Policy for Disbursement of Congregational Assets

The Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (the “Eastern Synod”) Constitution provides that those congregations that are viable and sustainable have the authority to control their own income, expenses and assets. This assumes, of course, that these congregations satisfy applicable regulations and legal requirements (e.g. CRA1 , trust law2, etc.) as well as other congregational and synodical constitutional and policy requirements.

Questions frequently arise about the disbursement of any remaining assets, including land and buildings, when a congregation is no longer viable and approaching (or has reached) the end of its life. At times these assets can be quite significant in size. In response, the Eastern Synod enacts this policy to address those questions and to provide direction to congregations within the Eastern Synod.

Congregations That Have Disbanded

Assuming that Article 5, Section 4 from the model constitution is included in the congregation’s constitution, in the case of a congregation that has disbanded, the congregation has determined that all assets vest with the Eastern Synod:

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http://www.elcic.ca/Documents/EcumenicalSharedMinistriesHandbook-Final2019.pdf

2020 Ministry Story

POLICY FOR CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL E-MEETINGS

The purpose of this policy is to outline the procedure the Congregational Council would follow to hold a telephonic/electronic meeting (cf Congregational Bylaws Part VII Section 12).

Scope:

This policy applies to the Congregational Council.

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Talking Points

from the Eastern Synod Council meeting April 23, 2020 / E-Meeting Wendell Caron Grahlman, Secretary

The Eastern Synod Council met by video-conferencing software for its spring meeting, occurring during the COVID-19 Pandemic state of emergency.

Outcomes from the meeting included:

• Confirmation of a $10,000 Eastern Synod donation to the COVID-19 Appeal from our partner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

• The Synod Council policy for holding E- Votes was revised and updated

• Approval of a template for a Policy for Congregation Council E-Meetings, for Congregational Councils to use with respect to the Model Constitution and Bylaws, Part VII Section 12.

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This document presumes that one or more congregations have contacted synodical leaders
to guide a consultation to explore possibilities with respect to organizational ministry. Such
a consultation may have considered: a renewed vision for mission and ministry with the
existing congregation and site; the exploration of redevelopment options; dissolution; and
in particular to this document, a process of merger or amalgamation.
Therefore, this document offers some general steps that two or more congregations would
follow who have already been part of conversations and discernment which have led into
an intentional process to be part of a merger or amalgamation.
It is acknowledged during this process that many aspects of congregational ministry and
practice will be reviewed. Everyone involved in this process is encouraged to practice a
posture of prayer, respect and honesty when working with one’s own congregation and in
partnership with others.
In addition, while beyond the scope of this document, it is also acknowledged that attention
needs to be given to the nature of change and to the pastoral care of souls affected by this
organizational transformation, which will be happening alongside the steps of the process
moving toward merger or amalgamation, and will require their own unique care, focus and
management.

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