"Let's not be afraid, and together let's imagine a revitalization of our beloved ELCA," Bishop Claire Burkat challenged the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly during her address Saturday morning.

Update: watch video of the bishop's address.

Appealing to the Assembly's "missional imagination," the bishop unveiled a set of principles developed in the first phase of the Synod's strategic planning process, that will inform ongoing efforts to reshape the Synod for mission.

"It's God's mission. Jesus is Lord. The Holy Spirit guides us," she said. Together "I believe we can make a difference in our witness and in the mission to which we have been called by God."

Read full coverage of the Bishop's presentation

"God is on a mission in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, and YOU are his plan for getting it done!" Dr. Kelly Fryer told the Assembly as part of her "A Wake Up Call" keynote presentation.

True evangelical ministry, Fryer said, starts with asking "How is my life different because of what God has been up to?" - and telling people about it.

Fryer, co-director of A Renewal Enterprise, had the Assembly members discuss two key questions: How has God's loving mission for the world come to me, and how has it come through me to bless others?

Those two questions "are the core of Lutheran theology," Fryer said.

Read more of Kelly's presentation and download an outline/handout

The Synod received Emmaus Road Lutheran Church, recently formed from the consolidation of Christ, Levittown, and Trinity, Fairless Hills, as the first new congregation formed since 2006.

The Assembly passed a resolution designed to increase generational diversity at future gatherings by allowing congregations to bring an additional voting member under the age of 25.

"Our voices deserve to be heard, too," said Melissa Valentine. "We're very much a part of the church."

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Sporting broad smiles, Bishop Claire Burkat and President of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, Pastor Phil Krey sat side by side as they signed the official agreement for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to relocate to the seminary in December 2008.

The Rev. Patricia Davenport was installed as Assistant to the Bishop for Evangelical Outreach and Mission Director.

Before joining the staff she was pastor of Spirit and Truth Worship Center, Yeadon, which she started as a new mission congregation after graduating from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.

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