1. Work and leadership of congregation councils
February 16, 2019

2. agenda Welcome and Introductions Review submitted questions and topics
Overview of council roles in model constitution
Review governance structures of congregations
Small Group Discussions
Large Group feedback, discussion, and summary

3. Introductions Leaders: Joyce Caldwell, Synod Vice President
Matthew Brockmeier, Synod Secretary
Who is in the room:
Urban, Suburban, Small City/Town, Rural
Congregation Size: Small (under 50 at worship); Mid-size ( at worship); Large (over 150 at worship)
Council size 5 or under; 6-9; 10 or over
Clarity of Congregation Constitution: reviewed within 5 years; needs work
Clarity of Congregation Vision & Mission: reviewed within 5 years; needs work

4. Categories of topics
Congregation Council Constitutions and role of Council members
Structure of council, including small congregations
Running effective council meetings
Strategies, best practices, commitments to get most out of council members
Best practices for effective leadership; engaging and interactive meetings
Defining congregation vision and mission and engaging members
Recruiting and training members to serve on council and/or ministry teams

5. Congregation constitution and Bylaws
How do you review Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions with Congregation Council and how much time do you spend on it? Is it a priority?
How do you orient new Council members?
How do you balance administrative/financial responsibilities with focus on congregational vision and mission?
What is the role of the Executive Committee?
What is the role of Council on staff evaluations and hiring new support staff?

6. Duties of Congregation Council (as noted in model constitution)
Lead in stating mission, long-range planning, setting goals and priorities
Involve members in worship, learning, witness, service, support
Oversee and provide for administration
Responsible for financial and property matters
Maintain supportive relationships and annually evaluate minister(s) and staff
Arrange for pastoral service in absence of pastor

7. Duties of Congregation Council (as noted in model constitution)
Emphasize partnership w/GMS and ELCA, including use of program resources
Annual review of membership roster
Submit comprehensive review at congregation annual meeting
Ensure provisions of Constitution are carried out
Promote climate of peace and goodwill, modeling life of baptized persons

8. Ministry/committee Structures
Sizes of Congregation Councils
Structures for Oversight of Ministries
Committees of the Council (e.g. Personnel, Finance, Staff Support)
Role and Function of Executive Committee

9. Helpful hints Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing
Use of Consent Agenda
Use of Guidelines for Discussion (for example)
Eric Law’s “Respectful Communication Guidelines”
R – take Responsibility for what you say and feel without blaming others
E – use Empathetic listening
S – be Sensitive to differences in communication styles
P – Ponder what you hear and feel before you speak
E – Examine your own assumptions and perceptions
C – keep Confidentiality
T – Trust ambiguity because we are not here to debate who is right or wrong
Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing

10. Small group discussions
Share an example of
When your council was especially effective; what made it so?
When your council got stuck or bogged down and was not effective; what made it so?
What are best practices you use for running effective council meetings?
How do you navigate through challenging issues and circumstances?
How does your council give life and leadership to congregation’s vision, mission, and ministry?
How do you engage with people you recruit into leadership roles?