Serving God’s people is a challenge and a blessing

Picture a major organization with a head office, three regional offices, 319 affiliates and three high-level training facilities looking for people to provide informed, expert, skilled leadership. Although a paid staff handle day-to-day operations, the direction and oversight comes from volunteers. The organization is a major distributor of God’s eternal gifts of salvation and forgiveness. This is Lutheran Church–Canada—your church entrusted with God’s mission—and currently seeking leadership volunteers.

During next year’s Synodical Convention in Hamilton, Ontario, delegates will need to elect 18 people to serve on the church’s various boards and commissions, including the Board of Directors.

“When I was first elected to the Board of Directors, I had no idea our church was involved in so many different areas,” admitted Randy Stefan, now chairman of the board. Mr. Stefan (Grace, Regina), a chartered accountant and business owner is completing the second of two six-year terms on the board. “There are two qualities that impress me about people who serve on LCC’s boards and commissions,” he says. “First is their commitment to Christ and His Church, and second is the responsible way they prepare for meetings and contribute in meaningful ways.”

Arnold Drung and Anne Taylor listen as President Bugbee (l) adds to the discussion at a recent Board of Directors meeting.

The most recent member of the Board of Directors is Arnold Drung (Holy Cross, Kitchener, Ont.). He is president of Conestoga Meat Packers and came to the board to finish an uncompleted term. “Work is done in a very professional manner,” he has observed. “Challenges facing the synod appear to be addressed head on. There is no “shirking away” from the difficult things that need to be addressed.” 

Anne Taylor (St. Luke, Ottawa) is currently serving her first term on the Board of Directors following two terms as a member of the Board of Regents for Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario, the first woman elected to that board. “Each time I receive a nomination to serve on a board I am surprised and amazed. Who would nominate me? What can I bring to the board?” she asks. “I pray about the nomination; accept; and trust God to lead the election according to His will.” 

“Every member of a Lutheran Church–Canada congregation can present names for nominations,” Randy Stefan explains. “And from that list,  the elected Nominations Committee is responsible for matching candidate qualifications with the needs of the various boards and commissions before presenting a slate to the convention.” 

For almost six years, Allen Schellenberg (Trinity, Richmond, B.C.) has served on LCC’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations. The commission provides theological guidance and evaluates inter-church relationships. Mr. Schellenberg, who was a salesman when he was first elected, says he has been “blessed to be a part of this process [which has] involved the study of God’s Word, and working with individuals who share a common concern for the application and practice of God’s Word within LCC. 

Like most members of LCC’s boards and commissions Mr. Schellenberg’s church life revolved around his own congregation. But now he encourages people to “also serve the larger church when asked, allowing the opportunity to meet many new people from across Canada within the faith, to grow in their own faith while they serve, and most importantly, to become more aware of how critical it is for LCC to continue to boldly proclaim God’s truth within our sinful world.” 

To submit your name or the name of someone whom you believe may be qualified to serve on one of LCC’s boards or commissions, you can look at the qualifications and submit a nomination online at www.lutheranchurchcanada.ca/  The deadline is September 30, 2010.

Anne Taylor echoes the words of others serving the church-at-large when she says, “I am blessed and humbled to see God’s saints at work and astounded that He has chosen me to be part of that process.”

Print this article