LiveLeakers - The WELS COP Minutes - Mostly Boring and Secretive

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Conference of Presidents

January 4-9, 2013

A G E N D A

Saturday, January 5

8:30 a.m.         Bible study (wives welcome!)                                                       John Seifert

District President Seifert led us in a Bible study on 1 Peter, making reference to particularly the matter of suffering unjustly as a Christian in the world today. [GJ - This is especially ironic, since the DPs cause so much of it, with their apostasy, hardness of heart, and persecution of the Gospel.]

9:00 a.m.         Plenary session – preliminary business

           

            Consent agenda

CA.01 Minutes, October 2011 meeting and November and December  2011

            teleconferences1

Motion made, seconded, and carried to accept. 

P.01     Approval of the agenda

P.02     President’s report

President Schroeder reported on the progress of the sale of the two properties that the synod owns.   There are a couple of prospective offers on the table.   CMO still looks good for the end of the year.  Subscriptions for next year already look encouraging. 

P.03     Preview and initial discussion of committee tasks

P.04     Future meetings and significant dates

            April 3-5 @ SAB                 8:30 AM Wednesday to Noon Friday

May 16-18 (at MLC)

May 16-17:                   Assignments (begins 8:00 am)

May 17                          MLC Commencement concerts (4:00 &7:30 PM)

May 18                          MLC Graduation (10 AM) and call service (2:30 PM)

May 20                                  Meet at SAB

May 21-24 (at WLS)                         

May 21:                         Vicar assignments (begin 8:00 am)

Vicar call service (7:00 pm)

May 22:                         Pastor assignments (begins 8:00 am)

May 23:                         WLS Call day service (10:00 am)

May 24:                         WLS Graduation (10:00 am)

                                                July 29-August 1                Synod Convention at MLC

10:00 a.m.       Plenary session – personnel

P.05     Green sheet review and update 1

The DP’s spend a considerable amount of time discussing various situations in their districts where individuals would benefit from the ability to consider a call. 

P.06     Interviews, inquiries, and colloquy update

P.07     Special situations

A number of special situations were discussed and district presidents offered advice to those who brought up the particular situations in their district. 

P.08     Retirement calls

P.09     Vacancy profile

A poll of the districts indicated about 30 parish pastor vacancies, 6 part-time, 2 professorships and 5 others, for a total of 43 vacancies.  Preliminary

1:30 p.m.        Plenary discussion (see list) or possible committee meetings

3:15 p.m.        Plenary discussion or possible committee meetings

                       

Sunday, January 6

Morning        Worship at area churches

The member of the COP divided up to attend local WELS congregations.  Several served as preacher for the day and several led Bible studies at the congregations. 

                                                                                                           

Afternoon     Group activity

Monday, January 7

8:00 a.m.         Bible study                                                                                       John Seifert

Pastor Seifert continued with his study of the ways in which we, as Christians, may have to suffer for our faith.   We concluded our devotion with the singing of a hymn.

Tuesday, January 8

8:30 a.m.         Bible study                                                                                       John Seifert

Pastor Seifert continued his study of 1 Peter and led us in a discussion of how suffering for Jesus’ sake affects us particularly as pastors and district presidents. 

9:00 a.m.         P.10 Plenary:  Calling for CCC director

A call was extended by the COP to Jonathan Hein to serve as the CCC director.  This call is a limited (2 year) call, and requires the individual called to still serve in his present parish, but would be assigned a graduate assistant to compensate for the time he spends on establishing the CCC program.

9:30 a.m.         P.11 Plenary:  NPH presentation 1                                             John Braun

Rev. John Braun joined out meeting to explain a variety of things that NPH has in the works, including a possible catechism revision, an update on the plans for the 500^th anniversary celebration of the Reformation, and Forward In Christ.

                          Catechism survey

The Kuske text has not been revised in quite a few years.  NPH sent out a survey that helped them determine what kind of catechism they should seek to produce for pastors, if a revision/new type of catechism is to be made.  A number of very interesting “reflections” were formulated from the information that the pastors sent back.   NPH will continue to work toward the production of materials that will assist pastors in  teaching the catechism/doctrines of Holy Scripture to the youth in their congregations.

                          Reformation 500

A logo for the celebration has been produced, three Bible studies will be made available, DP’s are being encouraged to assign district essays focusing on our Lutheran heritage, district rallies are encouraged, NPH will reissue several books on Lutheran topics, a biography on Luther is being reviewed, and a new work on the Augsburg Confession is being prepared.

                          FIC Centennial

NPH continues to provide a voice for the WELS through FIC.   AT present FIC is self-supporting.  In order to not jeopardize the revenue stream that keeps FIC self-supporting it is looking at ways to go digital.

