Reflections on Synod Assembly

​      A few weeks ago, Walter Rau, Sandra Barocio and I represented Coastside Lutheran at the 2023 Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly which was held in Burlingame this year. In addition to handling the business of the Synod, passing the budget, electing council members, etc., the primary focus of the assembly was to elect a new bishop in the wake of the resignation of the previous bishop a year ago.
Bishops are elected using a process called ecclesiastical balloting: on the first ballot, names are written down and submitted to create a slate of candidates. On subsequent ballots, delegates vote on the names and the top vote getters move on to the next round until a winner emerges. (There are specific rules for how many people move on in each round and what percentage of votes is needed to win at each stage.) As the field narrowed, candidates were given opportunities to speak and answer questions so that voting representatives could get to know them better.
      The two candidates that remained for the final round were Rev. Jeff Johnson, who was ultimately elected Bishop and Rev. John Kuehner, our Peninsula Conference Dean. Either one of these pastors would have been an excellent choice for Bishop so I’m happy that Jeff is our Bishop-elect and that we also get to keep John as our conference dean.
      One of the best parts of the election process for me, was hearing these leaders talk about their visions for the future of the institutional church. We all know in our guts that the church is changing and that it is changing because our world is changing. Both Jeff and John spoke about exploring new models of “church” and new ways of making God’s love for the world known and tangible. They both shared ideas about doing worship and ministry with other Lutheran churches and across denominational boundaries and for joining with interfaith partners on issues in our communities.  I left the assembly encouraged and energized and I am looking forward to working with both of these leaders as we move the church into the future.
      Many thanks to Walter and Sandra for attending the assembly and the meetings leading up to the gathering.  It was fun spending the weekend worshiping, discerning and learning together. Thanks also to Mark Loos for leading worship while we were away.
      Bishop-elect Jeff Johnson assumes his new position on November 1st and will be installed as bishop on December 9, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94598.  Please pray for wisdom, patience, courage, compassion, and discernment for him as he takes on this responsibility.   


Blessings,
Pastor Sue