LCC Restructuring: Nine Insights on the Survey for Discussion

Editor’s Note: The following is a series of insights into the results from the national survey on restructuring. Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure (CCMS) offers the results to inform discussion on the restructuring process going forward. To read the results of the survey (including all comments and a more detailed analysis of the results), please see “Restructuring Update: Survey Results Released.”

Based on the survey results regarding the restructuring of LCC, which support a major overhaul of our structure, the CCMS and LCC Board of Directors are offering the following points for discussion and information as a means of receiving additional input from the members of LCC to the CCMS and Board of Directors of the Synod:

1. The Survey gave clear indication that the respondents favour dissolving the Districts and restructuring the Synod to function with one Administrative structure, including the possibility of restructuring the circuits/regions geographically.
2. The Survey indicated that the District CEFs ought to be merged into one Synodical CEF subject to legal review.
3. The Survey respondents reaffirmed our practice that each congregation of Synod may cast two votes at a Convention (currently at District Conventions). The two votes are to be cast as follows: one vote to be cast by ONE OF ITS ROSTERED CHURCH-WORKERS, and ONE TO BE CAST BY A LAY PERSON. If the Districts are dissolved as indicated above, then the majority of Survey respondents were in favour of having every congregation in LCC be represented in this manner at subsequent National Conventions.
4. The Survey showed that a majority of the respondents preferred having the Synodical Presidency divided into two separate positions: “Spiritual Leader” and “Administrator”.
5. The CCMS with the support of the Board of Directors of LCC would like to have a discussion across Canada by groups to explore the options for the title for the “Spiritual Leader.” Note: A large majority of lay people preferred “President” and a large majority of the clergy preferred “Bishop”.
6. Although restructuring the training of deacons was shown to be a high priority for Survey respondents, it must be noted that the Board of Directors of LCC are currently involved in extensive discussions, consultations, and decision making regarding that restructuring and so any helpful ideas will be passed on directly to them. Any restructuring in this area will come about as a result of the Board of Directors action.
7. The question of the Seminaries was answered at the 2011 Synodical Convention where the direction was given to the Board of Directors by the Convention to implement a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Seminaries which would facilitate more cooperation and financial savings. This has been done, is in effect, and has resulted in financial savings, significant growth in the number of young men entering the Seminaries and an improved common curriculum between the Seminaries.
8. The Survey indicated that respondents wanted a clarification of the relationship between the Lutheran Church-Canada and Concordia University of Edmonton. That clarification is currently being prepared by the Board of Directors and will be made available to the church at large in the near future.
9. The relationship between Lutheran Church-Canada and Canadian Lutheran World Relief is also being clarified and established by the Board of Directors of LCC at this time. Once the shape of this relationship is firmed up, the Board will communicate that relationship to the whole church.

The CCMS invites you to attend, arrange, or request  a discussion group in your congregation or area.  Please ask your pastor  or circuit counsellor for the date and location of a discussion in your area or for assistance in arranging a discussion group that you can attend. At the end of June the CCMS will make recommendations based on the survey and these Canada-wide discussions.

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