2004 Synod Assembly: "Called Into
God's Marvelous Light"
Live update added 2 p.m., Friday, April 23, 2004
Bishop Outlines Synod Strategic
Plan, Assembly Votes To Proceed With It
The Rev. Harold L. Usgaard,
Bishop of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, outlined the vision and goals of
the new strategic plan.
The plan, titled "Called Into
God's Marvelous Light," was unanimously supported by attendants of the 17th
annual Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly. Usgaard said the plan will
guide synod activities in the years ahead.
"We are excited," he said. "We
are looking forward to these coming years, discovering what God has planned
for us."
Containing three visions, the
strategic plan calls synod members "to be joyful witnesses," "to be
Christ-centered disciples," and "to be strong leaders." Usgaard said those
visions translate into several goals.
Among the goals supporting the
first vision are: equipping the baptized to be witnesses; identifying and
supporting new congregations as mission sites; revitalizing congregations;
connecting our local and global context; strengthening the relationship
between evangelism and worship; and paying particular attention to youth,
young adults, young families and rural congregations.
Goals support the second
vision include: deepening prayer lives; grounding in the scriptures;
attending worship weekly; and increasing generosity in stewardship.
Other goals, which support the
third vision, include: raising up new leaders to serve Christ's church;
equipping lay leaders in the congregation; and supporting healthy rostered
leaders.
Usgaard said the plan's
visions and goals were derived from the suggestions of synod members. He
thanked members for the input and said requests for monetary support would
be forthcoming.
"Allow me to be frank," he
said. "We are talking about new initiatives. New initiatives take extra
support. We will not be able to accomplish what we are envisioning without
financial support."
Usgaard said requests for
financial support would be accompanied by reasons explaining why the new
funding is needed.
Click here to see the resolution and more information about the
strategic plan.
Click here for the
strategic plan web page.
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