The Conference of Presidents (COP) met last week and discussed a wide range of issues. Its key decisions impact the new Congregational and Ministry Support Group (CMSG), reconfigured from the former area of ministry known as Parish Services and now refocused on supporting congregations by helping to better equip called workers.

The COP decided to issue calls in February for two positions: a permanent director of Lutheran Schools (a position now held on an interim basis by Greg Schmill) and a director of Youth Discipleship. The COP also tentatively decided to issue a call in April for the director of Congregational Planning and Assessment, the entity that will succeed the Parish Assistance program, which offers individualized consulting services to congregations.

The COP appointed a committee to recommend how congregational needs will be met when the Parish Assistance program comes to an end in June. The issuing of this call will depend on the recommendations of the committee now developing the new program. The committee will look at all options for serving congregations, including the establishment of a new commission with newly defined responsibilities. The committee will begin meeting in early February and will bring recommendations to the COP in April.

The COP's discussions about CMSG took place in view of the reduced budget adopted for those ministries. Due to budget reductions, the vacant position of director of Adult Discipleship cannot be filled at this time. Additionally, the proposed position of coordinator of Early Childhood Education will not be established at this time.

Other key developments from the COP meeting include:

  • In keeping with a convention resolution, the COP appointed a committee to review the doctrine of the divine call, particularly as it relates to the termination of divine calls for financial reasons. The committee, comprised of Prof. John Schuetze, Prof. Joel Fredrich, and Pastor Peter Prange, will submit a progress report to the COP in October and a final report to the synod convention in 2011.
  • After a year in which the synod Statistical Report was available only online, a printed version of the 2009 report—now being prepared—will be made available for purchase through Northwestern Publishing House. The report will also be available online.
  • The COP began discussing areas of input that the COP will have in the long-range planning process being overseen by the Synodical Council. All areas of ministry and leadership groups will have input into this process. Some of the issues already raised include finding ways to ensure that synodical and parasynodical efforts are coordinated, the impact of demographic changes on the synod's mission and ministry, challenges faced by small rural congregations, and the potential use of digital technology in carrying out our mission. The Synodical Council and the COP will meet jointly in April to address long-range planning issues.
  • In the event that there are unassigned candidates at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and Martin Luther College in May, the COP has encouraged both schools in their efforts to identify temporary ways for unassigned candidates to serve until they receive their assignments.
  • Planning continues in the effort to enhance and improve the circuit pastor system. In the coming months, district presidents will lead their circuit pastors in the discussion of a revised circuit pastor handbook and in a review of the duties of circuit pastors.
  • The Ministry of Christian Giving will oversee the development of the four-year stewardship program left incomplete when the administrator of Adult Discipleship accepted a call elsewhere. Authors have been identified for this project.
  • The COP looks forward to the day when WELS can once again begin to expand our mission efforts with new openings and additional mission manpower. Many opportunities have been identified. To a great extent, our ability to do this will depend on financial support provided through Congregation Mission Offerings. The COP will continue to encourage congregations to unite behind the joyful challenge of providing the resources to support expanded mission efforts.

Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder