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President John Natterstad called the meeting to order after a quorum was determined.
Pastor Kutzke
There is a concern that funding for ELCA outreach ministries are being cut because many congregations are no longer giving to the ELCA.
Treasurer’s Report
Butch Martin reported that by October 31, we were behind by about $70,000. Overall spending was down for the year. We are still in the black, but we may need to tap into rainy day fund reserves. The mortgage balance is down to $383,600 from $1.25 million.
Budget
Jeff Whitehead presented the 2010 budget based on an estimated giving of $514,000 from 173 giving units. Jeff moved to adopt the budget. It was seconded. Discussion included how designated funds were spent. There was a question about the office manager and music director’s salaries. A clarification was made about copier maintenance, Motion was carried with one nay vote.
Old Business
Word Alone:
230 ELCA churches are associated with this organization. Word Alone is most likely changing to Lutheran’s CORE. CORE is suggesting withdrawing financial support from the ELCA in large part to the decision to ordain openly homosexual pastors. Some congregational members went to a meeting with Bishop Boerger and shared what they heard.
- What are the options for the ELCA?
- Lutherans CORE suggesting bringing about change within the ELCA.
- Lutherans CORE creating a new denomination.
- The Bishop called for conservatives to be involved in process.
- Only pastors that the congregation are considering will be called.
- The Bishop will be at Bethlehem December 1 at 7:00 P.M.
New Business
Kathy Blake, Ron Gierhan, and Stephanie Hylback will be on the Financial Review Committee.
Nominating Committee
Ernie Fosse moved to extend the current nominating committee’s term to February 2010. Motion seconded and carried.
Open council positions:
- President
- Missions Committee Chair
- Property and Maintenance Committee Chair
- Youth and Family Chair
- Finance Committee Chair
- BLC Christian School Rep
Other positions to be filled:
- Synod Assembly - 2 Female Reps.
- SynodAssembly - 2 Male Reps
- Bethany of Northwest Rep.
- Two Josephine Home Reps
- Two Endowment Committee Reps.
- Two Camp Lutherwood Reps.
- Youth Synod Rep.
BLC By-laws:
Beth Husted moved to approve first page of changes in the by-laws from B11.01.04.01 through B14.01.03. The motion was seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Beth Husted moved to adopt by-laws B11.02.01 through B13.02.01. Motion seconded. Friendly amendments were made after discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
Beth reported that there will be some required baseline updates to our constitution that come from the ELCA. A discussion followed about accepting those changes.
Forest Paulsen moved to honor $3000 commitments to Word Alone. Motion was seconded. After discussion concerning using that money to benefit local charities or ministries, the oral vote was too close. A call for Division of House was made by President John Natterstad. The motion carried by 23 in favor, 22 opposed, and one abstention.
Next Congregational Meeting will be February 14, 2010.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Tanner
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