10:45 a.m.       P.12 CECW presentation                                                   James Huebner

Vice President James Huebner presented the resolutions that the CECW hopes to send to the 2013 synod convention with the approval of the COP.   The members of the COP thoroughly discussed the proposed resolutions.  VP Huebner took note of the discussion and stated that he would take the gist of the discussion back to his committee. 

11:30 a.m.       Plenary discussion

1:00 – 5:00      Committee meetings

                       

5:00 p.m.        Adjournment

Wednesday, January 9

7:00 a.m.         Plenary discussion and/or resolutions

8:30 a.m.         Bible study                                                                                       John Seifert

Pastor Seifert continued with his Bible study on “Our Savior Surrounds Our Suffering, based on 1 Peter. 

9:00 a.m.         Plenary discussion and/or resolutions

11:00 a.m.       Adjournment

COP January 2013

Called Workers Committee

W.01  Develop Guidelines for retirement calls

Background:  There are currently no comprehensive guidelines for congregations and called workers when retirement calls (or “semi-retirement calls”) are being contemplated.

The Called Worker Committee recommends the following revised guidelines be adopted:

 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Conference of Presidents

Guidelines for Congregations Considering Calling 

A Retired Pastor To Serve 

Definition:  A retirement call is a one year renewable call extended by a congregation to an individual who has fully retired, which will allow him to work less than 20 hours per week (in order to comply with WELS VEBA pension requirements and Social Security requirements if applicable.)

Criteria for Congregations

1. The congregation will pay an appropriate amount of compensation for the work that is required.    The congregation will arrange for all allowable tax deductions, including utilities and mileage allowance. Reasonable moving expenses should be provided for the pastor when he arrives and when he leaves. The congregation should consider paying the retirees’ health insurance premiums.
2. The congregation will provide adequate housing, if needed.
3. The congregation will do its best to maintain reasonable congregation mission offerings.
4. The pastoral work requested should be limited in scope and spelled out in writing.   (Congregations should keep in mind the amount of preparation time required for various pastoral duties.)

5.    A formal call should be issued with the right of mutual renewal each year. 

Guidelines for Retirees Considering 

   A Retirement Call

Qualifications:  The pastor who is considering a retirement call….

1. Should be in general good health.
2. Should be flexible regarding type of service and willing to work toward congregational growth (not just in a holding operation of a “dying” congregation).

Guidelines for District Presidents 

1. A questionnaire will be sent out by the synod office  to all pastors 60 years of age and older to determine those interested in a retirement call.
2. District Presidents are responsible for disseminating information to pastors on opportunities to serve after their retirement.
3. District Presidents will have access to a data base listing those interested in receiving a retirement call.
4. District Presidents should share locations where retired men could serve.

ADOPTED

W.02  Caribbean ministerial education

Background:  The WELS mission in the Caribbean has made proposals regarding the training of “native” workers.

The Called Worker Committee recommends the adoption of The Caribbean Ministerial Education Proposal.  ADOPTED

W.03  Teacher certification revisit

Background:  This issue was discussed at a previous meeting and a resolution was passed.  Due to communication problems, however, the COP misunderstood the concerns of MLC and the adopted resolution did not address those concerns.

We concur with the opinion that training for the teaching ministry in the WELS is best accomplished at MLC.   However, we do not feel that the moratorium proposed by the MLC Administrative Council will solve the problem of using the certification program as an alternative to an individual receiving his or her teaching degree at MLC.   Therefore we reiterate our recommendation that the COP not adopt this proposal.    ADOPTED

 W.04  Changing minds on retirement plans

Background:  There have been instances in which called workers have announced certain retirement plans and dates, only to “change their minds” later as the date approached.  This causes difficulties for congregations making plans for the future.

The Called Worker Committee does not see this as a major issue requiring the formation of a policy.  The Called Worker Committee asks that District Presidents include in their district or conference reports an encouragement to those who have officially reported to their congregation and/or the synod their plans to retire, not to rescind their decision once it has been made. 

W.05  Provisional calls for non-MLC graduates in specialty call

Background:  It is recognized that there are times when a non-MLC graduate will be called to serve in an area requiring a specialization not provided by MLC.  Since such calls are extended to non-certified teachers, by policy those calls should be extended provisionally.

Since there is already a policy that states that non-certified teachers who receive calls should be given provisional calls, the committee feels that there is no need for a policy designed specifically for those who have “specialty calls”?

W.06  Use of recent MLC graduates on call lists

Background:  There have been questions regarding the time when a graduate of MLC can receive his/her first call. 

