Nebraska Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Synod Council Minutes Voting members present: Bp. Brian Maas Dara Troutman Dan Friedlund Dn. Karen Melang Pr. Greg Berger Dennis Byars Pr. Sarah Cordray Patrick Gregory, PMA Pr. Don Hunzeker Natalie Julin-McCleary Pr. Lori Kitzing Pr. Jon Mapa Elysia McGill Pr. Nicki McIntyre Pr. Steven Peeler Pr. Jan Peterson Pr. Sarah Ruch Francisco Salazar Cindy Settje Staff and Organizational Presidents present: Ted Asay Bill Biggs Diane Harpster Nancy Johnson (NSWO) Lisa Kramme Pr. Steve Meysing Brenda Rivas Pr. Kristen Van Stee Absent: Kelsey Blum Pr. Juliet Hampton Leann Kersten Pr. Megan Morrow Bol Ngok Tom Olson (LMM) Pr. Rebecca Sheridan Pr. Richard Sheridan Dn. Timothy Siburg Dn. Connie Stover Guest: Dwight Thiemann, Barnabas Community, Lincoln Lisa Kramme led an opening spiritual practice. Pr. Kristen Van Stee presided at the Eucharist. Vice- President Dara Troutman gaveled the meeting to order, and the secretary called the roll. A quorum was present. Dara noted several changes to the agenda, including an additional motion. A motion to approve the agenda as amended was moved, seconded and adopted. A motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting of the Synod Council was seconded and adopted. Bishop s Report: A written report was available. Bishop noted that he has encouraged staffers to attend only one meeting a year. Chrism masses may be reinstated next year. He conducted a consultation with a First, Wilber, dealing with a variety of concerns. There was a $74,466 drop in mission share last year, almost all of which was from four congregations. Timothy Siburg has been doing concerted follow-up on Mission Share commitments and offerings. We ended the year in the black. Giving to Mission Field Nebraska (MFN) is up. The Mission Share experiment continues, giving churchwide less income. However, they also have fewer expenses due synods, rather than churchwide, distributing funds. Compensation guidelines for rostered leaders have been updated, with 3.5% raises. John Badeng s ordination was outstanding. Immanuel, Ceresco, disaffiliated with the ELCA to join the LCMC and NALC. We are still clarifying the role of the synod development director. We requested 15 first call candidates, got three, a problem which will worsen. Sow the Seeds is our effort to raise up leaders. Bishop has been meeting with deacons, of whom there are 29 in our synod, in re roles in the synod and entrance rites. Stacy Page 1 of 9
Martin is the new director of Lutheran Family Services. Assembly planning is well underway. United Lutheran Seminary is experiencing a difficult time. Dwight Thiemann, Executive Director of the Barnabas Community (which began as a ministry of Sheridan, Lincoln) told of their ministry: a free store, meals, worship, vision clinic, and food distribution. They are committed to a community style of ministry, with about 3,000 people involved last year. Their spiritual needs are served by Pr. Rhonda Bostrom. SC18.03.01: ADDITIONS TO BISHOP S REPORT RECOMMENDED: That the following rostered persons be approved for On Leave From Call status for one year: Name Date Bogart Nomad 12/13/2017 Nicholas Cordray 06/04/15 (family leave-6 yrs), 2016 2nd yr, 2017 3rd yr, 2018 4th yr. RECOMMENDED: That the existing Synod Council call to the following rostered person be renewed for one year: Ted Carnahan, Mission Developer at Spirit of Grace Worshipping Community, Holdrege, one year term, renewable, effective 7/1/2018. RECOMMENDED: That the following be approved for transfer to the Retired roster: Jonathan Jensen effective 1/1/18 Gretchen Ritola effective 1/1/18 David Sites effective 1/1/18 Sylvia Karlsson effective 1/1/18 Maria Szurpicki effective 2/1/18 MOVED SECONDED APPROVED As several changes are being recommended to the Synod Assembly agenda, there was consensus to remove item 1.A. from En Bloc consideration. SC18.03.02: En Bloc 1. SYNOD ASSEMBLY ITEMS B. Agencies and Causes: RECOMMENDED: That the following agencies and causes be authorized to present their needs to the congregations of the Nebraska Synod and that congregations be encouraged to receive special offerings for them in 2019: Immanuel Lutheran Family Services Midland University Mosaic Nebraska Lutheran Campus Ministries Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Oaks Indian Mission Tabitha and that this recommendation be presented to the Synod Assembly. C. Committees: RECOMMENDED: That the following committee members be ratified by the Synod Council: Minutes Cheryl Gerdes, First, Kearney, Chair Karen Melang, Synod Council Secretary Diane Harpster, Staff Liaison Two additional members to be determined Resolutions, Reference & Council Committee Ron Gunderson, St. Paul s, Grand Island, Chair Janet Byars, St. John s, Beatrice Page 2 of 9
