Leadership Development will be the priority of the Synod of the Trinity for the next three years. During a special called meeting in the 291st year of the Synod of the Trinity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Synod Commissioners voted to work with this focus by electing one Coordinating Team for Leadership Development.  This new Coordinating Team will utilize Work Groups, Task Forces, and/or Action Teams to live out this priority.

Commissioners also took action to approve that “Synod organizational and financial resources will be allocated primarily to those projects, relationships, and organizations that demonstrate their intentional efforts and measurable results to identify new leaders and to train, coach, and equip all leaders.”

A job description submitted by the Synod Personnel Committee for the position of Associate Synod Executive was approved and a Search Team will be named at the June meeting of the Synod.  The new Associate position will be focused on communication strategy, Synod Mission Networks, and leadership development.

Synod Moderator Mary Speedy (Elder, Carlisle) named members to a Communications Work Group that will be staffed by Synod Executive Bruce Stevens. This Group will develop a comprehensive communication plan for the Synod and report on that strategy in October 2008.  Moderator Speedy also named members of a Network Task Force that will, initially, be staffed by Synod Stated Clerk Lesley Shoup and then will become the responsibility of the new Associate Synod Executive. This Task Force will work with Synod Mission Networks throughout the 16 Presbyteries of the Synod.

The Finance Committee, through Synod Treasurer Chantal Atnip, presented a motion to fund the work of the Leadership Development Coordinating Team, as well as the additional work of the Synod Leadership Team (Synod Officers) from reserve funds of the Synod. This was unanimously approved.  A three year budgeting plan will be presented in October in order to give financial expression to the Leadership Development priority.

The next stated meeting of the Synod will take place on Thursday, June 5, 2008, from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM during the Summer Conference.  This Conference will be held June 4-6, at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.  The theme, “Jesus Sent Them…Why Are We Here Now?” will focus on transformational congregations and Bible study with the Rev. Dr. Ken Bailey and the Rev. Dr. Kang Na.  Information about the missional church will be provided by the Rev. Dr. Pat Keifert, Director of Church Innovations. Worship is being coordinated by the Rev, Dr. Judy Angleberger.