LCNZ Bishop Taskforce 2024 to 2025
Bishop Taskforce report to LCNZ Synod 2025
Members
Current: Phil Husband, Lesley Johnson, and Richard Schwedes
Previous: Nich Kitchen resigned due to ceasing his call in New Zealand.
We are seeking an additional pastor member to replace Pastor Nich Kitchen, and an additional lay person.
History
At an online Special Synod on 19 November 2022, and in the 2023 LCNZ Convention Book of reports it was proposed that the LCNZ Bishop be part time for LCNZ and serve St Matthew Hamilton Lutheran Church part time.
At 2023 LCNZ Synod no person was nominated for the position of Bishop. As a result, the synod resolved to approach the LCANZ College of Bishops with a request to provide a person from within the leadership of one of the districts of Australia to take up episcopal oversight of the LCNZ, and that appropriate resources be made available for administrative support for the Bishop’s role.
The NSW and ACT District agreed to provide this oversight through the office their Bishop, beginning September 2023. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between NSWACT and NZ Districts which details the key responsibilities of the Bishop and potential visits that will take place.
Responsibilities of the Taskforce
The Bishop’s taskforce’s responsibility is to make recommendations regarding the role of Bishop to the LCNZ synod.
These recommendations will include:
- The role and responsibilities of the Bishop that best serve LCNZ.
- Whether to continue or not the arrangement with LCA NSWACT in its current or an amended form for Bishop oversight for the short to medium term.
- That if or when we proceed in calling a Bishop in the future, we recommend whether the role be full or part time. If part time, what portion and what are the options for them to serve in another role?
- Administrative, funding and housing matters related to the Bishop.
Key Discussion Points of the Taskforce to Date
- The ideal situation for many is that LCNZ have a Bishop based in New Zealand.
- As per the 2023 synod resolution, the Bishop’s position would be part time with LCNZ and part time serving as a congregational pastor, unless circumstances changed.
- We will need to revisit whether St Matthew Hamilton or another congregation, is appropriate as the congregation for the Bishop to serve part time, when it comes time to call a Bishop.
- Feedback to date is that the current arrangements with the NSW and ACT Bishop serving LCNZ are working well.
- The current arrangements with NSW and ACT are working because the Bishop is supported by the LCNZ Administrator, Assistant Bishop and others, we are taking advantage of technology for meetings, there is some flexibility for Bishop visits, the Bishop has focussed on serving and encouraging congregations, and congregations are making themselves available for visits by the Bishop and LCA NSW and ACT District is supportive of the arrangement.
- Feedback from some, is that it is best for LCNZ to focus on assisting their congregations who have a pastoral vacancy to fill their vacancies as a priority before we consider calling a Bishop.
- A strong desire by many is that LCNZ requires a person in the Bishop role who is mission focussed; supporting and empowering congregations to respond to their mission and ministry context and opportunities.
Work Undertaken by the Taskforce
- The taskforce has met four times via Teams.
- The taskforce has reflected on the current arrangements with NSW and ACT District Bishop and feel this is currently serving LCNZ well.
- The taskforce has reviewed the LCNZ constitutional requirements for the role of Bishop, to ensure these are being met. The taskforce will need to revisit this issue on the passing of a new constitution. Neither the current nor the proposed constitution clearly addresses such an arrangement, therefore Synod needs to approve such an arrangement. Also, the proposed constitution does make it clear that the person serving in the role of the Bishop by virtue of the office is also a pastor of the LCNZ (see 8.1).
- It was felt that it best to continue the arrangement with NSW and ACT District for a further synodical term as we still had congregational vacancies, the LCANZ is currently undergoing some major changes, there are not obvious candidates for the role of Bishop and the current arrangement is serving LCNZ well. A further synodical term would also give LCNZ time to better assess the arrangement with LCA NSW and ACT
Recommendation to Synod
- That LCNZ continue to the arrangement with LCA NSW and ACT District for episcopal oversight, with the Bishop of LCA NSW and ACT serving as Acting Bishop for the Lutheran Church in New Zealand for the synodical term 2025-27.
- The Bishop Taskforce continue its work in reviewing the role of the Bishop for LCNZ, reporting to the 2027 LCNZ synod.
