Executive Summary of Building Our Future A Search Conference

							         Executive Summary

                    of

         Building Our Future
        A Search Conference

                   For

   The Saskatchewan Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada




                  Facilitator:
               Wayne Hellquist
           Future Quest Consulting
The Objective

On November 9 - 11, 2001, members, stakeholders and employees of the
Saskatchewan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada met to
develop a plan for the future of the Synod by creating a vision to better fit the
future needs of the Saskatchewan Synod. Through collective learning the
participants identified where the Synod is now, which direction the Synod should
go in and the strategic goals to move the Synod to the future vision. The format
for this intensive dialogue was a Future Search Conference - an innovative
strategic planning approach for imagining a preferred future, involving a cross
section of the community and focusing on a common ground, not problems.

The Future Search Conference approach enabled the participants, numbering
approximately 34, to put the Synod into a historical and global perspective. Over
the three-day period participants discussed the past, the present, and the future
of the Synod. At each phase, events and trends were considered and their
impact on the Synod assessed. By the time the conference reached the final
day, and a discussion of the future, a clear planning context and mutual
understanding of the future for the Synod had developed.




The Past

Conference participants focused on five decades, spanning the years 1950 to
2001, from a personal, global, and community/societal perspective. After listing
events over this period, conference participants discerned a number of common
themes and explored the relationship between the various timelines.

Personal themes mentioned most often included:
          Ü Family milestones
          Ü Career changes
          Ü Personal achievements
          Ü Community activities

Provincial/National/Societal milestones noted:
           Ü Church mergers and splits
           Ü "Me first"
           Ü Technology changing the way we do things
           Ü More awareness of others
           Ü Loss of trust


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Future Search Conference – Executive Summary
Global milestones included:
          Ü Technological advances
          Ü Changes in leadership
          Ü More awareness
          Ü Globalization
          Ü Media influence

For the Synod, significant themes were:
          Ü Traditional concepts are changing
          Ü Church is not representative of the population
          Ü Economy is in crisis
          Ü Lots of change in all areas of people's lives
          Ü Globalization
          Ü Acknowledgement of indigenous communities
          Ü What society accepts and expects is changing
          Ü Increase in social consciousness
          Ü Decolonization




The Present

Building on the historical context, conference participants moved on to identify
the implication of the past and the present in determining future actions and
directions. The question was, "What does the past mean for them as they begin
to plan for the future?" What are the lessons in the information and what can
they learn from it, what can they build on as they go forward?

Participants were asked to scan and identify current and emerging trends and
demands in the community, throughout the world, within the Synod and within
the membership that the Synod must plan for.

They considered the information presented to them from the focus groups, along
with their own understanding or analysis of the data. Through brainstorming in
small groups they identified those trends and demands that will have the
greatest impact on the Synod and its ability to accomplish its aims and affect
change.

The groups were asked to analyse the strengths and weaknesses in all areas of
the Synod, to identify the things they were "proud of" and "sorry for". At the
same time participants were asked to create a list of the things they would like to
create, or things that aren't currently being done.




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                                                      Future Search Conference – Executive Summary
Areas of pride (prouds) included:
      Ü Sound grounding of our theology of grace
      Ü A structure of inclusiveness
      Ü Lutheran high schools, camps and colleges
      Ü Opportunities for education for laity and clergy (Lay Pastoral Assistant
          for example)
      Ü Resilience of synod
      Ü Ecumenical spirit
      Ü Movement away from "canned" programs
      Ü Rainbow Days
      Ü Lutheran Care Communities
      Ü ELW
      Ü Conventions
      Ü Ordained women are more graciously received
      Ü Diversity yet consistency
      Ü Campus and Native Ministries
      Ü Newsletter
      Ü Strong leadership

Areas of concern (sorries) included:
      Ü Tendency to become ethno/cultural groups
      Ü Too much focus on office of the Pastor
      Ü Lack of preparation of Pastors for dealing with the fragmentation of
          society
      Ü We - They
      Ü Turf protection
      Ü Lack of "practical" resources / resource development
      Ü Poor clarification of roles in structure
      Ü Poor communication in all areas
      Ü Unaware of resource people available
      Ü Lack of training for leadership roles
      Ü Size of the Synod
      Ü Extended vacancies
      Ü Not enough mission activity
      Ü Not doing anything to keep the youth interested

