Together, One: Advancing the Mission and Ministry of Lutheran Church–Canada

CANADA – You may have read in previous issues of The Canadian Lutheran, that Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) is working on creating a shared vision of the future for our Synod. This important work, dubbed the Purpose & Priorities Planning Process, has involved many voices across our church body over the past ten months. This process has provided exceptional feedback and direction on our challenges and our opportunities. The purpose is to develop a strategic framework enabling us to boldly fulfill our mission and ministry today and into the future.

The latest step was an in-person retreat held on April 7-8 in Winnipeg. Representation from pastors, deacons, and laity, together with LCC’s Board of Directors and synodical leadership, gathered to discuss the distilled feedback generated from the online survey and virtual focused leadership sessions. Our goal was to establish clarity around LCC’s mission, vision and values and focus on areas of need to position LCC for mission expansion and congregational vitality. Based on the group’s response, the retreat accomplished what it set out to do. Our thanks to all the participants. 

The next step is to share this framework and vision at LCC’s Synodical Convention in June. As the inaugural convention of our new structure, where all of our congregations or parishes will come together, it presents an excellent opportunity to highlight the passion our church body has for its future and bring forward the excitement of expanding our mission. There is much work to do in the coming months as we are just forming the foundation. Our next four years will be significant, and our hope is that together as one synod, we strengthen our unity in proclaiming the Gospel and bringing glory to God through this effort.

We ask that you continue to keep this process and our synod in your prayers. We recognize that by ourselves we can accomplish nothing, but in Christ “who makes all things new”, we are able to fulfill our mission. For further information or if you have questions, comments, or input, please contact David Friesen, LCC Director of Advancement, at dfriesen@lutheranchurch.ca.

“I left home with the prayer that God would use us for His good purposes, and I believe that my prayer was answered. Thanks be to God!”

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