SC, COP address challenges and opportunities
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
Two important meetings took place last week as WELS leadership groups discussed the mission and ministry of our synod.
On Thursday, the Conference of Presidents (COP) and the Synodical Council (SC) met in a rare joint session. The joint meeting was intended to provide a forum in which these two leadership groups could discuss their respective responsibilities and to improve communication and mutual support.
The two major issues on the agenda were the Ad Hoc Commission's recommendations, which will be submitted to the 2009 synod convention in July, and the planning for the synod's program of ministry in light of the recent global economic downturn and its impact on financial support of WELS' operating budget. (For details, please see the special Nov. 10 edition of "Together.")
Ad Hoc Commission Chairman Joel Voss provided an overview of the commission's recommendations, along with the rationale for various recommendations. The joint discussion provided the members of the SC and the COP with valuable insight into the views of the respective groups.
The Synodical Council has the responsibility of formulating and proposing the synod's budget to the convention; the Conference of Presidents has the responsibility of encouraging congregations and individuals to support the budget with their offerings. These two different functions are closely related and interdependent. The joint discussion presented an opportunity for both groups to work together in the budget process as it moves forward in the coming months.
The joint meeting was seen as valuable by both groups; it's likely that similar joint meetings will take place on an annual basis.
On Friday and Saturday, the Synodical Council held its regularly scheduled meeting. Following are some of the most noteworthy actions:
- The SC accepted a recommendation from the Compensation Committee that the synod salary schedule for called workers provide for an increase of one percent to the base salary in each of the next two years, plus it bumped up the cap on salary increases from 30 to 31 years of service. When experience increments are included, the overall average salary increase for workers with less than 31 years of experience will be approximately 2.25 percent, roughly equivalent to the rate of inflation. (The original planning had provided an average increase of 3.5 percent—because of economic conditions, the actual increase was less than planned.)
- The SC received a report from Chief Financial Officer Todd Poppe that the operating surplus in 2007-08 would be utilized to achieve a balanced budget for the current year. Cost-cutting efforts by all areas of ministry will also help to ensure that the 2008-09 budget remains balanced.
- All areas of ministry have submitted initial ministry plans and budget requests to the SC as the budgeting process begins. In view of the recent financial news, the SC has asked all areas of ministry to revisit their plans and to identify strategies for reducing their funding requests.
- The SC provided responses to all areas of the Ad Hoc Commission report and recommendations. Reaction to most recommendations was favorable; in a few instances, the SC has forwarded questions or suggestions to the Ad Hoc Commission as the final report is being prepared.
The Synodical Council has begun to address the challenges created by the recent financial news. Many options are being considered and some steps have been taken already. The SC is committed to doing all it can to enable the synod to carry out its mission and ministry priorities in keeping with convention resolutions and the financial resources that God provides. The SC realizes that many decisions will hinge on things that we do not know at this time. For example, the results of the Year of Jubilee effort and the Congregation Mission Offering commitments will not be fully known until sometime in January. Until those details are clear, the SC will continue to explore all options and consider a variety of strategies to address the challenges before us.
Please keep both the SC and the COP in your prayers as our leadership groups wrestle with some difficult decisions. Above all, join them in continuing to trust in the promises of our gracious God as he prepares to bless us in ways that we do not yet know.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
Filed Under: , Ad Hoc Commission, Budget, compensation, Conference of Presidents, COP, Finance, Offering, salary, SC, Synod Finances, Synodical Council
Top Stories
Compiled by WELS Communication Services
Year of Jubilee takes on added urgency
Given the worldwide economic downturn and its impact on the amount certain individual donors are able to give to the work of the synod, the special Year of Jubilee debt-elimination offering is taking on added urgency.
As reported in last week's special edition of "Together," one individual, who last year committed to give about $3 million a year for five years for the synod operating budget, has announced he will not be able, at this time, to fulfill his commitment for the next fiscal year. Another foundation, which this calendar year gave about $8 million toward synod operations and ministry, has indicated it will have to significantly reduce that amount next year.
