Eastern North Dakota Synod

State of the Synod Report

Bishop Rick Foss

21st Annual Eastern North Dakota Synod Assembly
Fargo, North Dakota
April 5, 2008

“Let Mutual Love Continue: Living as God’s Abundant Gifts”

I like this assembly theme. In a year when there are some transitions, we lift up the deep continuities of life together in this synod. At a time when transition brings some loss, we lift up the profound promise that we are incarnate gifts to one another.

This is my 16th and final report. It will be a bit different, since I will not talk about plans/dreams/challenges for the year ahead; a new bishop will do that with you.

In 1992 I circulated a list of 100 verbs, and asked pastors and lay leaders in this synod which were most important for the bishop/synod office to be doing. You told us (and 5 years later, when asked again, you responded the same way). Of the 100 verbs, which included just about everything found in a bishop’s job description or a letter of call, you selected your “Top Ten Verbs.” Continue reading…