Bill Koeber, Our Savior, Wayne Bill Biggs, Synod Council Liaison Rev. William Shaner, First, Lincoln Ann Sundberg, Immanuel, Chadron Rev. Steve Meysing, Support Staff Liaison RECOMMENDED: That Pr. Stephanie Tollefson be appointed as chair of the Nominating Committee. RECOMMENDED: That Ramona Edwards be appointed as chair of the Registration Committee. D. Auditor s Report: RECOMMENDED: That the Synod Council recommend to the Nebraska Synod in Assembly that the auditor s report for 2017 be approved once the report is received, conditional upon such report being a clean opinion. E. Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities: (See Document 3: Criteria for Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities, p. 59) RECOMMENDED: Whereas the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America s Church Council April 2007, Exhibit G part 2, it is required that all Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities be approved annually by the Synod Council and Synod Assembly. Motion: that the following assemblies be reauthorized as Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities: United Asian Evangelical Lutheran Ministry, Dakota City Fontenelle Community Church, Omaha Nile Lutheran Chapel, Omaha Sudanese Lutheran Fellowship, Grace Lutheran, Omaha Sudanese Messiah Worshiping Community, Ralston Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church, Holdrege Lakota Lutheran Chapel, Scottsbluff Iglesia Luterana San Andres, Omaha Followers of Christ, Lincoln F. Voting Privileges: RECOMMENDED: That in accordance with Synod Constitution provision S7.26. (This synod may establish processes through the Synod Council that permit representatives of congregations under development and authorized worshiping communities of the synod, under ELCA bylaw 10.02.03., to serve as voting members of the Synod Assembly, consistent with *S7.21.) the following persons be granted voting privileges at the 2018 Synod Assembly: United Asian Evangelical Lutheran Ministry, Dakota City Fontenelle Community Church, Omaha Nile Lutheran Chapel, Omaha Sudanese Lutheran Fellowship, Grace Lutheran, Omaha Sudanese Messiah Worshiping Community, Ralston Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church, Holdrege Lakota Lutheran Chapel and Center, Scottsbluff Luterana San Andres, Omaha Page 3 of 9
2. 2019 COMPENSATION GUIDELINES FOR PASTORS AND LAY ROSTERED PERSONS including parsonage guidelines (See Document 14 for the proposed Compensation Guidelines for Pastors and Lay Rostered Persons for 2019, pp. 84-96) RECOMMENDED: That the 2019 Compensation Guidelines for Pastors and Lay Rostered Persons be approved and presented to the Synod Assembly. 3. CONGREGATIONS: RECOMMENDED: That the constitution and bylaws for First Lutheran, South Sioux City, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for Messiah Lutheran, Grand Island, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution and bylaws for St. Paul Lutheran, Hardy, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for St. Peter Lutheran, Byron, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for St. Thomas Lutheran, Omaha, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution and bylaws for Zion Lutheran, Lincoln, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for American Lutheran, Cozad, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for St. John s Lutheran, Eustis, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for Salem Lutheran, Stromsburg, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for Holy Cross Lutheran, Beatrice, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for Immanuel Lutheran, Wymore, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for Our Savior s Lutheran, Wymore, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for Immanuel Lutheran, Coleridge, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for Concordia Lutheran, Concord, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for American Lutheran, Ashland, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution for Lord of Love Lutheran, Omaha, be approved. RECOMMENDED: That the constitution and bylaws for Messiah Lutheran, Aurora, be approved. 4. AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS: RECOMMENDED: To approve the request of Immanuel for the election of the following to the Immanuel Board of Directors: Michael W. McDannel for a first term (January 2018 June 2021) Cynthia A. Alloway for a first term (January 2018 June 2021) George A. Grieb for a first term (January 2018 June 2021) Clarence L. Nichols for a first term (January 2018 June 2021) RECOMMENDED: to approve the request of the Board of Directors of Nebraska Lutheran Campus Ministry Corporation for the appointment to the Board of Directors/Nebraska Lutheran Campus Ministry Corporation: Mike Bokoven A first three-year term commencing June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2021 Mike has been appointed by the Board of Directors/NeLCM to finish this year for Pastor Neal Anthony, resigned. The request is for a full three-year term as noted above. Mike is a member of St. Paul s Lutheran Church, Grand Island. MOVED SECONDED APPROVED SC18.03.03: RECOMMENDED: That the amended proposed Synod Assembly agenda be adopted as the order for business for the 2018 Synod Assembly being held May 31-June 2 and that the proposed agenda be presented to the Assembly for adoption. Pat Gregory gave an overview of the assembly agenda with particular attention to the election of a bishop. Page 4 of 9
