Oct. 9 Cluster Meeting Notes

Rosanna Cartwright and I attended the Cluster meeting on Oct 9 at Emanuel Church in Moscow. This meeting was to go over what will take place in the process of the Bishop call. With us in the process of a pastor call we really felt it necessary to see how this could affect us. There were 9 people in attendance representing 6 churches of the Palouse. Both of us found the meeting quite enlightening and interesting. It is always nice to meet with other people that are having some of the similar struggles we are having.
The next meeting is scheduled for Nov 20 at Emanuel in Moscow 4-6, they are hoping to get more people at the next meeting. it would be nice to see between 3 and 4 people there to represent out congregation. Nominations for Bishops will be done at that time.

Cluster Meeting Agenda- Information & Conversations on the Bishop’s Election

AGENDA

Conference/Cluster Meetings

A Conversation Regarding the Election of a Synod Bishop

Welcome/Purpose of Gathering

• Introductions
• Agenda and timeline for meeting
• Election of a synod bishop: discernment and call process

Worship and Bible Study/Dwelling in the Word

• Devotion/Opening Prayer
• Leading God’s People – Part 1
• 1. Leader: Exodus 18: 1-12
• 2. Table group discussion: Exodus 18: 13-2
• Discussion questions:
• What attributes or qualities are needed by God’s people?
• What challenges will leaders face?
• What is God saying about the gifts needed in a leader?

3. Reports from table groups and discussion

Overview of Bishop Election Process

• Explanation of governing document provisions
• Explanation of timetable, if there will be a pre-assembly nomination process

The Synod We Are

• Overview of Research and Evaluation reports and data
• What is a synod?

1. Working definition: “to walk alongside” or “to accompany”

2. ELCA Constitutional provisions

• ELCA Synod constitutional provisions S8.11, S8.12, S9.04
• Constitution for Synods, Chapter 6

3. Synod mission statement/strategic plan

• Appoint a Scribe to record discussion’s key points.
• Table group discussions

1. Discussion questions:

• hat are we able to do better as a synod and congregations working together for the sake of Christ’s mission than as individual congregations?
• Considering the definition and responsibilities of a synod and this synod’s mission statement and strategic plan, what has the synod done well and what has it done not so well in the last six years?
• What should be the primary priorities for synod ministry in the next six years?
• What should congregations in the synod expect of the synod’s bishop in the next six years?
• What should the synod's bishop expect of congregations in the synod in the next six years?

2. Reports from table groups and discussion

 

The Bishop We Seek

• Overview of responsibilities of the bishop (+S8.12)
• Table group discussions

1. Discussion question:

• In light of the Bible study and discussion today, what are the spiritual gifts and leadership attributes that are the most important for a bishop in this synod in the next six years?

2. Reports from table groups and discussion

 

Concluding Comments/Invitation to Congregational Conversations

 

Closing Prayer

                                                    Palouse Cluster Responses:

 

!. What are we able to do better as a synod and congregations working together for the sake of Christ’s mission than as individual congregations?

• Resourcing of ideas (share ideas so that we don’t re-invent the wheel)
• As congregations have fewer and fewer resources on their own, it becomes more important to share resources amongst each other
• Work together more
• Connections made at Synod Assembly are energizing
• Ideas for ministry shared at Synod Assembly – “Synod Shorts”
• Combined youth events and other events
• Education – seminaries, colleges, campus ministry, LCSNW
• Together do synod-make it stronger
• Strengthen congregations
1. Considering the definition and responsibilities of a synod and this synod’s mission statement and strategic plan, what has the synod done well and what has it done not so well in the last six years?
• Done well
1. Net-worker idea
2. Transformation – asked hard questions/try something new
3. All are welcomeFriendly synod – we like one another
4. Relationship building
5. Synod Assemblies (fellowship, getting together, workshops, worship)

• Things done not so well
• Communication with congregations
• Clusters not functioning
• Not capitalizing on friendliness and relationship building
• Costly Synod Assemblies

3. What should be the primary priorities for synod ministry in the next six years?
• Robust conversations about what is happening in congregations
• Get reconnected with the congregations
• Strengthen congregations
• Strengthen the relationships between ministries of the synod
• Encourage partnership
• We are decreasing in numbers, and we need each other
4. What should congregations in the synod expect of the synod’s bishop in the next six years?
• Communicator
• Pastoral care to congregations—bishop visit each congregation and listen (and/or Skype, etc.)
• To challenge us to do better and hold us accountable
• Give guidance
• Teach, give resources—hold us accountable
• Take 2 years to intentionally to plan strategically
• Visionary
• Entrepreneurial
• Willingness to look outside the box
5. What should the synod's bishop expect of congregations in the synod in the next six years?
• Engagement with synodical ministries
• Prayer
• Willingness to be disciples, apostles, and evangelists
• Be welcoming/intentionally inviting
• Holy hilarity
6. In light of the Bible study and discussion today, what are the spiritual gifts and leadership attributes that are the most important for a bishop in this synod in the next six years?
• Really, really connected to God
• Spiritual leader
• Relational, listening healer
• Sharing of leadership
• Delegating
• Humility
• Discernment