The 12 districts are all meeting in convention this month. One important item on each agenda is the Synodical Council's (SC) initial draft of the Long-Range Plan 2017. Convention delegates are asked to discuss the plan and forward reaction and input to the SC for consideration in a final proposal.

King David expressed complete confidence in God's care and providence when he wrote in Psalm 31, "My times are in your hands." Christians recognize that the God who knows the number of the hairs on their head is also the one who has promised to guide all things to serve their eternal good. We look to the future with confidence that God will accomplish his will among us, and that no detail of our lives will escape his gracious and watchful eye.

As we look to the future with that kind of trust, however, it does not mean that planning for the future is somehow out of place or improper. God has also called us to be stewards and caretakers of all that he has entrusted to us. Wise planning for the future is nothing more and nothing less than wise and responsible stewardship of God's blessings.

The last synod convention recognized this truth when it called on the SC to develop a long-range plan for the mission and ministry of the synod. This plan was to describe where we, as a synod, hope to be in the year 2017. It was to establish the direction, the emphases, and the priorities of our synod for the coming years—all with the clear understanding that as we make our plans, it is God alone who will determine how those plans will be blessed.

The SC began work on the plan in the fall of 2009. A subcommittee of the SC was asked to develop a draft proposal. After some refinement and with input from the Conference of Presidents, the draft is being presented to the districts this month. Once the input of the districts is received, a final proposal will be adopted and submitted to the synod convention in 2011.

The long-range plan is not intended to be a complete and detailed description of all that the synod will do in the next six years. It is rather a broad road map of what we hope and pray to accomplish, under God, as we move forward.

The long-range plan will establish general goals. It assumes, once those goals are adopted, that each area of ministry will be entrusted to develop the detailed plans and strategies to achieve those goals. It is assumed that this plan will be continually adjusted in keeping with changing circumstances. It is also intended that the plan will be extended every two years so that we are always planning the synod's work at least six years into the future.

You are invited to view the draft proposal with the understanding that there may be changes.

Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
President