Despite the shortfall, Rev. Dave Liggett, director of WELS Ministry of Christian Giving, remains upbeat. "When we are facing tremendous challenges in life it is mighty tempting to forget that thanks to Jesus, every moment of our lives is a moment of jubilee, a moment of the Lord's favor," he says. "The greatest debt of all, the debt of sin, has been forgiven. The cancelation of that debt definitely gives us reason to celebrate."
In that spirit, the Year of Jubilee offering was authorized by the 2007 synod convention with a goal of eliminating the synod's $22.4 million debt, to free up nearly $2.7 million in debt payments for other ministry. To date, congregations and individuals have been moved to offer more than $780,000 toward Year of Jubilee.
Congregations are encouraged to kickoff the Year of Jubilee celebration this Sunday, Nov. 23. The Ministry of Christian Giving is providing worship, Bible study, and promotional resources for the next four Sundays, culminating Dec. 14 with a special DVD presentation that compellingly demonstrates the Holy Spirit at work through our mission dollars—saving souls for eternity.
Congregations are encouraged to submit a collective offering from all of their members—individuals can also make gifts online.
Filed Under: Christian Giving, donation, Finance, gift, jubilee, Year of Jubilee
WELS members safe in midst of wildfires
Although wildfires continue to rage in Southern California, WELS members in Yorba Linda are safe after fires passed through the surrounding area this past weekend. The fires, which are estimated to have destroyed more than 900 homes and scorched approximately 40,000 acres, began last Thursday.
Approximately 20 members of Grace in Yorba Linda—including one family whose home was destroyed—had to evacuate Saturday. Ten of them spent the night at the church, which did not sustain any damage. All have since returned home.
"We had a wedding Saturday afternoon and by that time the smoke was getting pretty thick—the fire was on the edge of Yorba Linda," says Rev. Daniel Wagenknecht. "At the end of the wedding, a teenager ran into the church and told me his house [was destroyed] and he couldn't locate his family." Wagenknecht says phone service was spotty because of the fires; however, half an hour later the boy's family was able to get through and let him know they were safe and staying at a relative's house.
After the boy's parents picked him up, Wagenknecht says he went home and packed his things. He and his family also had to evacuate, and headed to the church where Wagenknecht began ministering to the other displaced families. "We are just thankful that the Lord protected both life and property," he says.
WELS Committee on Relief is sending $7,500 to Grace to help the member family that lost its home. Some of those funds will also provide immediate assistance to affected community members. According to Wagenknecht, more than 90 homes in Yorba Linda were destroyed; however, he says most homeowners in the area—including the affected WELS family—have insurance.
Filed Under: California, Committee on Relief, Fire
New BME administrator called
WELS Board for Ministerial Education (BME) met today and called Rev. David Wenzel, professor at Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Appleton, Wis., to be the new BME administrator. The call meeting was scheduled after Rev. Paul Prange, president of Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, declined the call Nov. 6.
Wenzel has served at Fox Valley Lutheran High School since 1991. He also served at St. Paul, St. James, Minn., and the former Martin Luther Preparatory School in Prairie Du Chien, Wis.
Rev. Donald Sutton, BME chairman, says getting a new administrator won't be the board's only change in upcoming months; next year all of the executive committee members will be finishing their terms. "There are going to be some big-time transitions," says Sutton. He adds that he's looking forward to getting someone on board soon, "so that we have a leader as we go through the present challenges and make plans for the future."
Filed Under: BME, Ministerial Education
Forum to share ministry blessings
To help WELS congregations reach more people with the gospel, the Board for Parish Services is hosting a national leadership forum. Leaders from 30 congregations across the country that have been blessed with significant growth in worship attendance over the past ten years are meeting in Milwaukee, Wis., Nov. 16-18 to discuss ministry trends, identify opportunities and challenges, and share ideas.
"This leadership forum is being held in response to the fact that worship attendance across the synod has been declining for the last 17 years," says Rev. Bruce Becker, administrator of Parish Services. "Our ultimate goal is to learn from these congregations: what they are doing and how God is blessing those efforts. And we want to share those ideas with other WELS congregations in similar ministry settings."
