Episode 174: Prepare for Synod - Glorifying God through Synod Leadership - Willy Krahnke

"The deliberation process of synod is worship. The congregational prayer in your churches is worship. The sermon you hear on a Lord's Day is worship…When synod meets and synod deliberates, when synod argues, when synod comes to resolution, that is also worship" -Willy Kranke

“We are in a denomination that has been known over the years to emphasize that all of life is worship, right? And if we believe that you can worship God while working on a factory line in a factory, you definitely can also worship God when you're literally doing the work of the church…It's even worshipful to do discipline in the church because the goal of discipline is to restore erring Christians back into fellowship with their Lord Jesus Christ." -Jason Ruis

Summary of This Episode

This week on The Messy Reformation, we have part one of a conversation between Jason and Willy that’s geared towards helping prepare those who are headed to Synod. While neither of them are delegated this year, they’ve learned a lot over the last few years in their various roles that can be shared. This episode is primarily Willy’s “top 10” advice for first timers and refreshers for veterans.

1. Read the WHOLE Agenda for Synod. Given how long the Agenda is, it’s easy to skim over certain “boring” parts, especially when they don’t have to do with your assigned Advisory Committee. However, it’s good to be informed on all the subjects of Synod, including things in the COD report and reading the information available about those who are on various ballots that you’ll be asked to vote on.

2. Find a Synod mentor (and for veterans, be a mentor to a first-timer). One of the most helpful things you can do before or at Synod is connect with someone who’s been there before that can help direct you where to go and how things go. It can easily be an overwhelming time.

3. Listen carefully to the reporters’ presentations. Reports and recommendations that come to the floor from advisory committees tend to intentionally use a lot of technical language. The committees work to present things in a very specific way. There’s a difference between words like adopt, recommend, and receive for information. Jason encourages asking others nearby you if something doesn’t make sense, but don’t be afraid to ask for a “point of order” to get some clarification.

4. If you believe the president is making a procedural error, call for a point of order or challenge the chair. Challenging the chair is not an attack on the person. None of us is infallible and mistakes can get made in order. You are challenging the ruling.

5. If you know you want to speak on a matter, get in the speaker queue. There are procedures that can cease conversation. If you believe you have something to add, don’t wait too long to get your name in. Jason reminds us that the flow of debate should not be easily weaponized and that “calling the question” is an opportunity for the body to decide when to cease the conversation.

6. If another speaker has made your point, consider removing your name from the queue. Especially when floor debates get lengthy, it’s easy for the same points to be made repeatedly. The purpose of speaking in favor or against a motion is to help add information for the body should consider. While it may be difficult to stay seated when there’s something you care about, it’s worth asking yourself if you really have something substantially new to add.

7. Consider preparing notes ahead of your speech and using Scripture to make your point. If you know you have something you want to say, spend time before it comes to the floor to think through what exactly you want to communicate so that you can share it in a timely matter. If you’re not at all prepared, it’s easy to ramble, be unclear, and speak past the time allowed. Jason also reminds that you don’t have to use the whole three minutes! Regarding the use of Scripture, remember God’s Word is the sword of Spirit.

8. Any delegate can make a floor motion at any time. Every delegate holds equal authority regardless if this is your first or tenth Synod. If there is a matter you wish to bring up, follow the instructions on the Synod Delegates’ website. Also, this is why it’s important to keep paying attention throughout plenary sessions, and be aware of (or ask) what different procedural words mean.

9. Always conduct yourself in a way that represents your Lord Jesus Christ. Your identity is in him, you are to bear good fruit, even in a committee that may not be according to your desire, continue, as Jason adds, to be and act as a Christian 100% of the time.

10. Remember that Synod and its work is part of our worship to God. All the parts of this meeting and its work is to be a service to the church. God has equipped leaders, giving us duties and responsibility. Worship is not just the song times.

Between points 8 and 9, Willy shares about the flow of the week’s schedule. There are two distinct times. Friday and Saturday (sometimes longer) are spent in advisory committee work, which may include majority and minority reports, which they get into. Monday through Thursday are spent in plenary session, where all the delegates are gathered, listening, and making decisions on the floor.