological Study Commission of our church. Church Council proposed that this document be accepted as a position-paper of our church, which Synod did by a majority vote.
Other matters which synod discussed included:
- The finances of our church, which were found to be in a healthy state. Church Council expressed its gratitude for the congregations’ support and giving. Synod accepted unanimously the budgets for 2010 and 2011, which both include an 7,4% increase. A very special word of thanks was expressed by the Mission Committee for the sacrificial financial support it had received and still receives from our congregations for its work of training, outreach and discipleship.
- The extension of a pastoral contract within a congregation beyond 12 years was discussed. As this was a matter of controversy the broader issues around this law were referred for further consultation with all stakeholders.
- Reports were presented to Synod by various organisations within the church; these were discussed and accepted. These reports portrayed a colourful picture of activities, missions and projects within our church. Synod was excited by this beauty.
- In this context an appeal was expressed to congregations to encourage young people to consider a career as pastors of our church.
- An appeal was also made to support the Deutsche Schule Hermannsburg, by sending children of our congregations to this school and in this way also support an important teaching instrument of our church.
As members of Synod we want to celebrate the closing service of synod with the induction of the new office bearers. We experienced God’ Spirit in the many deliberations of our meeting and gratefully look forward to be reunited with you soon, to share with you what we have learnt, discussed and experienced.
May the Triune God bless his church according to the wealth of his grace.
Many visitors and partners attended Synod and imparted the greetings of their constituencies, all of them expressing their good and cordial working-relationship, even friendship with the incumbent bishop, Dieter Lilje.
The General Secretary of ELCSA, Rev. Mathe, concurred in his word of greeting with the sentiments of bishop Dieter Lilje that he was looking forward to the introduction of a United Church Council for ELCSA, ELCSA-Cape, and ELCSA (N-T), which he was sure, would be established by the beginning of 2010.
Dr. Claudio Steinert represented the Hermannsburg Mission Society and reminded Synod about the strong links that exist between the Mission, its history and the ELCSA (N-T).
Bishop Nils Rohwer from ELCSA-Cape and the presiding bishop of UELCSA strongly suggested that in the debate around a greater global and ecological responsibility a Bill of Duties needed to compliment the present Bill of Rights. Rights were meaningless, even destructive, if not accompanied by a culture of responsibility.
Dr. Ruth Gütter imparted greetings from EKD (Evangelical Church in Germany), and encouraged ELCSA (N-T), and all churches for that matter, to ask those questions others fail to ask and shrink away from asking. Issues concerning reconciliation, the care for nature and the world, the upliftment of the impoverished - these are truly matters of and for the church. She praised the good, constructive and ongoing relations between EKD and ELCSA (N-T) - a partnership which EKD was determined to support and be in solidarity with.
Dr. A. Moyo, Executive Director of LUCSA, reminded Synod that our world was in need of healing. He expressed his gratitude for ELCSA (N-T)’s involvement in representing a Lutheran voice in our region.
Bishop Erich Hertel from ELCIN (GELC) in Namibia pointed out the commonalities to be found between the two Churches in their traditions, structures and expression of faith. He also reported about the bold step of his church to introduce two positions for youth-workers, and that they were actively fundraising in order to afford this necessity.
Dr. Gerber, who represented the Dutch Reformed Church, blessed our Synod and emphasized the joint roots of our churches in a tradition, history and theology of the Reformation. He was thankful for ELCSA (N-T)’s participation at the discussion forum, Conventus, and the joint declaration that was published as a result thereof.
Dr. Dieter Reinstorff’s word of greeting was met with applause, as he extended a hand of friendship to the ELCSA (N-T).