MOVED SECONDED APPROVED SC18.03.04: RECOMMENDED: That the following individuals be appointed as the initial members of the 2019 Synod Assembly Planning Team, to be joined by up to five additional members appointed by the Executive Committee: Sherrill Echternkamp-Zion, Clay Center Lynn Echternkamp-Zion, Clay Center Ramona Edwards-St. Timothy s, Omaha Cheryl Gerdes-First, Kearney Pat Gregory-St. Thomas, Omaha Tom Garvey-St. Michael s, Omaha Mildred (Milly) Winkler-Our Savior s, Broken Bow MOVED by Bishop Brian Maas SECONDED APPROVED SC18.03.05: RECOMMENDED: To authorize the following as Mission Field Nebraska ministries through March 2019: Followers of Christ Prison Ministries, Lincoln Fontenelle Community Church, Omaha Iglesia Luterana San Andres, Omaha Lakota Lutheran Center and Chapel, Scottsbluff Sudanese Messiah Worshipping Community, Ralston Nile Lutheran Chapel, Omaha Sudanese Lutheran Fellowship, Grace Lutheran, Omaha United Asian Evangelical Lutheran Ministry, South Sioux City Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church, Holdrege Seeking the Spirit Within Table Grace Café, Omaha All the Children of God (formerly Todos los Hijos de Dios), Fairbury The Welcome Center, Lexington Lutheran Service Corp, Omaha MOVED by Bishop Brian Maas SECONDED APPROVED SC18.03.06: RECOMMENDED: That the following Rules of Procedure for the 2018 Nebraska Synod Assembly be recommended to the Synod Assembly: 1. Any voting member of the Synod Assembly who desires to add an item of new business to the agenda of the Synod Assembly shall present such item by 1:15 p.m. Friday, June 1, to the chair, who shall immediately refer it to the Resolutions, Reference and Counsel Committee. 2. A two-thirds vote of the Synod Assembly shall be required to add an item of new business to the agenda. 3. The Synod Assembly may consider and act on business agenda items en bloc, provided those business agenda items were recommended for such consideration by the Synod Council. En bloc business agenda items shall be acted upon without debate or amendment. Upon the request of a Synod Assembly voting member and a second by nine other voting members, any agenda item may be pulled from en bloc consideration and be considered and acted upon separately following action on the remainder of en bloc business agenda items. 4. Voting members desiring to present resolutions shall submit them to the Resolutions, Reference and Counsel Committee by 1:15 p.m. Friday, June 1. These resolutions (submitted after the 90-day Page 5 of 9
deadline) will be brought to the Assembly and require a majority vote to be debated on the floor and a two-thirds majority vote for passage. Any resolution properly before the Assembly and recommended by the Resolutions, Reference and Counsel Committee, but not disposed of by the end of the time allotted for action on resolutions will automatically be referred to Synod Council for study and action at its next regular meeting. 5. The Synod Assembly may consider and act on resolutions en bloc, provided those resolutions were recommended for en bloc consideration and approval, either as submitted or amended, by both the Resolutions, Reference and Counsel Committee and the Synod Council. En bloc resolutions shall be acted upon without debate or amendment, except that the presiding officer may allow the introducer of each en bloc resolution to speak to his or her resolution once for no longer than two minutes. Upon the request of a Synod Assembly voting member and a second by nine other voting members, any resolution may be pulled from en bloc consideration and be considered and acted upon separately following action on the remainder of en bloc resolutions. 6. All speeches in debate shall be limited to two minutes. 7. No motion or parliamentary action, other than a motion to adjourn, shall be in order outside of the time scheduled on the Assembly agenda entitled Assembly Business Session. 