Task Force week in LCC

Two Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) task forces met February 1-3 to continue their examination of seminary education, and access to LCC’s historical records.

In Winnipeg, the Task Force on Efficient and Sustainable Seminary Education spent time with Lutheran Church–Canada’s president, Rev. Robert Bugbee; mission executive Rev. Dr. Leonardo Neitzel; treasurer, Dwayne Cleave and communications director, Dr. Ian Adnams. During the February 1-2 meeting they explored together the role of seminary education for the synod; the relationship between Synod and its seminaries; expectations placed on the seminaries along with financing and recruitment.

“This was a profitable time together,” said President Bugbee. “We must be grateful to God for these men who are being so thorough and thoughtful in their approach to this difficult task.”

The seminaries task force then discussed remaining gaps in its research and areas where members have reached consensus. Its report and recommendations will come before LCC’s Board of Directors later this year for presentation to the Synod Convention in June 2011.

The second task force, which is examining the way LCC handles its archives and cultural properties, met with the Board of Directors of Lutheran Historical Institute (LHI) in Edmonton, February 3. LHI is responsible for collecting, cataloging and making accessible to researchers records from LCC, the ABC District, Concordia University College of Alberta and Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton. Of LCC’s four archives, it holds the largest collection.

The board asked for the opportunity to meet with the task force because one of the overtures which comprise the task force’s mandate dealt with LHI’s governance. Discussion centred around funding, the need for a clear direction from LCC regarding archives, and the importance of archival records as the basis for fostering a Lutheran identity.

The task force is completing its fact-finding and will meet by conference call in early March to assess the material it has gathered from many sources and will meet face-to-face later that month to begin formulating recommendations for the 2011 convention to consider.

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