The Conference of Presidents (COP) met Jan. 13-16 for its regular winter meeting. Among the items discussed and decisions made were:
- The Congregations Committee of the COP will meet with two committees of the Synodical Council (SC) in February. As in the past, such joint meetings provide an opportunity for continued close cooperation and communication between the COP and the SC.
- The Ad Hoc Commission II has held two face-to-face meetings and plans teleconferences in January and February. The commission continues to examine a wide variety of ways to make improvements in the way the various entities of the synod carry out their work. The commission recently invited input and suggestions from across the synod and will be considering the input received.
- The COP received a report on the Wartburg Project. The Wartburg Project is an effort being undertaken by WELS and Evangelical Lutheran Synod pastors to produce a new translation of the Bible. It is entirely a volunteer effort and, in keeping with the convention decision, is not receiving financial support or direction from the synod. It was reported that many volunteers have been working to produce sample translations of both Old and New Testament books. Members of the synod will be invited to provide reactions and suggestions for improvement. [GJ - UOJ fanatics are in charge, so forget this one.]
- With only 25 graduates available from the seminary this year (compared to recent class sizes in the mid-30s), it’s clear that not all congregations requesting a seminary graduate will receive one. District presidents will work with congregations to explore other options. The COP will adopt guidelines for prioritization of requests. It should be noted that this class is unusually small and that class sizes will return to normal in the coming years. There are currently 52 congregations with pastoral vacancies. It’s estimated that about 30 of those will be requesting graduates.
- Layman Ronald Conradt and teacher Shawn Herkstroeter were re-appointed to serve on the Commission on Lutheran Schools. Rev. Jonathan Brohn was also appointed and is currently considering the request to serve.
- The COP discussed with concern the matter of Thrivent’s grants to Planned Parenthood. These concerns have been relayed to Thrivent, and Thrivent’s response will have a direct impact on decisions the synod may need to make with regard to accepting Thrivent grants in the future. [But the "divinely called giving counselors are Thrivent salesmen all.]
- Divine calls to Christian giving counselors serving in semi-retirement positions were renewed for another year. A permanent call was issued to Mr. Carl Leibner, who has completed the synodical certification process. [They get commissions for their sales. Run!]
- The Ministry of Christian Giving has submitted initial plans for the 2015-2016 debt elimination offering. This synodwide offering will seek to completely retire the synod’s capital debt, which will free up $1.6 million annually for other mission and ministry programs. Congregations will be asked to set a congregational goal by July 2014. Any offerings received beyond those needed to retire the debt will be placed into the Financial Stabilization Fund. [Not buying bankrupt bars for alcoholic pastoral playpens would free up money, too.]
- The COP passed a resolution asking the synod’s Constitution Committee to evaluate and assess the “Executive Council” format for church governance and to prepare an alternate model constitution that would guide congregations considering such a structure.
- The COP continues to be concerned about the need for principals in our elementary and secondary schools. Those concerns will be relayed to the Commission on Lutheran Schools and to Martin Luther College with the goal of finding solutions to this problem.
- The COP held initial discussions to address the need for the synod and its congregations to serve more effectively the generation of members now in their 20s and 30s. More attention will be devoted to this topic in the coming months. The COP also discussed ways in which we can work together to help congregations in decline due to changing demographics and local economic situations.
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| WELS cannot give up either one. http://www.wels.net/news-events/conference-presidents-holds-winter-meeting |
Serving in Christ,
President Mark Schroeder
President Mark Schroeder
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| You will not miss their nastiness. |