With the goal of keeping you informed of developments in our synod, I am once again sending you this brief summary of developments during the past year:

 

Staff Reductions. I am hopeful that the painful reductions in synod staff and staff compensation are now at an end. Last year we laid off two fulltime staff (one administrative position and one Assistant to the Bishop) and Pastor Nancy Christensen moved from a synod position as Assistant to the Bishop to the ELCA churchwide office-funded position as Director of Evangelical Mission.

 

In addition to these reductions, salaries paid to synod staff have been decreased periodically since September 2009. The most recent round of reductions went into effect February 1. The net impact of all of these changes is an annualized reduction of $197,150 in salaries over the past 18 months, with corresponding reductions in pensions, insurance, and other benefits. Furthermore, the 2012-13 ministry funding plan that will be considered by this year's Synod Assembly does not include any proposed raises for synod staff, but it also does not include further proposed reductions.

 

Support for Institutions and Agencies. I am also hopeful that no further reductions in our support of the seminaries, college and campus ministry programs, camps, and social ministry organizations will be necessary. We are currently providing these groups with only 56% of the financial support we provided two years ago. The magnitude of our reduction has had a significant impact on the ministries of many of these institutions.

 

Synod Council. Although many of the members of this synod rarely see first-hand the work done by our Synod Council, we can all be grateful for the leadership the Council has provided during these difficult months. The Council has been proactive in keeping spending in line with resources, while continuing to encourage important synodical ministries. For example, since our reorganization in 2009, the Synod Council has approved the formation of seven new ongoing committees. An additional ten task forces are currently functioning; other task forces have been formed and then discontinued when their work was done.

 

You might also be interested in knowing that, except for meetings associated with synod assemblies, our Synod Council now holds its meetings in congregational facilities, stays with local host families, and eats meals provided by the host congregations. This change and the hospitality afforded by our host congregations has greatly reduced the Council's meeting expenses even as it has helped build relationships among synodical and congregational leaders.

 

Last Year's Financial Results. A combination of strong January giving and strict expense control throughout the year allowed us to make several adjustments prior to closing the books on the 2010-11 fiscal year on January 31. Some examples:

 

· We were able to fully make up the cuts imposed on institutions and agencies from October through January.

 

· We transferred additional funds to our Planting New Congregations Fund, coming close to making up the reduction in contributions to that Fund this past fall.

 

· Each of the remaining synod staff members received a one-time payment of approximately 6% of salary, as a partial offset for continuing salary reductions.

 

· An extra allocation of $5,371 was given to Lutheranch, to make up some of the shortfall in congregational designated giving to Lutheranch last year.

 

· The final "bottom line" for our Unrestricted Fund was a positive $7,029.

 

Congregations Leaving the ELCA. Since August, 2009, eighteen of our congregations have taken votes on leaving the ELCA. Of those eighteen first votes, nine failed and nine were successful. To date, eight congregations have taken second votes to leave, all of which have succeeded. These congregations have either left the ELCA or will leave, pending approval of the Synod Council in June. One congregation is scheduled for a second vote on March 6. To my knowledge, no other votes to disaffiliate are being considered at this time, for which I am very grateful.

 

A Public Word of Thanks. This has not been an easy year for our church. It has not been an easy year to serve this synod. I am grateful far beyond words for the faithful work of those who share this work with me in the synod office. Due to cutbacks in staff and salary, our staff has worked more for less financial compensation. Clearly this is a vocation and a work of love for all of them.

 

Beyond the synod staff, the Synod Council and many others in this synod have offered their support, their wisdom, their time and their prayers as together we carry out this gospel work we have been given. Thank you for your commitment to the work of this synod in this challenging time.

 

In Christ's hope and peace,

 

+ H. Julian Gordy
Bishop
ELCA Southeastern Synod
404.589.1977