Unpacking... together!

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I’m still unpacking …

No, I haven’t made any trips in the last week.  What I’m unpacking are the three major “first” experiences as bishop that occurred within a five day period:

Synod Council – Installation Service – Theological Conference

What connects these three experiences is that they each offered an opportunity for me to gain new perspective on our life together as a synod. At the same time these experiences allow me ponder how the Office of the Bishop might most effectively serve our ministry and mission as God’s people in the Rocky Mountain Synod.

A few words about what I experienced and learned from these events:


Synod Council:

  • There is lots of energy, commitment, and giftedness within our Synod Council.
  • We have work to do in clarifying the distinct role of Synod Council vis-à-vis the roles played by the Office of the Bishop Staff, Synod committees and boards, Synod Conferences, etc.  We are committed to that work.
  • There is agreement that the way forward should be shaped by collaboration in five major focus areas:
    • HealthyLeadership
    • Deepened Discipleship
    • Connected Community
    • Shared Ministry
    • Expanding Vision

Installation:    

  • When the Spirit gathers us together, we are greater than the sum of our parts.
  • There is transformational power in worship – through the gifts of Word and Sacrament, music and dance, lay and clergy, past and future, saint and sinner, young and old …
  • Despite my reticence about being in the limelight for this event, what I experienced was profound blessing at every level.  I cannot express enough thanks to all who shared in this celebration of our life as the Body of Christ.  

Theological Conference:

  • It is clear to me that there is pain and fatigue among many of our rostered leaders.
  • It is also clear to me that there is passion, creativity and a desire to mobilize the talents of all the faithful among many of our rostered leaders.
  • Nothing is more important for our life together as a synod than connecting.  
  • Nothing is more challenging in our life together as a synod than connecting.
  • Talking about change produces a mixture of anxiety, skepticism and exhilaration … working on change together produces engagement and investment.


Even as I continue to unpack these experiences, I’m gearing up for another first:  attending the ELCA Conference of Bishops during the first week of October. I know this will provide me with additional vantage points from which to understand my new call.

But it doesn’t end there.

As we head into the next few months, I expect that my perspective will be deepened even further by the many opportunities I will have to be in conversation with clergy and lay leaders. I’m especially excited about the eleven Missional Gatherings scheduled within the synod between October and January. As we meet around the theme. “Deeply Rooted, Bearing Fruit,” my hope is that we’ll not only learn from one another, but that we’ll discover a vision for our life in the Rocky Mountain Synod that will be worth unpacking – together – for years to come!

Yours in Faith,

Bishop Jim Gonia


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