Balancing pastoral roles focus of convocation

SEABECK
Balancing roles of caring for members while leading congregations was the topic of study by pastors from the Southwestern Washington Synod examined at the annual Bishop's Convocation in late February.
Staying focused on Christ was the answer, speakers said.
"I believe and trust in my Lord Jesus," said the Rev. Loren Leapaldt of Christ Lutheran Church of Federal Way.
Besides Leapaldt, speakers included the Revs. Melanie Wallschlaeger, synod director for evangelical mission; Greg Kaurin of Messiah Lutheran Church of Auburn; John Rosenberg of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd of Olympia; Bill Crabtree of Silverdale Lutheran Church; and Suzanne Appelo of Gull Harbor Lutheran Church.
The featured speaker was the Rev. Dr. Jim Christiansen, spiritual director for Consultation to Clergy.
In his annual bishop's report, Robert D. Hofstad said giving to the synod is 10 percent less than a year ago, due to the 2009 ELCA sexuality decision and a troubling economy. That has translated into cuts in synod-office staffing Hofstad will recommend to the synod council. He is recommending that assistants to the bishop the Revs. Valinda Morse and Ron Hoyum work 11 months of the year; the Rev. Don Fossum work one day a week instead of two, and the position of a part-time office assistant be cut.
The synod has lost five congregations since the decision, but has added six, and perhaps one more is in the future. New and emerging congregations include Living Stones Prison Congregation of Shelton; Light of Grace of Federal Way; the north campus of Messiah Lutheran Church of Vancouver; Peace Lutheran Fellowship of Port Ludlow; St. Christopher Community Church of Steamboat Island; and Federal Way Chinese Fellowship. Conversation is going on to start a preaching point in Kingston.
The bishop announced he has set up a fund to help pay salaries of pastors in congregations where giving is down.
Hofstad said the remainder of his term will be focused on redevelopment of existing congregations.