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Synod

Florida-Bahamas Synod Logo

The Florida-Bahamas Synod is administered by the bishop of the synod, the Synod Council, and the highest legislative authority, the Synod Assembly.

The Reverend Edward R. Benoway is the current bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. He is was elected in 2001 at the Annual Assembly of the Synod. Bishop Benoway, with the assistance of his staff, are responsible for carrying out the daily work of the synod under the direction of the elected Synod Council and Annual Synod Assembly.

Subcategories

  • Administration and Finance
  • Synod Council

    Synod CouncilThe Synod Council of the Florida-Bahamas Synod consists of both lay and clergy who are elected by the Synod Assembly. There are four officers, including the bishop who acts as the president. The Synod Council is the board of directors of the synod and serves as the interim legislative authority between meetings of the annual Synod Assembly. The Synod Council:

    • Exercises trusteeship responsibilities on behalf of the synod;
    • Recommends program goals and budgets to the regular meetings of the Synod Assembly;
    • Carries out the resolutions of the Synod Assembly;
    • Provides for an annual review of the roster of ordained ministers and of other official rosters, receives and acts upon appropriate recommendations regarding those persons whose status is subject to reconsideration and action under the constitution and bylaws of the ELCA and make a report to the Synod Assembly of the Synod Council's actions in this regard;
    • Issues letters of call to ordained ministers, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers as authorized by the ELCA;
    • Fills vacancies until the next regular meeting of the Synod Assembly in the incapacity of an officer of the synod;
    • Reports its actions to the regular meetings of the Synod Assembly; and
    • Performs other functions as needed.
  • Conferences

    The congregations of the Florida-Bahamas Synod are organized into 15 conferences (click for map) that are coordinated by a Dean and a Chair (click here for a list of their duties). The conferences are to foster interdependent relationships among congregations, institutions, and synodical and churchwide units for mission purposes. The purpose and function of each conference includes:

    • studying the Holy Scriptures and Christian doctrine and promoting such study within the congregations;
    • quickening and deepening the spiritual life of rostered ministers and laypersons;
    • cultivating Christian fellowship;
    • providing a forum for discussing matter of local interest and concerns;
    • discussing the mission of this church;
    • supporting the total program of this church and of this synod, including responsible involvement in meeting the financial needs for the mission of this church and this synod; and
    • serving as a working unit of this synod to promote the mission of this synod and this church in that conference and among conferences.
    Click here for a map of all the conferences.
  • Synod Staff

    The staff and volunteers of the Office of the Bishop of the synod are professional lay and rostered individuals serving God and the church through the building of relationships on a regional and national level. They serve as the link among congregations, synods, partner agencies and with the national expression of the ELCA. Their areas of expertise include a large variety of vital resources for congregations, leaders and members in the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Click here for a staff listing.

  • Together In Mission

    Together in Mission is about growing Christ’s Church in our time and place. A new vision of collaboration and support within our synod ... A way of being the church together ... A desire to deepen our relationships with one another and our commitment to work for justice and care for those in need.

    Through the Together in Mission Appeal we will provide the dollars needed to launch this vision for our shared ministry within our synod and at the same time provide dollars and resources to support our brothers and sisters in the Lutheran Church of Haiti during this time of great need.

    Download the Together in Mission Sunday Litany for March 25, 2012.