The Northelbian Synod
The Northelbian Synod is the “parliament” of the Northelbian Church and together with the Church Council and the Bishops’ Collegiate is one of its three governing organs. There are 140 members of the Synod, among them 69 lay people, who are mainly elected by the 27 Church District Synods. Some are also elected by the pastors and the employed staff, 12 synod members are called by the Church Council.
The Northelbian Synod discusses all matters relating to the church, it passes the budget including the list of employed positions, accepts the annual financial report and decides how the church tax should be distributed within the Northelbian Church. It passes laws and regulations and elects the three Northelbian Bishops. The Synod is run by a president and two vice-presidents, at the present time the President is Hans-Peter Strenge. The presidents are elected from out of the Synod. The Synod also elects the Church Council and the members of its committees from among its members. Six permanent committees help to prepare the synods: the Finance committee, the Auditing committee, the Standing Orders committee, the Nomination committee, the Legal committee and the Service Jurisdiction committee. Besides these, other committees work on separate subjects, and can be given tasks as required. Such committees are the Media committee, the Environment committee and the Committee for Equality and Community between Men and Women. Committees are also specially elected to prepare synods on certain subjects, for example the synods on the subjects “World Economy and Justice”, “Marriage, family and other forms of Living Together”, “Ecumenism – the other Globalisation”, “Christians and Jews”, “The Future of Work” and “Voluntary Work”. Twice a year in February and in September, the parliament comes together for Synod meetings. Beyond that special synods and study days take place. The Synod meets in Rendsburg and in Hamburg.
Bettina Dübler
