October 23, 2004

Plans for National Convention Renewal Dropped

The ELCIC’s National Church Council has recently announced that in light of the negative feedback received, they have decided not to proceed with their planned recommendations to the 2005 National Convention to modify the convention participation model. The proposed changes would have radically altered the delegate participation and selection process for National Conventions. For example, in comparison with the current model which allows for 510 eligible delegates, the two proposed models would have brought about a radical (82-89%) reduction in the overall number of delegates and consequently the influence of the congregations on church policy.

The announcement at the ELCIC web site http://www.elcic.ca/ is reproduced below:

Two issues, Communication and Convention Renewal, have loomed large on National Church Council (NCC) agendas in recent years. Both pose significant questions for the effectiveness of the work of the national church. Every congregation would be affected in some way. It seemed only fair to ask ELCIC members for insight into the dilemmas faced by the council on their behalf.

Task forces were assigned and surveys conducted. Responses flooded in, many respondents taking the time to gather in small groups to consider their responses. Summary reports from both task forces were received by the September 2004 NCC meeting.

The National Convention Renewal Task Force questionnaire proposed two models for consideration. A response rate of between 10–12% is estimated (202 responses from 600 congregations and 100-1400 synod convention attendance). The table below summarizes the results.

Model 1
34%
Model 2
29%
Neither model
37%


The Task Force felt that the surveys conveyed a strong reaction against the proposed models. The NCC agreed and passed the following motion.

CC-04-74 MS That the Convention Renewal Task Force report to the 2005 Convention concerning:

  • the learnings from the questionnaire process;
  • an explanation of the decision to bring no recommendations concerning the two suggested models for change and;
  • a clarification of the implications of remaining with the current processes.