The term “synod” is used in different ways in different denominations. Among Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians it means a meeting of leaders of the church. The pope may convene a synod of the bishops by calling them to Rome. Among some Lutherans such as the Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Synod, the term refers to the national denomination which grew from a small group in the state for which it is named into a national denomination. Among Scandinavians there was a similar use of the term to denote the national organization along ethnic lines. There used to be a Norwegian Synod and, among Swedes, the Augustana Synod. But among other Lutherans it referred to a subdivision of the national church, and this is the way the term was used in 1987. So the ELCA has a Northwestern Minnesota Synod, an Eastern North Dakota Synod, a Montana Synod and so on. We also have a Metropolitan Chicago Synod, a Minneapolis Area Synod, and a Metropolitan New York Synod, each named for a large city where there are enough Lutherans in the metro area to constitute a synod.
The term “synod” comes from the Greek language (synodos) meaning “to walk with.” The NW MN synod is the group of people with whom we are walking the road of discipleship in this quarter of the state. It covers 21 counties, has its 241 congregations organized into ten conferences, has about 98,000 members, and has 369 ordained pastors and rostered lay leaders. That’s a lot of people!
The term “synod” is a good term for how we relate to other Lutherans nearby. When we are called to follow Christ we are called to walk not only with him but with those others who are following him as a band of pilgrims who are loving, forgiving, and welcoming.
In Luke 8:1-3 it says, “….[Jesus] went on preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits…and many others…..” To some it seemed a strange amalgam of fishermen, tax-collectors, and women who traveled the roads of Galilee, Samaria, and eventually Judea with Jesus. They were very different in their histories, reputations, and finances, but they were united in their devotion to Jesus, so they journeyed together as “great multitudes accompanied him” (Luke 14:25) even when he “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).
In the part of the world we call Northwestern Minnesota the church may seem established and settled and quite respectable. And yet we are all called to journey with Jesus through time into the future along with those other Lutherans around here who have called him their Lord and Savior. At times we may be disgruntled with some of those traveling with us, as ten of Jesus’ disciples were of James and John when they asked for prominence in the kingdom (Mark 10:41). And occasionally there may be a thief among us like Judas (John 12:6). As much as we may want to travel with only the good and gracious, we are called to travel forward also with those who have a lot learning to do and those who stumble along the way and those who sometimes slow us down.
The NW MN Synod has had some rough going the last few years, yet it looks like a better road ahead. The synod’s finances have stabilized and are now stronger than ever. It looks like we may have the first two-term bishop in our history if, as expected, the synod assembly re-elects the current bishop in June. Despite the problems, when we look back over the last 25 years we have much for which to give thanks. Above all we continue to preach the gospel, administer the sacraments, and invite others to join us on the journey.
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