Meeting in a special joint session last week, the synod's two leadership groups—the Synodical Council (SC) and the Conference of Presidents (COP)—took a serious look at the challenges and opportunities facing our church body and a plan for charting our direction, under God, in the years ahead.

The majority of the joint meeting centered on a detailed discussion of the synod's long-range comprehensive plan. Discussion at the joint meeting provided an opportunity for the COP and the SC to discuss all areas of the plan and to provide suggestions for improvement. The SC has directed the task force developing the ministry plan to consider input from the COP and the SC and to present a revised draft to the SC prior to the district conventions in June for reaction and feedback. District input will then be considered before a final plan (with an accompanying budget) is presented to the 2011 synod convention for approval.

As the groups met in their regularly scheduled individual sessions, each addressed a number of other issues—also with an eye to the future.

CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS

  • The COP reviewed the significant progress being made in efforts to create a program for continuing professional and spiritual education of called workers.
  • The COP spent considerable time making plans for assignment days at Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Since many things can change in the coming days, it's too early to report the exact number of requests for graduates or whether or not there will be unassigned candidates. Anticipating the possibility of unassigned candidates, both MLC and WLS have been identifying possible places for graduates to serve in temporary ministry settings while awaiting permanent placement.
  • The COP discussed Congregation Mission Offering (CMO) subscriptions for 2010, which declined slightly from the previous year. But it is encouraging that actual CMO offerings for January through March 2010 are above the amounts projected. Since CMO is the primary source of financial support for the synod's work, we pray that congregations can continue to meet and exceed the projections.
  • Walking Together is an effort to help congregations emphasize the work of the synod. All congregations will be encouraged to participate in this annual celebration of the mission and ministry that we carry out together as a synod.
  • The Ministry of Christian Giving will present the Christ's Love, Our Calling four-year stewardship program at the district conventions in June.
  • A special committee will examine the costs of the vicar program and bring recommendations to the COP as to how the program might become more affordable for more congregations.
  • The COP discussed progress in refining the structure and programs of the Congregation and Ministry Support Group (formerly Parish Services). The COP officially established a new Commission for Congregational Counseling. This commission, with its director, will provide short-term assessment and advice to congregations seeking to identify ways to improve their ministry. The COP has recognized the need for filling four vacant or planned CMSG positions, but with the limited budgetary support available only one position can be filled. (See the complete description of COP plans for CMSG in the accompanying story in this issue of "Together.")
  • The COP held a discussion with various groups carrying out mission work in East Asia. The discussion centered on the importance of continuing cooperation, improved communication, and consistent approaches in carrying out mission efforts.

SYNODICAL COUNCIL

  • The SC held extensive discussions on the very preliminary financial outlook for the next biennium (beginning in July 2011). Thanks to the strategy put in place last year, the Financial Stabilization Fund (FSF) may make it possible to avoid significant reductions in ministry for the remainder of the current biennium. Had the FSF not been in place, funding below the amount budgeted from foundations and CMO would have required corresponding reductions to ministry already in 2010 and 2011. The outlook for the first year of the next biennium (beginning in July 2011), however, contains some significant reasons for concern. Historical levels of increases in CMO, as well as the realization of the already reduced CMO and foundation support, point to a possible annual shortfall of three to four million dollars. The FSF provides for a year of time in which this shortfall can be addressed, either by making careful and advance decisions for ministry reductions in 2011, or, preferably, by giving the members of the synod the opportunity to provide increased financial support for existing or expanded ministry.
  • Missionaries and other WELS members traveling abroad are facing increased risks to their safety and security in many parts of the world. The SC discussed a proposal for an international travel policy (drafted by World Missions) as a means to enhance the safety of our workers and to outline procedures in situations where WELS workers are in danger. The SC hopes to have a final policy in place in the near future.
  • The SC adopted the salary schedules for 2011-12 and 2012-13. After two years of frozen salaries, the schedules for the next biennium include inflationary increases of 2.6 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively.
  • The SC adopted an investment policy for permanently restricted funds and endowments, which will enable a more effective use of the proceeds in support of the mission and ministry of the synod.
  • The SC received a complete financial update from Chief Financial Officer Todd Poppe. That financial report is included in this issue of "Together."

Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
President