Synodical Council addresses relocation issue
In this issue: WELS members respond to critical need in Indonesia, Bible translation information
Synodical Council addresses relocation issues
The Synodical Council (SC) held its regular fall meeting on Nov. 4 and 5. At that meeting, the SC addressed recent developments in the plans to relocate the synod administrative offices.
The move to the newly acquired building in Pewaukee, Wis., had been tentatively scheduled for mid-December. These plans have now been put on hold. Only days before the end of the “due diligence” period, the developer who had signed an offer to purchase the current administration building unexpectedly withdrew that offer, stating that he had concluded his planned project for the site was not financially feasible for him at this time.
The SC is committed to reducing the financial risk to the synod. It determined the best course of action is to consider all options and appointed a task force to weigh the options and evaluate additional information as it is gathered. These options include making new efforts to find a buyer for the current administration building as well as pursuing the possible sale of the newly acquired building. The task force will bring possible courses of action to the Executive Committee of the SC. Full SC approval will be necessary before any final actions.
In other business, the SC received reports from support departments and from subsidiary organizations. It also received reports from each area of ministry on progress made in implementing the “In Christ Alone” long-range plan. The plan will be continually monitored and adjusted as necessary. In order to implement the plan as adopted by the synod convention, Congregation Mission Offerings will need to begin to increase again; the total given by congregations for the synod’s work has remained virtually flat for the past three years. The SC was informed that the Conference of Presidents will be addressing this challenge in the coming year.
One other note—the SC directed the administration to work with other synodical entities (such as synodical schools and subsidiaries) to reduce or eliminate duplication of staffing and programs in finance and technology.
The next meeting of the Synodical Council is scheduled for February 2012.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
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