1 / 10

Steps to Organizing

This guide outlines the process of organizing a congregation in six simple steps, including readiness assessment, pre-organization work, congregational meetings, organizing celebrations, and post-organization tasks. It provides detailed information on each step, from developing a mission statement to applying for tax-exempt status. Learn how to navigate the journey from development to organization effectively.

castleberry
Download Presentation

Steps to Organizing

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Steps to Organizing From Development to Organization (in six simple steps) Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

  2. #1 Assessing Readiness • Assessment done by Mission Director, Mission Developer and congregational leaders • Membership Strength: preferably over 120. This may vary according to context, ethnicity,etc • Understanding of the Christian Faith • Understanding of what it means to be part of the ELCA • Ownership of the Ministry • Leadership Development

  3. #2 Pre-Organization Work • Mission Statement Development • Form follows function! • Charter or Commitment Events Planned • Group Goal Setting • Preliminary Program Budgets Developed • Continue 15% mission support to ELCA through synod • Stewardship Task Force begins work

  4. #2 More Pre-Organizing Work • Development of Constitution and By-Laws • Synods have examples • Office of Secretary is also a resource for this • Articles of Incorporation • Best to work with an attorney • Formation of Council • Gather nominees • Look for leaders with ownership of ministry, Christian values and ability to lead and follow-through

  5. #3 Congregational Meeting • Set a date for the Congregational Meeting • Coordinate with Synod for representative to be present • Publicize the meeting widely • Every household calls, mailings, etc • Synod representative conducts the Congregational Meeting • Items for action include: • Decision to organize • Accepting the constitution and by-laws • Voting to call the pastor

  6. #4 Organizing Celebration • Formal celebration can be part of worship • Bishop is invited to participate • Celebrate the important marker in the life of the newly organized congregation! • Celebration often extends to formal acceptance as a congregation at Synod Assembly

  7. #5 Wait! There’s More! • Call process (if necessary) • Pledging • Working out a balanced budget • Complete applications for financial support: • EOCM grants for Newly Organized Congregations • Mission partners

  8. #6 Not Finished Yet! • Send copies of Constitution and By-Laws to Synod • Send Recognition of Congregation form to EOCM • Contact ELCA Risk Management for continuation of insurance coverage • Apply for EIN (Employer Identification Number) if not already done • Apply for State tax exempt status if not done already • Place property on tax exempt status if not already done by Mission Director • File Articles of Incorporation with appropriate representative of the court

  9. Welcome! • Pastors and leaders of Newly Organized Congregations are invited to attend the Newly Organized Congregation Leadership Conference held in Chicago 1-2x per year. • Congregations should budget $500 to contribute toward the expenses of this conference. • Objectives of the conference are to connect new congregations with resources, identify and encourage characteristics of healthy congregations and help new congregations multiply leaders.

More Related