COP concludes winter meeting
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
Last week I had the privilege of meeting with the Conference of Presidents (COP) for the second time. I went away from that meeting once again impressed with the faith, the dedication, and the zeal shown by these men who have been called to serve as the shepherds and spiritual leaders of our 12 districts.
The Conference of Presidents is divided into five committees: leadership, funding, education, operations/outreach/communications, and doctrine. The issues that come before the COP are given to the various committees to discuss and formulate recommendations. As you can see from the names of the committees, the topics under discussion are wide-ranging and diverse.
Among the matters discussed or decided were:
- The COP reaffirmed that Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO) are the primary and foundational method of support for our synod's various ministries. In view of that, the COP and WELS Ministry of Christian Giving will continue to stress the continuing primacy and importance of CMO. At the same time, the COP recognizes that from time to time specific needs arise in the church that must be addressed and must receive special attention from our people. When that becomes necessary, the COP and the Ministry of Christian Giving will work to ensure that all appeals for support—including CMO, individual mission offerings, and specific needs—will be gospel-based and will clearly and faithfully utilize biblical stewardship principles. The COP will take special care concerning the number of special funding requests that are brought before the members and congregations of the synod. (You can read about the most recent encouraging report from WELS Chief Financial Officer Todd Poppe elsewhere in this issue of “Together.” The news is very good—another reason to thank God for his grace and to thank his people for their generous and joyful response.)
- The COP reviewed the plans in place for the gathering of the Year of Jubilee offering, which was authorized by the synod convention last summer to eliminate the synod's $22.5 million internal debt. These plans will be shared with the district conventions next summer, with the actual synodwide start for the offering beginning in the fall. Several districts have decided to make an early start in this effort.
- Various topics relating to doctrine and practice were discussed, such as worship, outreach, congregational organization/structure, and the role of the synod in assisting congregations. Most, if not all, of these issues will be discussed in pastoral conferences in the coming year and in future meetings of the COP.
Many other items could be added to this list. No matter what the issue under discussion, it's clear that the Lord has given these dedicated men as gifts to his church. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue their important work.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
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