LCNZ Council of Synod news – September 2024
Significant items that were discussed at the Council of Synod (CoS) meeting held in Palmerston North on 13 and 14 September included:
Meeting opening
- It is normal for CoS to meet with the local leaders when they hold their meetings in person in a parish location. CoS deliberately spread their face to face meetings around the country to facilitate these opportunities.
- CoS meet with the Manawatu Parish leadership Team discussing their Children and Youth Ministry Programme, the potential call process for a new pastor, the challenges in the parish, the interim visiting pastors, the replacement roof project and the Future Ministry Project work with Marton.
- Members shared Mission in a Minute items
Standard items
- Conflict of Interest and Professional Standards Safe Church registers were updated
- Bishop Richard reported on a number of items of interest and under action.
Agenda items
- CoS to undertake a Strategic Direction process to discern the direction and impact of LCNZ In Mission into the future
- LCNZ First Quarterly Financial Statements to June 2024 were received and these show a deficit for the quarter of $16,000.
- LCNZ finalised the LCNZ application for a grant for the operational budget of $80,000 for the 2025 year from the Gateway Gift. This grant is $5,000 less than in recent prior years.
- Staff review and annual increases were discussed and these processes are to be completed for the November CoS meeting.
- The nominees for the Salary Advisory Committee were identified
- LCNZ and Congregation websites to be reviewed and updated where needed.
- The Small Catechism – Te Katikihama Poto is to be reprinted with new cover. Cover art work to be completed.
- The Abuse in Care – Royal Commission of Inquiry report preparatory work on the recommendations continues as we await the formal apology and the Government legislative requirements.
- At the time of the meeting the LCNZ Gatherings were in process – Auckland and Fieldling had been completed and Upper Moutere, Christchurch and Wellington were to follow the next week.
- LCA Convention of Synod and General Pastors Conference were to follow on early October .
- The LCNZ Convention of Synod Planning team met in Auckland on 7 September. COS approved the theme. (see separate article).
- CoS are looking to appoint members to the LCNZ Nominations Committee . If you or someone you know is interested in assisting the church in this role, please contact Bishop Richard (Richard.schwedes@lca.org.au ) or Rev Andy Marr (chair of CoS, Andrew.marr@lca.org.au) to discuss.
New items
- COS agreed to commence the Governance review required by the Charities commission. This is due to be completed at least every three years, and the current deadline is October 2026.
Meeting ending
- The meeting ended in prayer led by Assistant Bishop Warren Paltridge
- The next meeting will be by Teams on Tuesday 12 November 2024.
Rev Andy Marr
Chairperson Council of Synod
October 2024
