The Synod nurtures discipleship and spiritual depth through intentional practices of study, prayer, and discernment.
The Synod nurtures discipleship and spiritual depth through intentional practices of study, prayer, and discernment. The Theology and Spiritual Formation Pillar invites the church into deeper theological reflection that is both rooted in scripture and responsive to contemporary challenges. By fostering spaces of spiritual growth, leadership development, and faithful imagination, the Synod equips individuals and communities to live out their callings with courage, clarity, and hope.
Team membership will primarily consist of Synod Commissioners, with additional invitations extended to members-at-large from across the Synod to ensure diverse participation. The group will meet quarterly in preparation for Synod Assembly gatherings. The Stated Clerk and Synod Leader will resource the pillar.
Since worship serves as the foundation of our gatherings, it is crucial to have a group dedicated to providing meaningful worship opportunities for the body. A worship element will be present for each of the Assembly meetings. At the third (Fall) gathering each year, the group will plan a worship service that will have a more prominent role in the structure of that meeting. This could include, but is not limited to, a guest preacher, liturgical art, and special music. The team also aspires to include a teaching moment or other element that is presented in a new way so that the Synod body can use those elements in their own ministry contexts.
We affirm that as people of faith, we are continually called to deepen our relationship with God and to discern God’s purposes for the church. The Synod’s history reflects a legacy of leaders and commissioners who have faithfully guided its mission with prayer and discernment. Building upon this strong foundation, the Synod seeks to bring renewed intentionality to spiritual formation as an integral dimension of Assembly life.
To that end, a Spiritual Formation Team is proposed to support the Assembly’s work through prayerful grounding, theological reflection, and opportunities for spiritual growth. This group will assist the Assembly in maintaining a posture of discernment and spiritual attentiveness in its deliberations. As part of its charge, the group will design and lead a spiritual formation component for each Assembly meeting, ensuring that the Synod’s governance remains rooted in faith and responsive to the movement of the Holy Spirit.
The pillar will assess its impact through ongoing feedback, participation tracking, and reflection. After each Assembly meeting, participants will provide brief feedback on personal growth, engagement, and application to ministry. At the second (Spring) Assembly meeting, a more prominent spiritual formation experience will be offered, with a comprehensive evaluation of offerings, relevance, and effectiveness. The group will adjust topics, formats, and scheduling based on feedback. Biennial reflections will assess cumulative impact and application in ministry contexts.
The timeline for evaluation includes: