ABC District calls for restructuring Synod, President Schiemann gives final report

Delegates at the 2015 ABC District Convention.

CALGARY – On May 23, delegates to the 2015 ABC District Convention adopted a resolution calling for the restructuring of Lutheran Church–Canada. Resolution 2015-01-05A, “To petition Synod for an immediate review and implementation of a new synodical structure,”

2015-01-05A “To petition Synod for an immediate review and implementation of a new synodical structure,” was adopted overwhelmingly. In adopting the resolution, delegates noted that “both the Central and East Districts in their respective conventions have requested the Synod to conduct a thorough review of the structure of LCC and its Districts.” The motion as adopted resolves “that District Convention petition Synod’s Board of Directors and Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure for an immediate review and recommendation of a new synodical structure,” and requests the CCMS to present a new synodical structure to the 2017 Synodical Convention “for approval and subsequent implementation.”

The convention also adopted a resolution offering to give the Lutheran Historical Institute (LHI) to Lutheran Church–Canada (Resolution 2015-01-02A), pending approval from the Monitor and Chief Restructuring Officer (both of which were reported during discussion to have expressed support for the transfer). The East District at its convention earlier in May also passed a resolution supporting recognizing LHI “as the Official Archives of Lutheran Church-Canada.”

Another resolution adopted by the convention on May 23 was Resolution 2015-01-01, “To support the work being done by Canadian Lutheran World Relief among refugees and internally displaced people,” which passed unanimously. The resolution begins by noting that 51.2 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced. It calls on LCC members and congregations in Alberta and British Columbia “to financially support CLWR’s refugee efforts both internationally and domestically,” and encourages “congregations and/or individuals, working through CLWR… to sponsor refugees utilizing initiatives like those provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada called Blended Visa Office Referred (BVOR) or Visa Office Referred (VOR).”

Two remaining resolutions adopted by the convention on May 23 were primarily housekeeping in nature: 2015-01-07 “To amend the bylaws of the Alberta-British Columbia District with respect to election of members to the Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Board of Governors,” and Resolution 2015-01-08, “To amend the bylaws of the Alberta-British Columbia District with respect to the role of the Board of Directors and some minor changes.”

President Donald Schiemann gives final President’s Report

President Donald Schiemann addresses delegates during the 2015 ABC District Convention.

President Donald Schiemann gave his president’s report to the convention in the afternoon on May 23. It was in many ways an expression of grief over the CEF/DIL crisis. The situation isn’t, he said, abstract for him. “I can easily put faces and names” to those suffering, he said, breaking down more than once as he spoke.

“To say it breaks my heart would be an understatement,” he continued. “I tell you I am so sorry for the way this crisis has hurt so many people, and the hurt and pain it has caused.”

“This is a watershed moment for our church,” he also said of the crisis. “This is a critical and decisive turning point.” But what will it be a turning point to, he asked? District and Synod may restructure in the years to come, he noted, but this must not become merely a “shuffling of chairs on the deck of a sinking ship.”

The theme for this convention—“Pray for the harvest” (Luke 10:2)—was chosen long before the current crisis, he noted. But it reminds us of the Church’s call to always reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There may be many challenges facing the Church in Canada today, he said, but this is where God has placed us. The mission of Gospel proclamation remains regardless of the circumstances.

Near the end of his report, President Schiemann noted that fifteen years ago when he was first elected District President he never expected to be leaving office in the midst of such heartache in the District. “But I do know that Christ the Prince of Peace can heal hurt,” he said, breaking down again. “Our heavenly Father opens wide His heart for the sake of His own Son, and He invites us to come to Him for forgiveness, for life, and for salvation. And it is through Christ that broken hearts are healed.”

———————

Print this article