Council of Synod
February to June
CoS met on four occasions by teams and in one face to face meeting over this period.
LCANZ Payroll project
Council of Synod approved that LCNZ join in the LCANZ new payroll project with a view towards transferring payroll processing and record holding to the LCANZ.
LCNZ Trust Board
Council of Synod have updated the documentation of the LCNZ Trust Board and the trustees. In this work they discovered that the Trust Document had been reported as lost in prior Synodical periods. The replacement deed has not yet been written, and the CoS have requested this be prepared as soon as practicable.
LCNZ Convention of Synod
Council of Synod spent the period February to June preparing for the Convention of Synod including preparing remits covering constitution changes and Mission Strategic Directions, setting run orders, received reports and congregation
Mission Strategic Direction
Council of Synod developed the draft Mission Strategic Direction in this period. It started with research and then a one day workshop, which was attended by all CoS members, David Pang from Botany, Nick Kitchen from Auckland, LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith and was facilitated by Tim Niewand and supported with a GGTB grant. Over the following period the documentation was developed, refined and presented to Convention of Synod.
Manse Rectification Project
Council of Synod worked through the Synodical period and reported to Convention of Synod that the rectification of the manse was required. This includes a redesign of the area that is leaking water and plans to fix water damage and the consequential mold issues. Convention needs to approve the spend, and the ability for LCNZ to fund it from cash reserves, grants or loans.
Meeting with congregation leaders
Council of Synod have a plan to take their face-to-face meetings (held twice a year) to different parts of the country. In doing so CoS have a policy of interacting with the local congregation leaders. The April 2025 meeting was held in Auckland and Cos met with leaders/church councils of both Mountainside and Botany Lutheran Churches.
Other matters considered over the period
- Engagement with LCA General Church Board with Bishop Paul Smith was commenced. Further interactions will be
- Warren Paltridge was appointed to the Bishop Taskforce to replace Nich Kitchen who moved to Sydney.
- Andy Marr and Richard Schwedes were appointed to NCL membership to replace Nich Kitchen.
- CoS members also met with Karolina Przybytek-Chrobak over lunch to thank her for her service as Finance Administrator and presented her with a pounamu to recognize her service following her resignation in November 2024.
- CoS members attended the ordination of Pr Mark Tung at Botany Lutheran Church.
- CoS members share their meetings with a devotion and sharing their Minute for Mission.
CoS approved the LCNZ annual audited financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2024 which were presented to Convention of Synod
Andy Marr
Chairperson
Council of Synod
July 2025
