Christ the King Lutheran Church, New Brighton, MN

Congregational Council Meeting Minutes—May 18, 2009

Members present: Pastor Paul, Pastor Deborah, Pastor Shelley, Cheryl Olson (P), Dave Durham (T), Ann Bollmeier (S), Kim Burfeind, John Foell, Scott Paulson, Cyndi Lesher. Len Krumm, and Allen Pofahl

Members absent: Cindy Larson (PE), Greg Debelak

I. Cheryl Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM

II. Pastor Paul opened the meeting with prayer.

III. We watched the third part of a video ìRediscovering the Book of Faithî for our Bible study.

IV. Agenda review: There was discussion as to how we can eliminate so much printing of Council agendas, meeting notes, and reports. Using a projection would save on paper waste.

V. Council Minutes: Cyndi Lesher moved to approve the minutes from the April 20, 2009 meeting. Kim Burfeind seconded. Motion carried.

VI. Treasurers Report

a. Aprils total receipts $122,001.88

b. Aprils total expenditures 100,569.51

c. A motion was made by Len Krumm and seconded by Allen Pofahl that since the Finance Committee reports that sufficient funds are available for the Sanctuary remodeling that the project proceed as per the plan approved by the congregation at the Annual Meeting. Motion carried.

VII. New Busines

a. Pastoral Housing Allowance Approval: Whereas, the IRS requires that the amount of each pastor’s housing allowance be approved and recorded in the congregation council minutes;

Therefore, be it resolved that in 2009 the approved housing allowance for:

          Pastor Paul L. Larsen will be $34,000

          Pastor Shelley Cunningham will be $26,000

          Pastor Deborah Birkeland will be $26,000.

Ann Bollmeier moved to accept the allowance, seconded by Allen Pofahl.

Motion carried.

b. Pastor Shelley reviewed the Synod Statement on Human Sexuality and the process that will occur at the St. Paul Synod Assembly and the National Assembly in August.

1. Step one asks the assembly whether, in principle, it is committed to finding ways to allow congregations and synods
that choose to do so to recognize, support, and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender
relationships.

2. Step two asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding a way for people in such publicly
accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders of this church.

3. Step three asks this church whether, in the future implementation of these commitments, it will make decisions so that all in this church bear the burdens of the other, and respect the bound consciences of all. This means that any solution that serves only the conscience-bound positions of one or another part of this church will not be acceptable.

4. Step four proposes how this church can move toward change in a way that respects the bound consciences of all. It recognizes that such respect will lead to diversity of practice. However, the majority of the task force believes that the conscience-bound lack of consensus will be respected most faithfully by providing some structured flexibility in decision-making so that congregations and synods may choose whether or not to approve or call people in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve on ELCA rosters.

c. Strategic Plan Update: Cheryl distributed Council resource manuals for members that included:

1. Constitution/Bylaws

2. 2009 Budget

3. Organizational Charts/rosters

4. Strategic Planning document
She then described the planning process over the last eighteen months in addition to focus for the next 6-8 weeks. The staff will be completing the action plan components of the strategic plan at their retreat the first week of June. The goal is to have the plan completed and priorities set as to make any budgetary changes at the July council meeting.

VIII. Pastor Paul closed the meeting with prayer.

IX. Next meeting June 15, 2009

X. Meeting adjourned at 9 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Bollmeier, secretary

GUIDED BY THE GOSPEL: GATHERING • GROWING • GIVING