If the Lord Wills: A Report on Synodical Planning

by Arnold Drung

In today’s world, whether it be in business or private settings, there is a significant emphasis on planning: business plans, personal plans, budgets, and so forth. There is an oft-quoted axiom that says, “Failure to plan is a plan to fail.” It is also proper for us to do planning in the church. The Bible has many references to planning but with a different perspective.

We remember the words of James 4:13-15: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”

We always remember that our plans are in God’s hands and that He will ultimately decide how those plans go forward. It is with this in mind that Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) Board of Directors has updated Synod’s plans for the balance of the current term.

We always remember that our plans are in God’s hands and that He will ultimately decide how those plans go forward.

By way of background, the Board is responsible for planning the work of LCC. The last time that a formal planning session took place was in 2008, and a number of strategic directions were set at that time. While some work was done around this plan, the Board’s activities became largely consumed with the many crises that arose following 2008 (the global financial crisis and its impact on pension and benefit plans; the situation with Concordia University of Edmonton; and the ABC District Church Extension Fund collapse). More recently, focus was spent on the call for and implementation of Synod restructuring.

It is time for a reset of the planning process. This was started in April of this year when the Board met to review the current state of Synod and to discuss requirements going forward. The Board reiterated key values from 2008—namely, unity, integrity, and discipleship. For the balance of the board’s term, ending in June 2021, five critical targets have been identified.

The first of these is full implementation and nurturing of the new LCC structure. While initial work has been done, this will involve frequent interaction with the Regional Pastors and provision of resources where required. We also want to ensure that key pieces of the former districts’ work are continuing and being done effectively.

Second is the demonstration of financial integrity and solid management by Synod. With the pain of recent events still fresh, it is critical to provide full transparency of Synod financials and confirm that all appropriate processes and governance procedures are in place.

The third critical target is the enhancement of communication and transparency within the Synod. The Board’s communications committee met this summer and is working on an ambitious program to build this function. A key aspect of this is the hiring of a new communications director, who is scheduled to begin work in January 2020.

The fourth target is the completion of Memoranda of Understanding with all organizations that were formed to advance the mission and ministry of LCC, as called for in Synod’s bylaws. This is to ensure that relationships are clear and mechanisms are in place to avoid situations like that which happened with Concordia University of Edmonton where, despite the long-standing history and affiliation of the college with the Synod, LCC had no ability to influence the long-term direction of the organization.

The fifth target is to facilitate the availability of best practices and resources for all regions and congregations across the country. We have many excellent resources available throughout our church and we have an opportunity to ensure that they are available broadly across LCC. This will help with efficiency and avoid unnecessary cost and duplication.

The Board is also updating governance protocols and documentation to reflect the new structure. Future Board activity will be expected to comply with these standards.

In addition to these activities, the Board will continue to encourage and support the work of the seminaries as well as ongoing efforts in the area of youth and young adult ministry.

We undertake all these things remembering that they are done under God’s care and direction “as the Lord wills.”

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Arnold Drung is Chair of Lutheran Church–Canada’s Board of Directors.

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