- Council of Synod in conjunction with the Bishop’s Taskforce team identify an additional pastor and lay person to serve on the Bishop’s Taskforce
Appendix
Role of the Bishop
MOU with LCA NSW and ACT September 2023
The Bishop will be responsible for the episcopal oversight of all congregations and ministries of the LCNZ. The Bishop however may delegate this oversight down to others. The Bishop’s tasks will include:
- Care of church workers (physical, mental, theological and spiritual)
- Encouraging church workers and lay leadership in mission and ministry
- Work to resolve and or avoid conflict between church workers and people.
- Finding pastors names to fill vacancies.
- Arranging pastoral care of vacant congregations.
- Sharing articles to encourage and promote the LCNZ.
- Reporting to Council of Synod (COS) and (FAC) (participating in the Finance and Advisory Committee if he so chooses.)
- The acting Bishop or the assistant Bishop will represent the LCNZ at COB meetings, the number of meetings the assistant Bishop will attend will be decided by the assistant Bishop and the Bishop.
LCNZ Assistant Bishop supports the Bishop by attending to the following when the Bishop is unable to do so:
- Taking call meetings.
- Installation services of pastors.
- Involvement with conflicted congregations.
- Following up pastoral impropriety
- Celebration of key events.
- Maintain contact with the smaller congregations / groups such as Kawerau, Hawkes Bay, Tauranga.
Current Constitution of LCNZ (July 2021)
VIII Officers and Administration, Section 1. The Bishop, the responsibilities of the Bishop are:
The Bishop:
- will serve as the spiritual leader of the LCNZ and will strive to preserve peace and order and will have supervision of doctrine and practice in the LCNZ;
- will officially represent the LCNZ with power to act in all matters referred to him by the Constitution, By-Laws and synodical enactments, and in all respects perform all functions usual to the office of Bishop;
- will have the general oversight of all congregations, pastors and lay workers in the LCNZ, and in fulfilment thereof will make or arrange for official visits to congregations and parishes;
- will have the general oversight of all elected or appointed church bodies or auxiliaries of the LCNZ, and will have official right to attend the meetings of any committee or auxiliary of the LCNZ or of its Executive;
- will promote the general well-being of the LCA in New Zealand;
- will receive, as the chief administrative officer of the LCNZ, direction, guidance and counsel from the Council of Synod;
- will provide regular reports to Council of Synod on pastoral/parish visits, and other areas of responsibility;
- will preside over all Conventions of the Synod, but may appoint others to chair sessions;
- will provide a Bishop’s report to all Conventions of Synod;
- will, in consultation with the Administrator, arrange for all matters necessary for the Convention of the Synod;
- will work in conjunction with the Assistant Bishop to share responsibilities according to gifts, skills and available time;
- will perform such other duties as are prescribed in the By-Laws;
- will be elected for a four (4) year term;
- may appoint ad-hoc committees to study social questions in light of Scripture and the Confessions as required.
New proposed constitution-bylaws part A section 8.1:
8.1 The Bishop shall
8.1.1.1 serve as the spiritual leader of the District and shall strive to preserve peace and order;
8.1.1.2 have the general oversight of all congregations, pastors and lay workers in the District, and in fulfilment thereof shall make or arrange for official visits to congregations and parishes;
8.1.1.3 have the general oversight of all elected or appointed church bodies or auxiliaries of the District and shall have official right to attend the meetings of any committee or auxiliary of the District or of its Executive;
8.1.1.4 promote the general well-being of the Church in the District;
8.1.1.5 receive, as the chief administrative officer of the District, direction, guidance and counsel from the Church Council; and
8.1.1.6 perform such other duties as are prescribed in the By-laws Part B.
8.1.2.1 a Bishop-elect shall normally assume office three [3] months after being elected;
8.1.2.2 before a Bishop-elect assumes office, the outgoing Bishop shall
8.1.2.2.1 continue as Bishop;
8.1.2.2.2 use the intervening period to settle the affairs of the administration; and
8.1.2.2.3 assist the Bishop-elect to become acquainted with the duties and responsibilities of the office.
Also, throughout both constitutions there are some administrative and leadership responsibilities aligned to the office of Bishop.
Note: The current and proposed constitution is based on the historical role and arrangement for the Bishop of LCNZ.