The Called Worker Committee concurs with District President Guse, who has suggested that  “ no graduate of MLC  be used on a call list until having fully completed three years of service”  in the call to which he or she was assigned.   ADOPTED

W.07 Initial Compensation For Second Career Graduates

The Called Worker Committee reaffirms the current practice when it comes to initial compensation for second career graduates.    We also recommend that, if possible, the nature of and duration of previous career experience be made available both in the seminary graduates assignment book and on Progress.  ADOPTED

W.08   Pastoral Staffing Of Smaller Ministry Settings

The Committee decided to defer this item until our April meeting in order to have more time to consider the ramifications.

Rev. David Rutschow, Chm               Rev. Robert Pasbrig               Rev. D.J. Engelbrecht

Rev.  James Huebner                                    Rev. Donald Patterson

Congregations Committee Report

C.01  CCC Director position and plans

The Congregations Committee reviewed the director position description and will present it to the COP prior to issuing a call.   (This was done and the call was issued.)

C.02  Special offering for debt retirement

The Congregations Committee recommends a special synod-wide offering for debt elimination commencing in 2015 and concluding with the 2016 district conventions.

Resolution for 2013 synod convention:

SUBJECT: Debt Elimination

Resolution: 2015 Debt Elimination Program

WHEREAS                  1) five years ago a special offering resulted in our synod’s capital indebtedness being reduced by $4.2 million from $22.4 million to $18.2 million; and

WHEREAS                  2) since then the synod has made payments against the debt and donors have contributed an additional $700,000 towards debt elimination so that the debt now stands at $8.8 million and is projected to be about $5 million by the 2015 convention; and

WHEREAS                  3) the complete elimination of WELS capital debt would impact our budget by a positive $1.6 million dollars; therefore be it

RESOLVED                 a) that at the 2015 synod convention a special synod-wide offering for debt elimination be launched; and be it further

RESOLVED                 b) that all WELS congregations be encouraged to participate in this offering and observance; and be it further

RESOLVED                 c) that we pray that God bless this offering so that it would be successful in eliminating all synodical debt; and be it finally

RESOLVED                 d) that this special offering and observance come to a conclusion at the 2016 district conventions.

Motion carried.

C.03  Home Missions strategic plan

The Congregations Committee thanks the BHM for sharing this document with it. It also thanks the Lord for our home mission brothers and their dedicated efforts. It appreciates the time and effort expended in producing this document. The committee members, however, did not feel qualified to speak to the specifics of this document since it is unaware of the background, issues, discussions, etc., that produced it. The committee does suggest, however, that the BHM and its DMBs contact the respective district president about congregations that they deem unhealthy.* 

*Note: This is the type of work that the newly initiated CCC will be doing.

C.04  Designated Day for Walking Together Sunday

The Congregations Committee disagrees with the effort to select a particular Sunday of the year for the Walking Together Sunday, but it encourages that the MCG continues producing the excellent materials so that congregations can use them at their discretion as has been done in recent years.  ADOPTED

C.05  Final memorial for District Council

                The synod bylaws currently state:

ARTICLE XIII

District Council

Section 1. The districts shall have a district council. The council shall be composed of the president, the vice presidents, the secretary, synodical council lay member, the circuit pastors, the chairmen of the district boards, commissions and committees and coordinators.

Section 2. The council shall meet at least once a year to counsel together in matters pertaining to the welfare of the district. At the discretion of the president, it may meet more often.

Section 3. The council shall nominate a slate of candidates for election to the nominating committee of the district, composed of at least two nominees for each position. The slate of

candidates shall be sent to the convention delegates at least 30 days prior to the

convention.

Section 4. The council shall submit a written report of its activities to the regular district

conventions.

Section 1 (rewrite)

The districts MAY have a district council which would be composed……

Section 5 (new)

In districts without  district councils, the nomination of a slate of candidates for election to the district nominating committee shall be done by the circuit pastors of the respective conferences.

C.06  Final memorial for district legislation committee

                The Congregations Committee agrees with the wording as is.

To:                          Convention 2013 Constitution Committee

From:                    WELS Conference of Presidents

Date:                     October 12, 2012

The WELS Conference of Presidents requests that a change be made to the Constitution for the Districts, Article XVII, Legislation Committee.  Below is that section, with proposed changes in red:

Section 1. If it is deemed to be valuable to a given district, The president and vice presidents may appoint a district legislation committee from each state in the district as the synod’s interests may require or designate another standing district committee (e.g. the District Constitution Committee) as the district legislation committee.

Section 2. The committee shall take note of bills introduced into the state legislatures and provincial assemblies in their district which may affect the interests of the synod. In cases where the interests of the synod may be affected, the committee shall inform the district president and the synod president. The district president and the synod president shall take such action as they deem necessary. 

