2010 Northwest Washington Synod Assembly

News, Friday May 14

Report of the Churchwide Representative

The Rev. Ruben Duran, Director for New Evangelizing Congregations, Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission

The Rev. Ruben Duran spoke to the Assembly on May 14, 2010 to remind us why we are Lutheran and why we have much to celebrate. First, he thanked the Rev. Jerry Buss, Director for Evangelical Mission, and our Bishop, the Rev. Wm Chris Boerger, for their work to increase "missional traffic" in our synod. He then spoke of the many ways God is using us in domestic and global scenes.

  • Book of Faith Initiative - helps us to become proficient in the first language of faith, the Holy Scriptures.
  • Mission Support that occurs in our congregations, synods, and churchwide, makes us "one church".
  • Living into the Future Together - evaluates if our work as an organization makes the most of our community wisdom.
  • Global Mission - makes Disciples of Christ through the work of missionaries, scholarships, grants and our relationships with companion synods.
  • Lutheran Malaria Initiative - will aid those who are affected by malaria.
  • HIV/AIDS Strategy - will assist in finding a cure for HIV/AIDS.
  • 2009 Churchwide - decisions on shared communion with United Methodists and on human sexuality move us forward.
  • Mission Investment Fund - funds mission starts.
  • Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service - serving God's children worldwide.
  • Multicultural Ministry - creating disciples.
  • Youth and Young Adult Initiatives help us reach the next generation of Lutherans.
  • The Lutheran and Communications- sharing our stories and the Good News.

Together we are the ELCA, living out the motto "God's Work, Our Hands".

Rev. Ruben observed that we feel like we are in a climate of defeat, but from God's perspective, the future is bright. Looking at past membership trends we see that our church membership peaked at two points in history: increase in immigration and baby boomers. What does this tell us about where our new church members might come from?

Ethnic ministries are a means to an end - a multicultural church. We rely on the strength and warmth of our theological heritage. The ELCA is changing. We were "called, gathered and nourished", now we are "called, gathered and sent". We must go out into God's world with the eyes of exploration. Our priorities need to be growing our evangelical center and building capacity for justice. Evangelical hospitality and justice are two sides of the same coin.

Bishop Boerger's Report

Bishop Wm Chris Boerger gave his report to the 2010 Northwest Washington Synod Assembly. A few points from his report were:

  • Of the 105 congregations in our Synod, 29 congregations are growing in average worship attendance which is good news. Nineteen congregations are stable or they have not filed their congregational reports. The remaining 57 congregations are declining, some to critical levels. For some it may be because of a complacent attitude.
  • Roughly 70% of our active clergy are over the age of 50. We knew this was coming, but it is approaching faster that we thought. This is reflecting a national trend.
  • Social Statements are meant to be used as ‘teaching documents'. The draft of the Statement on Genetics is now available and comments on this statement may be filed until October 31 this year. We need to be intentional how we use all our Social Statements, using them as methods for discussion and as a way to learn how to live in society now.
  • Our synod currently has 49 people actively engaged in candidacy. This is a high number for a synod our size.
  • We have the fewest number of congregations in the call process at this time. We have many Interim Pastors dedicated to serving congregational transitions who are now without calls.
  • The Bishop's Award recognized St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Renton for the outreach to Grace Chinese Ministry and Luther's Place among other things.

Bishop's presentation: PowerPoint 2478 KB or PDF 2762 KB

Opening Worship

All Are Welcome

In our opening worship of the 2010 Northwest Washington Synod Assembly, songs and words of hospitality welcomed the Assembly. The proclamation that "All Are Welcome" from the opening hymn was reflected in the readings. In Genesis 18:1-5 Abraham and Sarah welcome three guests to their tent, and in Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus welcomes Jesus into his home. In his sermon, the Rev. Jerry Buss, Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop, asked if we in our congregations ask ourselves the question raised by the Genesis reading - will there be new birth, a future for our congregations that are challenged by declining numbers? Should we think about how can we improve our hospitality to visitors who walk through our doors? We are invited to follow Abraham's example to listen to our guests and to see what they have to offer us. Those who visit our congregations - and those just outside the doors - come not only to be served by congregations, but to bring new possibilities to congregations. "There is" the Rev. Buss said, "such promise, such gift, such wonder, such new life that God is sending our way!" Then the challenge is for congregations to be open to what new birth brings with it. Will we abandon "new life" because the change brought with it is too difficult for us? This is "the impossible" made possible through God and the visitor he sent us - his Son, Christ.

Attendance Friday, 11am

100 ordained clergy, 221 lay voting, 5 observers, 45 visitors