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Reconfiguration Timeline
from Lutheran CORE Steering Committee
October 29, 2009
Greetings in Jesus’ Name:
“God is reforming the churches of the Reformation . . . The question for us is not so much whether we ought to re-vision Lutheranism in North America, but rather how will we respond to this clear invitation to re-vision Lutheranism in North America,” Ryan Schwarz of Lutheran CORE Steering Committee told the Lutheran CORE Convocation September 25 in the Indianapolis suburb of Fishers, Indiana.
The next day, the 1,200 Lutheran CORE members at the Convocation unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing a process “leading toward a possible reconfiguration of North American Lutheranism.” The Lutheran CORE Steering Committee was charged with developing a recommendation for action. Having been entrusted with overseeing this process, we want to keep you informed as to what is happening and how you can be involved in shaping the future for Lutherans in North America.
A timeline for reconfiguration has now been developed, the detail of which is below. In short, a major statement of the direction of reconfiguration will be published by the Steering Committee following its meeting on November 17-18, 2009. A design for reconfiguration will be created and published by February 2010, and that design will be presented for adoption and implementation to the 2010 Lutheran CORE Convocation, which will be August 26-27, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio.
Seven working groups are being formed. They will address various aspects of the life and work of Lutheran CORE and the work toward reconfiguration. The Vision and Planning working group, chaired by Ryan Schwarz, will serve as the lead unit in developing the reconfiguration proposal. Information on the groups and an application form for those who feel called to serve are available online at www.lutherancore.org.
Literally dozens of regional groups and gatherings have been organized post-Fishers. The Steering Committee has prepared a short list of discussion questions for such meetings, seeking input for the reconfiguration process. These questions are available on our website, www.lutherancore.org. If you are organizing a regional gathering, please download the questions and plan to provide your group’s ideas for the reconfiguration working groups.
This is an exciting time for faithful Lutherans in North America as we discover the future God has in store for us. A summary of the timeline for our common work over the coming months follows:
| DATE | MILESTONE |
|---|---|
| Nov 2, 2009 | Lutheran CORE and WordAlone Network leaders meet for preliminary conversations |
| Nov 17-18, 2009 | Lutheran CORE Steering Committee meeting, followed by public statement on reconfiguration |
| Dec 2009 | Initial meeting of Vision and Planning Working Group |
| Early Jan 2010 | Consultations with partner renewal movements and congregational members of Lutheran CORE |
| Mid Jan 2010 | Meetings with movements and Lutheran church bodies that are not a part of Lutheran CORE |
| Late Jan 2010 | Preparation of draft proposal by Vision and Planning team |
| Early Feb 2010 | Review by Lutheran CORE’s Advisory Council, the theologians and church leaders who advise Lutheran CORE on significant issues |
| Mid Feb 2010 | Final review by Steering Committee and publication of recommendation for review by Lutheran CORE members and partners |
| Mar 2010 | Constitutional Working Group begins work on constitutional amendments required for implementation of reconfiguration design |
| July 2010 | Proposed constitutional amendments published for review by Lutheran CORE members and partners |
| Aug 26-27, 2010 | Lutheran CORE Convocation considers recommendation on reconfiguration and proposed constitutional amendments |
Please pray for all those who are involved in this process that God might show us His plans for the future of Lutheranism in North America. Also please pray for all those ELCA members, pastors, and congregations who have been hurt by the actions of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. This is a difficult time for many, but it is also a hopeful time as God is calling the faithful to stand together and to work toward the future He is giving us.
Your servants in Christ,
Lutheran CORE Steering Committee
- Bishop Paull Spring - Chair
- Pastor Mark Chavez - Director
- Pastor Scott Grorud
- Pastor Rebecca M. M. Heber
- Pastor Kenneth Kimball
- Pastor Victor C. Langford III
- Mr. Ryan Schwarz
- Pastor W. Stevens Shipman - Secretary
- Pastor Paul Ulring
- Pastor Erma Wolf - Vice Chair