The National Synod was held in Dallas, Texas, from March 21–23, 2025, bringing together district rectors, and a delegation of young adults and emerging leaders from across the United States. This year’s gathering marked a significant expansion in participation, with over 100 attendees engaged in a weekend of spiritual reflection, leadership development, and collaborative dialogue.
The Synod began with an address by District Apostle John Schnabel, centered on Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” He emphasized that as members of the body of Christ, we are called to live as citizens of a heavenly kingdom, visibly demonstrating God’s love and grace in the world. His message encouraged participants to embrace their identity as that “city on a hill,” living in such a way that Christ’s light shines through them.
The schedule included group presentations, breakout discussions, a panel discussion, and workshops on topics such as mentoring, effective preaching, women in ministry, and engaging young adults. These sessions provided space for honest conversation, intergenerational interaction, shared learning, and vision-casting for the future of church life and leadership.
On Sunday, members from local congregations joined for a divine service. The sermon, based on 1 Peter 3:9 -“…not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” - was recorded and distributed to congregations across the U.S. as the preaching portion of their divine service experience the following week, creating a unified spiritual experience nationwide.
