May 14th proposal
TO BE TAKEN TO YOUR CHURCH COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL OR REJECTION BEFORE JULY 30TH.
With full understanding that my congregation is not “my” church or “my” mission, but rather the Lord’s work---
With prayerful consideration that our churches are sometimes existing rather than in mission—due to building upkeep, clergy compensation packages and other expenses---
With hearts full of love and a desire to proclaim the resurrected Christ in this place and in this time and in the most effective ways---
Knowing that all of us are God’s beloved children and that He will grant us grace to work together to proclaim his wondrous love, we propose the following:
THAT YOUR CONGREGATION WILL MAKE A FIRM COMMITMENT TO ‘PLACE IT ALL ON THE TABLE” –EVERYTHING—OUR ASSETS AND MONEY, OUR DEBTS, OUR STYLE OF WORSHIP, OUR PEWS AND WHATEVER ELSE IS DEAR TO OUR HEARTS TO A COMMITTEE*. THIS COMMITTEE WILL PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER SITUATIONS, NEEDS AND ASK GOD’S GUIDANCE IN DICERNING 3 OPTIONS WHICH THEY WILL PRESENT BY SEPTEMBER, 2011.
AT THAT TIME, THESE OPTIONS WILL GO BACK TO YOUR CHURCH COUNCIL FO R APPROVAL AN DIF ONE OR MORE ARE APPROVED, THEY WILL THEN GO TO THE CONGREGATION FOR A VOTE (See attached timeline).
July---Vote by council to place it all on the table.
September—vote by council to accept committee’s recommendation/s and after this vote present to the congregation for their vote.
Committee will consist of the following: 3 members from each committed congregation and their pastor, one or two community members who are disinterested parties and one to two folks from the Synod office. Leaven project workers will also be included.
