Synod Attorney - Legal Information
Resources from Murray Sagsveen, Synod Attorney
Organizational Audit Recommendations
The Synod Attorney recommends that each Congregation Council conduct an "organizational audit", especially if the Congregation has elected new members to the Council.
Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions
The congregation council may (by a vote of 2/3 of all council members) adopt, amend, or repeal a continuing resolution.
- Memo w recommendation re mandatory reporting v3 20230711
- Synod Attorney Recommendations Concerning Congregation Bylaws v1 - 06-23-23
- Memo to Congregations Regarding Constitutions
- Draft policy, in the form of a continuing resolution, concerning the membership and attendance of registered sex offenders in church events (short form).
20230513 Optional CRs re Registered Sex Offenders v1 - Expanded draft policy in the form of a continuing resolution, with agreement template, concerning membership and attendance of registered sex offenders in church events.
20230513 Detailed sex offender CR C8.02. - Draft continuing resolution that clarifies the voting membership provision in the congregation constitution.
20230429 Define contribution of record w CR - Guidance and resources to better understand what political activity is permissible and what is not in order to maintain itself as a tax-exempt organization as provided by Tom Cunniff, General Counsel of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
20240805 Being a Public Church
20240805 Political Activity and Tax Status
Synod Endowments
Ministry Endowment – supporting leaders in ministry
We sow the Good News of Jesus Christ through the worship services, outreach in Jesus’ name, and by serving our neighbor. To maintain healthy congregations, we need pastors and other leaders willing to serve. Some seminarians may need scholarships, help with debt, or growth as they are in ministry. Grant funds are specifically for those serving or intending to serve in the WND Synod.
Applications:
- Scholarship applications for theological education will be sent out to current candidates for ministry from WND.
- Debt Reduction support, emailed out to WND Rostered Leaders in Dec: Student Loan Grant Application
Mission Endowment - loving our neighbor and sharing the Gospel
Do you have an idea for a new ministry? Maybe you want to expand existing outreach in your congregation, better carrying out God’s mission for the sake of the Gospel. Apply for a Breakthrough Mission Endowment Grant to help you get started. Applications by WND congregations or ministries are considered quarterly by the Endowment Committee, excited to further mission in Jesus' name and to reach new people.
Past examples of this include starting support groups, a community garden, needed equipment, or a summer block party. Similar to the Thrivent team action funds for smaller tasks, you may need a larger grant for a new initiative distributing kits, meals, or Bibles.
