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Steps to Organizing

Steps to Organizing. Steps to Organizing. From Development to Organization (in six simple steps) Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. #1 Assessing Readiness. Assessment done by Mission Director, Mission Developer and congregational leaders

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Steps to Organizing

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  1. Steps to Organizing

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

  3. #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

  4. #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

  5. #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

  6. #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

  7. #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

  8. #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

  9. #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

  10. 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.

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