8. The ELCA churchwide representative to the Assembly will chair all portions of the business sessions that are related to the Bishop s election. BACKGROUND: Each year, the rules governing procedure at the Synod Assembly are offered as a resolution by the Synod Council during the Assembly's first business session. The proposed set of rules in this motion would, upon approval by the Synod Council, become that proposed resolution. MOVED by Bishop Brian Maas, on behalf of the Synod Assembly Planning Team SECONDED APPROVED SC18.03.07: RECOMMENDED: to grant voice and vote at Nebraska Synod Assemblies to the Rev. Robert Schlismann of the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, while he serves as Pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Stanton, Nebraska MOVED by Bishop Brian Maas SECONDED APPROVED SC18.03.08: RECOMMENDED: To release Immanuel Lutheran Church of Ceresco, Nebraska, from the roster of congregations of the Nebraska Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. BACKGROUND: By overwhelming majorities at two properly called and conducted congregational meetings held October 22, 2017, (31-yes; 4-no; 2 abstentions) and February 4, 2018, (26 yes; 1 abstention to disaffiliate and 27-yes; 0-no to affiliate with LCMC) the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran in Ceresco voted to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to join another Lutheran body. As a former congregation of the Lutheran Church in America, there is a constitutional requirement that the congregation be released by the Synod Council. There is no challenge to this release from members of the congregation who wished to remain affiliated with the ELCA. MOVED by Secretary Karen Melang, Synod Council Secretary SECONDED APPROVED SC18.03.09: RECOMMENDED: To approve a grant of $5,000 for the Project Embrace programs at Augustana, Omaha, and First Lutheran, Omaha. BACKGROUND: This budget request formerly came through Lutheran Metro Ministries. MOVED by Pr. Jan Peterson, Augustana, Omaha SECONDED APPROVED with one abstention Page 6 of 9
SC18.03.10: RECOMMENDED: To extend a Synod Council call to the Reverend John Gok Kuany Badeng to serve as Mission Developer at Nile Lutheran Chapel, Omaha, effective February 11, 2018. This is a three-year, renewable, term call. BACKGROUND: Pastor Badeng was ordained Feb. 11, 2018. MOVED by Bishop Brian Maas SECONDED APPROVED SC18.03.11: RECOMMENDED: To approve the following rostered synod staff housing allowance requests for the remainder of 2018 until changed by future action of the Synod Council. John Gok Kuany Badeng $10,000 MOVED by Vice-President Dara Troutman SECONDED APPROVED SC18.03.12: RECOMMENDED: To Approve a $2,493 (2.5%) increase in the defined compensation provided to Bishop Maas for 2018-19, retroactive to February 1, 2018, and adjust the corresponding estimated cost of benefits ($399) and add an additional $500 to his retirement benefit plan, for a total increase in benefits of $899. There will be no increase in his compensation in lieu of health insurance for 2018-19. MOVED by the Executive Committee APPROVED with one abstention SC18.03.13: RECOMMENDED: that the recommendation and rationale of the Resolutions, Reference and Counsel Committee pursuant to Synod Assembly Resolution 2018:1 be approved. BACKGROUND: The Resolutions, Reference and Counsel Committee have made the following recommendation: That Resolution 2018:1 not be adopted by the 2018 Nebraska Synod Assembly. The Committee recommends that the Synod Council and staff identify resources that could be used by rostered leaders in dealing with ideological divisiveness in our society to assist our congregations. It was deemed that a specific Synod task force is not necessary. SPONSORED BY: Bishop Brian Maas on behalf of the Resolutions, Reference and Counsel Committee MOVED APPROVED SC18.03.14: RECOMMENDED: That the recommendation and rationale of the Resolutions, Reference and Counsel Committee pursuant to Synod Assembly Resolution 2018:2 be approved. BACKGROUND: The Resolutions, Reference and Counsel Committee have made the following recommendation: That Resolution 2018:2 (in re celebrating the 50 th anniversary of women s ordination, uplifting the gifts of ordained women, and highlighting the barriers ordained women experience) not be adopted at this time as written, but that the Committee continue to work with the author of the resolution to provide as many as three separate resolutions derived from the current resolution for consideration by the 2018 Synod Assembly and bring those resolutions to the Executive Committee prior to the May 31 Synod Council meeting. SPONSORED BY: Bishop Brian Maas on behalf of the Resolutions, Reference and Counsel Committee MOVED APPROVED SC18.03.15: RECOMMENDED: To approve a Synod Council call to Transitional Ministries, three-year renewable, to Mary Frohs. BACKGROUND: Mary Frohs was assigned to the Nebraska Synod in the March candidacy assignment. She will begin serving as transitional minister at Zion, and Immanuel Zion, Albion. MOVED by Bishop Brian Maas MOVED APPROVED Page 7 of 9
