2010 Synod Convention Report
1. Highlights during the last biennium including information about ecumenical/wider church partnerships as well as tasks and/or events that focus on ministry that is fulfilling in God’s mission in the world, and what God has been doing through their committee work and mandate.
The mandate of CTEL is to register and endorse candidates for ordained and diaconal ministry and to give encouragement and support to these candidates.
Since 2008 two diaconal ministers were consecrated and one ordained track candidate was ordained. Two 4th year ordained track candidates and two diaconal track candidates have been approved for colloquy. There is one other 4th year candidate and one who has been approved for colloquy but is currently on sick leave. One 3rd year ordained track candidate is on internship and one has requested a transfer to WLS. There are 2 part-time ordained track candidates, one at seminary and one pursuing an alternate route to ordination. There is one diaconal candidate studying in Winnipeg. In 2008-2009 there were seven ordained and diaconal candidates serving internships in the MNO synod----something of which we are very proud.
An Ad Hoc Committee on Diaconal Ministry consisting of Bishop Elaine, Sister Monica Denk and Pastor David Saude was established to review academic and practical criteria for candidates interested in diaconal ministry. The proposals of this committee were shared with the other western CTELS.
Helen Saude, a career counselor, met with the CTEL and spoke about Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), which could be a helpful tool for diaconal candidates studying outside the Seminary when they are looking for field placement.
A “Meet the Interns” event was held at Faith Lutheran Church in April, 2009 to give congregations the chance to meet and talk to the group of interns who were serving in our synod.
We are grateful to Pastor Laurel Seyfert who served as CTEL’s liaison for “It’s Your Call”
2. Mission and Ministry initiatives in the next biennium that address our theme and vision: In Mission With Others – Led by God’s Word:
An ongoing concern for our CTEL is the fact that for two years we have had no new candidates registered for either ordained or diaconal track ministry. We hope that another major campaign like “It’s Your Call” can be launched to encourage and give information to anyone who feels a call to ministry. |