To prepare for this forum, Becker says each participating congregation was asked to gather feedback from its members. "We asked them, 'What factors, beyond the power of the gospel, do you believe are contributing to God's blessing of numerical growth in your congregation?' " says Becker. "We received 100 pages of responses that are encouraging and positive."
Becker says information and ideas coming out of this forum, which was funded by special gifts and a grant from Thrivent, will be reviewed for common themes and shared with synod leaders. "Although the forum is designed to be a blessing to all of our WELS congregations, I'm convinced the congregations involved will also benefit as they learn from one another about God's amazing blessings," says Becker.
Filed Under: BPS, forum, leadership, Parish Services
WELS VEBA open enrollment reminder
Only two weeks remain in the current open enrollment and plan election period for WELS VEBA health plan coverage. Eligible WELS workers who wish to enroll in the WELS VEBA health plan and current WELS VEBA members who wish to change their plan options must complete and return the appropriate form to the Benefit Plans Office by Dec. 1, 2008. Enrollments and changes will be effective Jan. 1, 2009.
Because this will be the last WELS VEBA open enrollment period for at least the next two years, eligible workers should carefully consider this opportunity to enroll themselves and any dependents not currently covered under WELS VEBA.
For the first time in ten years, WELS VEBA rates will not increase for any participants in 2009. In fact, nearly one-third of current participants will receive between a 2 and 26 percent rate decrease next year. This should provide a measure of financial relief to sponsoring organizations and allow the WELS VEBA plan to be much more competitive on a cost-basis in many areas of the country.
Forms and other materials for the open enrollment and plan election period as well as 2009 health plan rates can be found at www.welsbpo.net. For more information, contact the Benefit Plans Office at 414-256-3860.
Filed Under: Benefit Plans, benefits, VEBA
Shepherd Plan Solution Webinars
For individuals and organizations seeking more information about the Shepherd Plan Solution, WELS' new 403(b) retirement plan, providers AUL OneAmerica and Hahn Financial Group, Inc., will present Webinars on Nov. 21 and Dec. 5 at 10 a.m., CST. To access the live Webinar, please click on the links below about five minutes before the Webinar begins to download system updates (if required). If the link does not activate, please copy and paste the URL into your Web browser.
Friday, Nov. 21
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/intercall1/join?id=FS662Q&role=attend&pw=P%7EwJ2ww
Friday, Dec. 5
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/intercall1/join?id=CJ3K8S&role=attend&pw=P%7EwJ2ww
Once you have accessed the Webinar site, dial the following toll-free number and enter the conference code according to instructions:
Toll free: 877-867-1262
Conference code: 6307949300
The Webinars will run approximately one hour. Recordings of the Webinars will be available for viewing after each session. Instructions on how to access the recorded sessions will be posted to the Shepherd Plan Solutions Q&A's.
WELS in the news
"WELS in the news" is a new feature that will periodically highlight WELS congregations, schools, or individuals featured in local or national media for positive reasons.
One of two WELS regional high school choral festivals, held at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, New Ulm, Minn., was featured in the Nov. 17 issue of The Journal.
A story about David Fleischmann, new pastor at Beautiful Savior/Trinity, Austin, Minn., appeared in the Nov. 8 issue of the Austin Daily Herald.
Students at Trinity, Brillion, Wis., were featured in the Nov. 5 issue of The Post-Crescent after holding a mock presidential election and inviting almost 4,500 kids from 87 other WELS schools across the country to participate.
If you hear of congregations making local or national news in your area, let us know.
Spotlight on Streams: Year of Jubilee video
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A video to help pastors promote the Year of Jubilee, a special offering to eliminate the synod's $22.4 million debt, is now available on Streams. In the video, member Perry Lawson shares how he found the precious good news about grace at a WELS home mission: Beautiful Savior in Las Vegas, Nev. Watch it online.
Note: a hard copy of this video—and other Year of Jubilee resources—were mailed to all congregations in June. If your church did not receive this package or misplaced it, please contact the Ministry of Christian Giving for a replacement.
