Many at Faith are excited about and open to a revised constitution, but at the same time also ask, “Why do we need a new Constitution now?” Here are a few of my thoughts:

• The ELCA was formed in 1988. Since then, Churchwide Assemblies have amended its constitution and the Model Constitutions for Synods and Congregations numerous times. Faith’s current constitution does not reflect those changes.
• The current constitution does not reflect the ministry needs of a church Faith’s size.
• An interim time is a good time to initiate change: the next senior pastor will know congregational expectations and will not have to lead the congregation through a major change at the beginning of ministry here.
• The current constitution actually has not served Faith well in recent years.

1. 1. 1. The current constitution names the ministry boards as directors of the respective ministries; yet we’ve hired staff members to be directors of ministries. We need to bring our documents in line with our practices.
      2. The proposed revision, based on the ELCA’s Model Constitution, has an extensive chapter on the calling and responsibilities of pastors, and an exhaustive piece on dealing with pastors no longer able to fulfill pastoral roles in particular ministry settings. Our current constitution lacks these details.
      3. Without a strong Business Administrator, there could be much confusion in the area of finances: we have an elected Finance Committee Chair, who sits on the council, and an appointed treasurer who does not. The question also arises as to whom the Business Administrator is accountable – treasurer, finance committee, council, executive committee, immediate supervisor (senior pastor)? The proposed revision authorizes election of a treasurer, a voting member of council who chairs the finance board.

• We may disagree with specific points of the ELCA-required provisions of the Model Constitution for Congregations, but as a member of a larger body we agree to be bound by policies of that body. This is true for any chapter of any parent organization. The current constitution is lacking in this regard.
• The roots of this proposed revision go back eight years to the planning document Faith approved in 2004. It’s past time to finish the job.
• Now is a good time to get this done!

1. 1. 1. Your current interim pastor chairs the synod’s Constitution Committee, which reviews new, revised and amended constitutions; he can do much of that work prior to submission of the constitution to the synod.
      2. Pr Eric Carlson, assistant to Bishop Burk, is a member of Faith and the synod staff person who works with the Constitution Committee.
      3. Pr Duane Miller, an Intentional Interim Pastor in the synod, is a member here and shares his strong background in parliamentary procedure, governing documents and church organizational matters.
      4. Your current committee is dedicated to seeing this process through!

   If you have questions or comments on the proposed constitutional revision, and missed the constitutional forums, please contact committee chair Tom Penningroth or me.

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Constitutions, bylaws, policies. Those words bring to mind organizations and institutions of which we are part and which govern and impact our lives. Yet many of use find such documents boring or tedious and we often treat them as necessary, but not really relevant.

I hope that as members of Faith you are taking seriously our efforts to revise our constitution, because in fact our constitution, bylaws and policies will govern how we do ministry here, just as the current constitution and bylaws do.

But a question was raised, “All well and good, but how would a new constitution impact me as a member of Faith?” Let me try to answer that.

First, a constitution defines membership. In order to become and remain a member in good standing at Faith, the constitution lays out specifics: Approval by the congregation council, participation in worship and the sacrament of Holy Communion, and making an annual contribution of record. Yes, those are minimal membership requirements, but requirements nonetheless. The constitution describes our individual membership, explains generally our rights and privileges of membership, and provides a process for discipline, release of membership and related actions.

Second, a constitution, along with bylaws and policies, sets the framework within which I am able to get involved in ministry. When I read those documents, I can discover what general areas of ministry we undertake here at Faith and can choose to become involved, as an individual, in those areas or that area for which my gifts are compatible. In other words, our governing documents become the “go to” source for me to understand generally what our ministry emphases are.

Third, a constitution of the church serves as a reminder of our core beliefs and, therefore, what my core beliefs are. A constitution summarizes the faith of the church and, for us, the Lutheran understanding of that faith. Therefore it becomes a guide for me as I grow and mature in faith. And, not so incidentally, a constitution is a “mini history” lesson, reminding us that our roots of faith not only go deep into scripture, but also into church history and the Reformation and subsequent movements, which together become our heritage. The constitution describes our theology and history as Lutheran Christians and allows me to find my place in it.

Fourth, a constitution reminds me that I am part of a community of faith, beginning with this congregation, then the synod, then the denomination, then the world-wide Lutheran communion, then the church universal. I don’t have to “go it alone” when it comes to living out my faith, interpreting my faith for daily living, and struggling with questions and even doubt. I am supported by the body – we call it the Body of Christ in the world – as an individual, and I am reminded that as an individual, I also support others in the Body. A constitution reminds me that I, as an individual, am part of something bigger.

Fifth, a constitution assures me that when I contribute my time, talent and treasure to the work of the church, those gifts will be used to proclaim the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ in Word and Sacrament; and a constitution assures me that whether such proclamation is a little or a lot, simple or complex, immediate or in the future, the ministry of which I am a part will continue. And if I perceive that such ministry is, for some reason or other, not continuing, the constitution provides me a structure within which I can have input and ask questions.

I hope this helps. Governing documents mean many things to many people, but as I think of what a congregation’s constitution means for me personally, these are the things that come to mind.

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“A Table fore Five … Thousand” was 2012’s Children’s Musical presentation on February 11 and 12. Marvelous job. Thanks to the children, director, producer, assistants, helpers, to everyone involved in the production. It’s a 23-year tradition to be proud of. 

As I think about the musical, it occurs to me that God feeds us in order to do a lot of things, not only because we’re hungry.

We are fed by the Word, the living Word, Christ, whom we can see in our neighbors and whom our neighbors see in us. As we literally feed others, we are Christ feeding them. As we work for justice for those on the margins of society, we are Christ working for justice. As we contribute our money, our time and our talents in doing works of love, we are Christ showing love to others. As God feeds us through the Word, we feed others in Christ’s name and maybe even as Christ himself.

We are fed by Holy Communion. In that sacrament we receive assurance of forgiveness, strengthening of fellowship and the continued blessings of oneness with Christ. In turn, in Christ’s name we are commanded to take that sacrament outside into the world, so that the world might be assured of forgiveness, strengthening of community and oneness with the One greater than themselves. That is, we are fed so that we may live sacramentally, holy lives in service to others in the name of Christ.

We are fed by Holy Baptism, God’s act of making us part of the Communion of Saints. And beyond God’s act, the waters of baptism remind us that water is necessary for life, period. So we seek to insure that all people have water. The waters of baptism remind us that true worship, according to Amos, is let justice roll down like waters, righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. So we seek justice.

“A Table for Five … Thousand” reminds us that when each of us does our part, however large or small, through us God can do miracles. “A Table for Five … Thousand” reminds us that when we feed others, we ourselves are fed. “A Table for Five … Thousand” reminds us that through sharing our gifts, with which God feeds our faith, those gifts are multiplied and feed dozens, hundreds and thousands of others.

Fed by the Word and Sacraments, we reach out and feed others, so that the world might know that Jesus Christ is the One who once and for all satisfies all of creation’s hunger and thirst.

Lyle A Kleman
Intentional Interim Pastor

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