Oftentimes, I struggle to understand the words of Jesus as…
From Bishop Miller- Summer 2025
Bishop Miller reflects on this year’s Synod Assembly.
We gathered at Camp Mount Luther on Friday and Saturday under the theme, “Living into the Good News,” for worship, edification, and the business of the synod. This was our first ever assembly at camp, which would have been impossible before because our attendance was too large. Officially, 198 voting members and guests attended the assembly over the two days. Limited internet access meant we had to vote the old-fashioned way, without our now familiar Vevox app.
We began on Friday morning with workshops covering mission, preaching, youth, partnerships, and legacy, led by pastors, lay leaders, ELCA representative, DEM, and ELCA Foundation Gift Planner. Saturday morning Eucharist featured excerpts from a liturgy co-written for camp by Dr. Gil Waldkoenig (United Lutheran Seminary) and Chad Hershberger (camp director). The bishop was preacher and presider.
The assembly adopted a budget for 2026, amendments to the CBCR of the synod, 2026 compensation guidelines for rostered leaders, and changes to restricted funds. A resolution calling for the synod council and administration to engage with neighboring synods in a conversation toward restructuring synod boundaries was adopted. We elected a synod secretary, synod council members, and members of the Committee on Discipline and Consultation Committee. Only two positions required a ballot; the others had only enough nominees for the positions. Still, we had to run two ballots because of a tie vote.
Perhaps of most significance for the near future of the synod, a resolution to establish a “Bold Ideas” grant program for synod ministries was adopted nearly unanimously. This program will offer grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to help current or new ministries develop ideas for reaching new and untapped constituencies.
Our ELCA representative, Norma Malfatti, brought her energy and enthusiasm to the report from Churchwide. She also met the evening before with our Bishop’s Discernment Team to talk about our engagement with congregations discerning their future; and she agreed to preach at our new start ministry in Bloomsburg on Sunday.
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