Lutheran Church of New Zealand

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LCNZ Convention of Synod 2025 Administration detail

19 December 2024

LCNZ Convention of Synod

The biennial LCNZ Convention of Synod is run under the auspices of the LCNZ Constitution and By-Laws.

In particular the following specific matters

Dates and Venue

The 2025 Convention of Synod will be held at Mountainside Lutheran Church, 1 Harris Road, Mt Wellington in Auckland on 20 to 22 June 2025.

The Convention will be preceded by the District Church Workers Conference which will be held on 19 to 20 June 2025.  The venue of this is to be advised.

Worship

There are a number of worship services to be held as an integral part of Convention

  • Opening Service – Saturday 21 June at 8:30am
  • In Memorium Service – Saturday 21 June from5:30 pm
    Congregations need to provide details of members who have passed away since the 2023 Synod to the Administrator by 10 June
  • Sunday congregation service – Sunday 22 June at 10:00 am
  • Closing Service – Sunday 22 June at 4:30 pm

Theme and logo

The theme for Convention is On an Adventure with Jesus -Te Hīkoi Haerenga ki a Hēhu

The theme text is – But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession
and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.   2 Corinthians 2:14

Events and meals

There will be a number of events associated with Convention

  • Friday night cocktails and introduction to Matariki
  • Saturday night Synod dinner
  • Meals during convention – lunch and morning and afternoon teas (Saturday and Sunday)

Costs and booking details will follow

Delegates

The delegates are representatives of the specific group they represent.  Delegates are appointed for the period from the beginning of Convention of Synod to immediately prior to the Convention at the end of the synodical period.  If a Special Convention were to be required to be held during that period, the delegates would be invited to attend that as well.  Also delegates are kept informed of specific events or items of interest during the synodical period, which they should share with their congregation members.

A quorum of delegates is required for a Convention and that quorum is defined as 3/5 of elected voting delegates.

There are four groups that form the delegates:

  1. Lay delegates who have been elected by their congregations. The congregations are able to elect one delegate for every 50 voting members of their congregation.  The election should be held early in the year of the Convention and notified to the LCNZ in the time frame advised.
    The delegates for the 2025 need to be advised to the LCNZ District Office (by email to lcnzsynod@lutheran.org.nz.  There will be a form provided in early 2025 so that the correct information and approvals can be obtained.  Only nominations on the official form will be accepted.
    The due date for the notification of the elected delegate to the Administrator is            31 March 2025.
    Alternates may be able to be appointed when a delegate is unable to attend.
  1. Members of the Ministry of the LCNZ – Pastor delegates. These pastors need to be ordained pastors of the LCA and called to a congregation or entity in New Zealand.
  2. Members of the Council of Synod
  3. Treasurer of the LCNZ

Other attending persons

The following persons may be invited to attend Synod.  Generally they are not able to vote.  They will generally only be able to speak on the floor if the chair of Synod gives the appropriate permission.

  1. Consultants appointed by Council of Synod.
  2. Representatives of Standing Committees, Auxiliaries and Commissions of the LCNZ
  3. Bishop of the LCA and other members of the LCA

Remits

The following are entitled to submit remits for discussions at the LCNZ Convention of Synod

  1. Member congregations
  2. Standing Committees, Auxiliaries and Commissions of the LCNZ
  3. Pastors Conference
  4. Council of Synod
  5. General Church Council of the LCA (now the General Church Board)

Remits need to be provided to the Administrator (lcnzsynod@lutheran.org.nz) of the LCNZ at least eight (8) weeks before Convention commences.  These will be included in a Book of Reports for the convention which needs to be in the hands of the delegates 28 days prior to Convention.  Remits arising from Convention reports  other agenda items will be accepted for discussion at the Convention.  Late remits are possible, but only with the approval of the Convention

For the 2025 Convention the timetable for the remits is:                                                              Due dates

Remit for consideration by Convention from the appropriate body is:                                       24 April

Agenda and book of reports to be in the hands of delegates                                                          23 May
(they will be posted to the LCNZ website and mailed prior to this date)

Remits arising from Convention reports and recommendations and other agenda items     20 June

Late remits                                                                                                                                               20 June

Reports

Reports from Standing Committees and auxiliaries (including from congregations) will be presented to the LCNZ Bishop at least eight (8) weeks prior to Convention.  Reports are to be included in the Book of reports.

Due date of reports for Convention from all appropriate bodies is:                                            24 April

Nominations

Nominations for candidates to various offices and Boards can be made by:

  1. Convention of Synod
  2. Congregations
  3. Boards of the LCNZ

Nominees must be assured the nominee will accept office if elected.
Nominees will provide essential details of nominees, as defined by Council of Synod.

Election procedure is determined by LCNZ Constitution Article VII Para 4

Travel and Accommodation

The convention planning team are investigating options for travel and accommodation.  These will be shared in early 2025.

Volunteers

Convention cannot operate without members who are able to volunteer at Convention.  We will be looking for minute takers and verifiers, ushers, car park attendees, meal assistants, setting up rooms, taking down rooms, power point operators, livestream operators.  If you are interested in assisting in any of these ways please let us know by email to lcnzsynod@lutheran.org.nz before                                                                                    10 June 2025.

Visitors

Visitors will be welcome to attend convention.  They will need to register and pay for meals

Livestream

Convention business and worship will be live streamed.  A link will be provided closer to the opening time.

Updates

Further details and updates will be provided on the LCNZ website.

 

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