One of the highlights of the year is always the NC Synod Assembly.  Not only is it three days of worship and sharing ministry ideas with others, it is also a chance to catch up with old friends and to make new friends.  I am always inspired by our synod staff and the leadership of Bishop Bolick.  Here are some highlights of the Bishops report to the assembly.  You may read the entire Bulletin of Reports here.

                                  Pastor Ray

   Grace and peace to you in the name of the Risen Christ!

The 2010 North Carolina Synod Assembly will gather at Lenoir-Rhyne University June 3 thru

June 5. This will be the 208th synodical gathering and the 23rd assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We gather under the theme – “God’s Work, Our Hands: Light and Hope in the Midst of Brokenness.”  

I use the Mission Statement to structure my 15th Annual Report as Bishop of the North Carolina Synod. 

Walking together – sharing Christ we:

+        Center our life in worship, prayer and scripture

+        Identify and equip leaders

+        Support the ministries of congregations

+        Reach out through witness and service to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in a changing world

+        Serve as stewards of the property and resources of the synod

 Center Our Life in Worship, Prayer and Scripture

At the request of the North Carolina Synod (by way of a resolution), the 2007 Churchwide Assembly adopted a five year initiative to encourage our church to become more fluent in the language of Holy Scripture. Dr. Bill Mims and Catherine Fink are leading that effort in North Carolina. More and more are participating in this “Book of Faith – Lutherans Read the Bible” initiative. Each month those in our office gather to participate in Bible study and worship each Wednesday in Herndon Chapel. I often begin my day in Herndon Chapel praying for leaders/pastors and congregations. I have this past year encouraged our synod to pray, worship and read Holy Scripture in our journey together. 

Identify and Equip Leaders

We are preparing 85 candidates for full time work in the church- as our camps (Lutheridge-Lutherock and Agape + Kure Beach), Lenoir-Rhyne University, Campus Ministry, lay leaders and pastors encourage and seek out leaders for our church. Bishop’s School on the campus of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is an example of seeking out and supporting leaders.

The Reverend Judy Klusman and Charlene Maness are no longer at our office – due to reduced offerings. We miss them and are trying to cover, as we are able, their areas of responsibility.  Our synod is blessed with many excellent leaders, lay and clergy – those who work in our office are dedicated and capable.

Support Ministries of Congregations

A significant amount of time has been spent in congregations, especially following the Churchwide Assembly. I have visited more than one hundred congregations, well over half of the visits have been to discuss the Assembly. In other words, our church is in conversation about the interpretation of scripture. I often explain how such decisions are made, what decisions were made and the responses. I will provide a detailed report on such matters during my reflection time on Friday morning of the Assembly. I will say here, there is a sense of brokenness and most congregations within their family of faith are experiencing a difference of opinion regarding the resolutions adopted by the Churchwide Assembly. We have Christians who do not agree on the interpretation of scripture or how to respond to the Churchwide Assembly decisions. 

Reach out Through Witness and Service to Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a Changing World

We have six mission congregations underway: Living Waters, Cherokee; Cristo el Rey, Charlotte; Graceway, Charlotte; Living Waters, Charlotte; La Vela, Greensboro; Joy of Discovery, Raleigh.

Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities are: gracepoint, Pittsboro; The German Church, Charlotte; Holy Family, Highlands; Emmanuel, Kitty Hawk; Good News, Clinton.

 Serve as Stewards of Resources

We are blessed with dedicated leaders, and I say thank you for your ministry – I say this to our ministry team in the office, the Synod Council, Deans, leaders of congregations, pastors and rostered lay leaders, who faithfully gather for worship and carry God’s Word into the world.

During late summer and early fall I am hoping that each congregation will receive a visit from the Walking Together-Sharing Christ Visitation Team – coordinated by Pastor Bill Trexler. Pastor Trexler served as pastor in various congregations in Region 9 and was Bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod for a term. He will tell us more about these visits on Thursday of our assembly.

 On a personal note – you called me to a third term as Bishop of the North Carolina Synod this past assembly – I am humbled and honored to serve as pastor among you. The work is at times difficult and hours can be long, but I am strengthened by your prayers, both personally and in many congregations on Sunday morning. I know I speak for all of us in the office of the Bishop on this matter.

 May God bless you as you read this report and know of my prayers for you, your life, your ministry, and your family.

Bishop Leonard Bolick