To Aid Churches Unable to Support Sole Pastor

WHEREAS, Many congregations in The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod (LCMS) are facing declining membership to the point that they are no longer financially able to support the cost of compensating a full-time pastor; and

WHEREAS, The members of these congregations desire to continue to receive Word and Sacrament ministry from an ordained pastor; and

WHEREAS, Most members of the LCMS have little prior knowledge or experience with a congregation shrinking to the point of being unable to support a full-time pastor; and

WHEREAS, In recent years individual churches, circuits, and districts have been forced to deal with this problem through the combining of congregations, transition to worker/priest pastorates, multi-congregation pastorates, part-time pastorates, and closure of congregations; and

WHEREAS, The experiences of these congregations and pastors could prove invaluable to churches facing these same challenges and help to avoid critical mistakes; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Southern District create a task force to investigate and identify the best options for congregations to attempt to address the problem of no longer being ableto financially support a pastor and the mistakes congregations should avoid in such situations; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force identify other key problematic areas congregations in such situations have faced that should be addressed early on when facing such challenges; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force present its finding and conclusion in the form of a manual that congregations, circuit visitors, district presidents, and other leaders in the church may use as a tool to competently and pro actively address such situations; and be it finally

Resolved, That this same resolution be forwarded as an overture to the Synod at convention to be considered for implementation throughout our church body.