C.07  Youth Rally timing

The Congregations Committee thanks the Commission of Youth Discipleship for their information and rationale on the timing of future youth rallies and encourages the CYD to continue its planning and efforts.

Respectfully submitted,

Chairman, Rev. John Guse

COP January 2013

Doctrine Committee

D.01 Women professors at MLC
Background: Long-standing discussion item addressing concerns about the role of women serving as professors at Martin Luther College.

The Doctrine Committee will discuss this issue and present its findings at a future meeting of the COP consistent with our doctrine and practice and providing direction and guidance for remaining unresolved issues.

D.02 Women lectors in worship
Background: A COP member raised the question about the propriety of using women as lectors in worship services. Initial consensus agreed that this is a practice that should not take place in our churches in view of the biblical statements on authoritative teaching as well as how the divine call to the public ministry comes into play.

The Doctrine Committee will discuss this issue and determine whether this matter should be addressed by COP policy resolution, a consensus agreement, or by some other means. 

D.03 Choir fellowship issue

Background: Questions have been raised about the practice of Lutheran high schools and colleges having non-WELS/ELS members as a part of choirs and other musical groups that participate in worship services.

For resolution by the COP:

The Doctrine Committee would like reaction and feedback from the plenary COP in preparation for a meeting with the executive committee of the Association of Lutheran High Schools (ALHS). The Doctrine Committee would like to meet with the ALHS leadership to determine what issues our high schools and colleges are wrestling with relative to this matter.

Following our meeting with the ALHS leadership, the Doctrine Committee would like to produce a study document for use in our high schools and colleges, so that we can grow together in our understanding of the Biblical principles of fellowship and God-pleasing applications. We hope to achieve consensus around God’s Word and consistency in practice across our synod.

D.04 Military Chaplaincy
Background: The COP has received a document suggesting a possible change in the WELS view of the military chaplaincy.

The Doctrine Committee will react to the document and determine if further action is required.

D.05 Question from seminary student on COP policies regarding pornography
Background: A seminary student working on his senior project has asked for specific COP policies regarding the way that pastors involved with pornography are dealt with.

The Doctrine Committee recommends that due to its complex nature another topic be considered for a senior thesis project. 

Herb Prahl, Chairman

Jon Buchholz

John Seifert

Earle Treptow

Don Tollefson

Plenary Discussion items:

            PD.01  Called workers with non-WELS spouses

·         One item of discussion involved called workers who marry spouses that are not of our fellowship and do not wish to join our fellowship.  The COP has a policy in place already when it comes to assigning graduates who are married or plan to be married to non-WELS individuals, who are not in the process of becoming communicant members of the WELS.    It was moved that some sort of procedure be put in place to flag those who are already serving who are married to non-WELS spouses so that calling bodies would be aware that such a situation exists before they would extend a call to such an individual. 

            PD.02  Intrepid Lutherans

·         Another item involved the Intrepid Lutheran website.  There is a concern that those who still wholeheartedly support this group by being “signers” are also supporting a pastor who has been removed from the ministerium of the WELS for doctrinal reasons, because he has been given a forum on their website.  The consensus was that each district president should approach pastors in their district who are listed as “signers” on the website and determine whether or not they are in support of the false doctrine that the suspended pastor espouses.   

            PD.03  Pornography use among called workers

·         There is a concern that there may be an increasing problem with the use of pornography among called workers, reflecting a similar problem in our society in general.   There are a number of programs available to help deal with this problem, should a congregation or a district presidium be faced with this issue.

            PD.04  Post-CRM men preaching (“licensed” preachers)

·         This item was deferred by the Called Worker Committee in order for us to more fully discuss the issue and its ramifications.

            PD.05  Future of the off-site meeting

·         There should be funds available yet from the Thrivent grant to continue the practice of one off-site meeting for one more year.

            PD.06  Time of Grace board membership

           

·      President Rutschow did not have anything new to report on the issue of Time of Grace and its board membership.  The SEW district is continuing to work with TOG to resolve any issues that remain.

            PD.07  Special support payments

·         DP’s were reminded that congregations are responsible for the 3 months support of called workers whose calls are terminated or who resign for the good of the kingdom.  Thereafter the synod may provide support for another 3 months (declining amount) if application is made.  It should be noted that synod support is not automatic, but that individuals who apply for synod support must submit documentation on income and expenses on a monthly basis to determine whether/how much support can be offered.

            PD.08  Access to Progress by former DP’s

·         Giving access to Progress to former DP’s has not been a policy in the past.  We do not feel that a change in policy in this regard would be advisable.

            PD.09  Appointment of Caleb Bassett to the hymnal project

·         This appointment was made.