A Non-Geo Synod:  More Questions

Interview with Randy Freund,

WordAlone Board Member 

 

 

I.C.M. Editor:  In promoting the idea of a Non-Geographic Synod (NGS), is there openness to forming more than one NGS?  For example, this might allow regional groupings of congregations which would, ideally, keep member congregations within driving distance of their synod’s main office.

 

   Randy Freund:  What the NGS becomes or how many there are will be totally driven by and shaped by the congregations that join the Association of Confessing Congregations (ACC).  All I can say is that it is clear that regional connections and organization will be necessary, as we want this to stay grass roots.  The constitutional and organizational questions that must be dealt with should not prevent us from covenanting with each other around a confession of faith, from which we will not waver.

 

 

Is there a target goal for an initial number of founding congregations for a NGS?  

 

   RF:  We’ve have talked about 300 for a number of reasons.  If you take the number of WA congregations (219) and WA “friendly”, or supporting congregations, it seems realistic and would be a “critical mass” (and also the largest synod of the ELCA…  which is significant).  That said, we as a board (especially in light of the Task Force recommendations) believe we must move forward regardless of the number of congregations that will commit to the formation of a NGS.

 

 

How will congregations be supported from the central office of such a NGS?  (ie: when looking for a new pastor, in times of conflict, etc.)

 

   RF:  One of the clear implications of being an “association congregation” has to do with your neighboring congregation (see “A Covenant of Faith” – Implications [available from the WordAlone office]).  While we realize that structural and organizational questions like this will have to be addressed, the ones to answer them are the member congregations of the association.

 

 

How will an ACC or NGS enhance our witness to brothers & sisters in the rest of the ELCA?

 

   RF:  There is a vacuum in terms of leadership and theology within the ELCA.  By making a confession of faith and being and doing work of the church, this move is a witness… and a call to faithfulness.

 

 

How would congregations in a NGS maintain involvement with institutions like our church colleges, etc.?

 

   RF:  Communication and dialogue with partner organizations, colleges and seminaries has begun in informal ways, but is very much a part of future work.

 

 

Randy Freund is a pastor at Faith Lutheran, Hutchinson

 

 

 

 

Editor's Notes:

 

Some Facts about ELCA Synods (per 2005 ELCA Yearbook):

 

                                                                             

                                        Largest          Smallest

                                         Synod         Geographic         Non-Geo  

 

synod name                    N.E. Penn.        Alaska            Slovak Zion       SW MN Synod   

# congregations                 294                  31                     30                      277

 

 

 

Info about the two Non-Geo districts in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS):

1.)  In 1911, the “English District,” had 53 congregations.  At its peak, it had over 500 congregations spread around the country.  Over the years, most of its congregations have transferred to the geographic districts where they are located (Could it have been to be in fellowship with nearby congregations and to be near the support system of the district offices?).  Today, this Non-Geo district has 160 congregations.  For more info, go to www.englishdistrict.org  

 

2.)  The “Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church”  www.selc.lcms.org , has 55 congregations and no full time district staff.