Southern Province Approves New Structure at Special Synod

Jim Yarbrough, Synod Chair, listens intently to information presented to members of the Special Synod by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Wayne Burkette

On September 11-12, 2009, the Southern Province of the Moravian Church in America held a special Synod at New Philadelphia Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina to review a proposed Provincial Structure Reorganization. The special Synod (which is defined as an assembly of church delegates, including clergy and lay people, who are called together for discussion, decision, and policy-making regarding church matters) was held outside of the regular Provincial Synod schedule.

As background, the Synod of the Moravian Church Southern Province 2006 (regular synods are held every four years) mandated Resolution 55. Resolution 55 states "….that the PEC appoint an impartial task force that will be charged with systematically and critically examining all aspects of our provincial administration and ministries including PEC, boards and agencies and their relationships with local congregations." The task force on provincial administration worked diligently for 2 years systematically gathering information in order to educate themselves about all aspects of the province, including administration and ministries, PEC, boards and agencies and their relationships with local congregations. The task force held meetings and conducted interviews and surveys throughout the Province. After all the information was critically examined, they concluded that a new framework for the province would best address the issues at hand and the proposed a new organizational structure. The new structure was presented to the PEC who unanimously endorsed the new structure proposal in December of 2008.

Betsy Bombick, a member of the Provincial Administration/Ministries Task Force, speaks to the Synod about the new structure plan

The special synod was held to consider the proposed structure and if approved, to create a steering committee who along with the PEC will lead the Province through phases of implementation.

On Saturday, September 12, 2009, the Synod was convened first as a committee of the whole on government to discuss the proposal at hand, deciding whether or not as written it was to go to the Synod floor for consideration. On that day, 209 official delegates were in attendance with 12 advisory delegates (non-voting) on hand for discussion. After some discussion it was moved that Resolution #1 on Provincial Structure Reorganization would go to the Synod floor for vote. After some discussion a ballot vote was taken with the result being that 172 were in support of the new structure, 35 were against, and 1 abstention was made. This 82% majority result was more than the two-thirds majority needed for adoption.

Next a steering committee was elected to implement the new structure and make provision for transition issues. As stated in the resolution the task force on provincial administration would appoint two of its members to the steering committee (Sandy Baldwin and The Rev. Neil Routh) and the PEC would appoint two members to the committee (The Rt. Rev. Lane Sapp and Donna Hurt). In addition the Synod would elect five members who were nominated prior to the special Synod. The result of two rounds of voting was as follows: Gary Kniskern of Grace Moravian, Mt. Airy, North Carolina; Mike Hurd of Leaksville Moravian, Leaksville, North Carolina; Tamra Thomas of Home Moravian, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Joyce Vance of Peace Moravian, Charlotte, North Carolina; and The Rev. John D. Rights of Konnoak Hills Moravian, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Ted Leinbach, Treasurer of the Southern Province, asks for clarification on voting procedure for the Special Synod.

The new structure will take the cooperative efforts of leaders, pastors, and lay members and will take 2-3 years to phase in completely as directed by the steering committee.

The special synod was mixed with purposeful worship throughout to allow the Chief Elder to be fully present while making human decisions with regard to the work of the church.

For more information on the specifics of the restructure, visit www.moravianstructure.org.

Deanna Hollenbach serves as Executive Director of the Interprovincial Board of Communication for the Moravian Church in North America.