A document provided by the Moravian Church in America, South

What's It All About? 

2006 Synod 

When- Where?

Next year's synod of the Southern Province will be held April 19-23, 2006 at the Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, NC. The conference center is located

near I-40 and is set among 1200 acres in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains with housing for all delegates in comfortable lodges. A central lodge includes a bright, airy dining room overlooking woods and streams, as well as open areas for informal time together.

Understanding the purpose and procedures of synod will help congregations as they elect delegates. This document will also help clarify what is expected of delegates as they prepare to attend synod.  

What will take place?

Synod 2006 will include worship, plenary sessions, ministry groups or committee work. (Ministry groups consist of 10-12 people who focus on a suggested area and who may propose legislation or formulate a report ) Prayer and worship will be focal points of each day. Business, elections, and consideration of resolutions will be addressed in the plenary sessions. Vote counting will be expedited with the use of computers.

Who goes to Synod?

All pastors under call are delegates to synod. Every congregation has one lay delegate for every 125 adult communicant members. Small congregations are entitled to one delegate in addition to the pastor. Provincial boards and agencies are also represented, as are retired pastors and certified, full-time DCEs.

Election of delegates takes place at Church Council. All communicant members may vote. A majority is necessary for election, and an alternate is elected for each delegate. At least 20% of the nominees must be elected members of the Board(s). Congregations are encouraged to elect delegates from various age groups. While congregations elect representatives from among their members, delegates are not bound by instructions from their constituents and should vote according to their own convictions.

Also, please give prayerful consideration to those nominated for positions on provincial boards and

agencies. 

How do delegates prepare for Synod? 

Although synod offers a time for governing, education and building community, the emphasis of the synod is to seek God's direction for the Moravian Church. Prayer, worship, and Bible study are essential as delegates prepare themselves spiritually for work prior to the synod and once it is in session.

Delegates will choose a preference for participation in a ministry group which holds interest for them. It is the delegate's responsibility to read and study introductory material, give devotional time in preparation for synod, and attend all sessions of synod from April 19-23.

Delegates will receive copies of reports submitted by all provincial agencies and institutions, proposed legislation, a sample ballot, and information on individuals nominated for election to provincial positions. They should prayerfully read and consider all material before synod begins.

Pastors are to meet with delegates before synod to discuss the processes of synod and to define the purposes of provincial boards and agencies. This is a good time to ask questions about the procedures for conducting business and voting at synod. Orientation will be offered for those interested in learning more about parliamentary procedures.  

What happens then?

At synod ministry groups and committees will provide opportunities for education and the exchange of ideas as delegates address important areas of church life. These groups may prepare resolutions concerning specific topics and present them on the floor of synod. Resolutions adopted by synod become important directives that affect congregation's contributions to the provincial budget and the activities of agencies. A booklet is published after synod containing all adopted resolutions and reports and given to each pastor and congregation.  

Synod 2006

The Moravian Church in America, Southern Province

The Synod is the highest constitutional body of a province of the Moravian church. The Book of Order lists some specific responsibilities of Synod:

1.      Worship and pray together, seek God's guidance

2.      To consider the affairs of the province administered by the Provincial Elders' Conference and other provincial and inter- provincial boards and agencies, to give direction to these boards and agencies.

3.      To legislate matters regarding constitution, worship and congregational life.

4.      To hold elections for provincial and inter-provincial boards and agencies, for bishops and for delegates to the Unity Synod of the Moravian Church.  

Synod 2006 Timetable

Spring 2005- Congregations elect delegates at Church Council before June 1.

Summer, 2005- Delegates begin reading reports from agencies and institutions and begin concentrated preparation for synod.

Fall 2005-Pastors and delegates meet together for orientation. Pre-synod

Meetings begin. (Tentative). Delegates receive assignments for ministry groups.

Devotional Preparation - Concentrated preparation for synod April 1-22, 2006.

Synod -April 19-23, 2006 - Arrive at Blue Ridge on Wednesday morning.