Need to create for the future:
      Ü Database of resource people
      Ü Map to show where everyone is
      Ü Synod Convention agenda to build "common ground"
      Ü Unified vision - spiritual leadership
      Ü Clarification of role of Bishop
      Ü One Western Synod
      Ü Huge workshop jamboree
      Ü Hire co-ordinator
      Ü Create energy
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Future Search Conference – Executive Summary
The Future

The next step was for the participants to talk about the future. What it might
look like. They were asked to create the ideal future scenario for the Synod.

Participants were then asked to develop and describe the most desirable future
state for the Synod. They created scenarios, for the year 2010.

This exercise of transporting ourselves to the future allowed the participants to
design and create something that builds on the Synod's strengths and capacities.
The point of these exercises was to create an understanding that what was
talked about is very doable. None of it was beyond the capacity of the Synod to
achieve.




Common Ground

Finding common ground is one of the fundamental principles of the process of
Future Search.

Participants participated in a mind-mapping exercise to discover the common
ground for the future of the Synod. Conference participants identified the
following common areas:

Top Trends:
          Ü Courageous Church
          Ü Celebrating together - whole Church
          Ü More fellowship - less structure
          Ü Better communication
          Ü Mission
          Ü Clarifying / defining roles
          Ü Developing resource base (enabling / equipping)
          Ü Broadening leadership base
          Ü Church is the centre of community




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                                                      Future Search Conference – Executive Summary
Final Key Trends

The participants then split into groups of two to discuss what they considered
the most important areas (trends) for future emphasis, reviewing what they are
doing now and might be in the future. It became evident that considerable
activity and effort is being directed at these trends.


         Ü Courageous Church

         Ü Celebrating Together

         Ü Centre of Community

         Ü Developing Resources

         Ü Clarifying and Redefining Roles

         Ü Broadening Leadership Base

The key themes represent the primary areas within which long-term strategies
are to be developed to move the Synod successfully into the future.




Planning for the Future

On the final day of the conference, participants began thinking about strategies
and resources needed to move forward towards the achievement of the desired
future state. The following are goals and recommendations to the Synod on how
to proceed more towards this future state.


1. Courageous Church
Some of the goals identified for this area were to see that faith remains an
integral part of the church; to develop an intentional ongoing process of listening
to the people and responding actively and objectively; to engage the people of
the Synod in conversations about possibilities for being in the ministry; to
empower the people to take risks in being people of God; to be willing to
consider the possibilities of structural change in all sorts of ways; to be open to
new possibilities in worship and to be more understanding / accepting of the
diversity within the Synod.

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Future Search Conference – Executive Summary
2. Celebrating Together
Some of the goals identified for this area were to create a desire for the
congregations to come together; to create a desire to celebrate; intentionally
welcoming everyone; recognizing gifts that Lutheran tradition and doctrine bring;
recognizing all gifts of spirit; events and gatherings that create renewal and
inspiration; creating a wider sense of community.


3. Centre of Community
Some of the goals identified for this area were to grow the campus, schools, care
homes, camps and church from the common ground developed by
understanding the Lutheran theology, tradition, history and faith; to more
effectively utilize all available resources; to support the church as central to
mission of institutions; to provide support; and supply leaders.


4. Developing Resources
Some of the goals identified for this area were to value and affirm all people and
their gifts; to enable and equip clergy and laity; and to recreate together.


5. Clarifying and Redefining Roles
Some of the goals identified in this area were for congregations to have a sense
of being part of the Synod and knowing its purpose and owning it; to
empower/change/combine conferences; and to begin to clarify the role of Bishop
and Synod before convention.


6. Broadening Leadership Base

Some of the goals identified in this area were equipping members to lead;
members have to have a place, ability and empowerment to lead; members
mean "all". Members have municipal opportunities which match their skills and
abilities (gifts); the church utilizes partnerships and external resources; church
uses ecumenical resources and provides its resources to others; we have a
purpose; don't reinvent the wheel; synod work can be done at home; everyone
is able to do something for the Synod from their own desk.




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                                                     Future Search Conference – Executive Summary