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This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "BRTFSSG"

Blue Ribbon Task Force and Analysis Part Three:The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

February 18th, 2010 | 8 Comments

The Good Again, I was impressed with the overall demeanor and forthrightness of the Task Force. They have been responsive to questions and criticism and changed much of their recommendations over time. They do appear to be genuine and actively listening to the concerns and needs of those who have responded. And many of their recommendations are good. I firmly support the change in length of terms, the four-year cycle and the reduction in delegates to Synodical Conventions. These will provide significant cost-savings to the Synod and to the congregations, which are assessed for conventions. In fact, I really find that few of the actual recommendations are bad or dangerous or misguided or anything else that critics have suggested. Since I am not a voting delegate to the Convention, I recommended those … Read entire article »

Filed under: Theology

Blue Ribbon Task Force Report and Analysis Part Two

February 17th, 2010 | Add a Comment

In this part I will address the content of the presentation and the recommendations of the Task Force in more detail, reporting on some of the major changes and providing information gleaned from the Q&A portions of the presentation. Part Three will offer my analysis and commentary on the good, bad and ugly of the Synod and this restructuring proposal. The final report is published here. If any of these posts are of interest to you, I recommend you read the whole thing, in all it’s mind-numbing detail. Recommendations #1-3 were essentially brushed over by the panel. They include #1 Affirm and Clarify Governing Documents #2 Clarify the Congregational Principle #3 Restore Circuits to their Primary Purpose Despite some significant changes to the wording of the Constitution, the panel emphasized #3 the most throughout the event. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Theology

Blue Ribbon Task Force Report and Analysis: Part One

February 15th, 2010 | 1 Comment

Part One: A Summary of the Event My report and analysis will be divided into three parts. First, I will provide a general look at what happened at the conference. In part two I will offer and comment upon the content of the presentations and a portion of the questions raised and answers given, with emphasis on what I feel are the most critical and important recommendations. The final section will give my summary and general critique of this proposal and the future of the Synod. The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance began their work four years ago. President Kieschnick suggested that they have spent thousands of hours on the recommendations, and it shows. Before you read all of this, please be aware that the entire presentation given … Read entire article »

Filed under: Theology