Staff Reports: Written reports were available. Ted Asay is working on the 2018 annual fund and the endowment. He invited gifts from council members. Bill Biggs pointed out numerous congregational constitutions and bylaws approved. Kristen Van Stee noted congregations struggling to hear what they are being called to. She is arranging interim pastors. Brenda Rivas highlighted an updated website and the print magazine. Steve Meysing mentioned the Rural Immersion experience seminaries and working on enabling PMAs to solemnize marriages. Lisa Kramme has assembled a faith formation team to discern what comes next. She called attention to Sow the Seeds at the youth gathering and the Middle School Youth Gathering. Juliet Hampton is on sabbatical. Megan Morrow and then Lisa Kramme will be going on sabbatical next. Bishop Maas reported that Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will stand for election again when her first term concludes. Report of the Vice President: Dara reported that she had participated in a conference call in re the election of a bishop. An electronic Executive Committee meeting was abbreviated due to new funding for Mission Field Nebraska (MFN). Report of the Secretary was accepted as presented on behalf of the Council. Treasurer s Report: A 2019 budget has been proposed, reflecting financial realities, increasing some line items and decreasing others. Churchwide is also experiencing declining funding, though some of it may be attributed to the Mission Share experiments (which mean fewer expenses for churchwide along with less income). It seems clear that we need to spend more on raising up leaders for our synod. Synod staff received approximately 2.5% raises. Compensation guidelines for rostered leaders were updated. We ended with a positive bottom line and a tiny surplus. SC18.03.16: RECOMMENDED: That the Synod Council adopt the 2018 amended budget, as proposed. BACKGROUND: The proposed budget for 2018, approved by the Synod Assembly on June 3, 2017, appeared reasonable at that time. It is now reasonable to assume that the expectations for Mission Share revenue and Development revenue in the 2018 budget are not attainable. In the amended 2018 budget, total revenue has been adjusted to reflect current assumptions, and expenses have been reduced to achieve a balanced budget for the year. MOVED by Treasurer Dan Friedlund SECONDED APPROVED SC18.03.17: RECOMMENDED: That the Synod Council adopt the 2019 proposed budget and recommend it for adoption by the Synod Assembly. MOVED by Treasurer Dan Friedlund SECONDED APPROVED Nebraska Synod Women s Organization: Nancy Johnson reported on the Winter Retreat, a conference of WELCA presidents, and the spring gatherings. Women will have the opportunity to meet missionaries from Argentina. She also highlighted Saved to Serve events and the work of the Human Trafficking Task Force. Resolutions, Reference and Counsel Committee: Bill Biggs reported that resolutions submitted for Assembly consideration have been dealt with. Page 8 of 9
Bishop s Election Task Force: Pat Gregory explained the process of electing a bishop, noting that assembly delegates would receive information beforehand. Clusters nominated about 20 people, some of whom will undoubtedly decline the opportunity. Others may be nominated on the ballot. One vote on the ballot secures a nomination, though consent of the nominee is required. Five ballots have been scheduled on the assembly agenda in case they are needed. A three-fourths majority on the first ballot would elect a bishop. Pat is soliciting council members to walk with bishop nominees during the assembly. Synod Visioning Oversight Team: Sarah Cordray noted the committee s report. No action is necessary. The We Are Church Together group has started working. Senior Lutherans in Mission (SLIM) is being piloted in congregations. Racism Awareness: Bishop noted that we have no formal strategy. Fontenelle Community Church has moved into First Lutheran, which may be a very positive partnership. Miriam Blair is expected to intern at First Lutheran. A new space is needed for Nile. Old Business Dara reported that the financial circumstances for MFN have changed positively. New Business Dara reported on the following Executive Committee action since the last Synod Council meeting: EC18.01.01: Pursuant to Section *C.9.07, the Synod Council of the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America does hereby authorize Rev. Kristine Schroeder to be available for a call as a Pastor at St. John s Lutheran Church in Marquette, Nebraska, should the congregation seek to consider her for a call following the conclusion of her term as Interim/Transitional Pastor there. A report was received from the We Do Mission Scholarship Committee. More gifts to this cause, offering scholarships for mission experiences, are encouraged. Transparency about our work and agenda was discussed. There was consensus that the Council agenda with brief descriptions of the motions should be available to the public online before the meetings. The next council meeting will be held prior to the assembly. ELCA Vice President Bill Horne will be in attendance. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The bishop closed the meeting in prayer. Respectfully submitted, Karen Melang Secretary Page 9 of 9