CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS

C18.01. The Congregational Council may enact continuing resolutions which describe the function of the various committees or organizations of this congregation.

C18.02. Continuing resolutions shall be enacted or amended by a two-thirds vote of all voting members of the Congregational Council.

94.01 - Resolved that the Church Council subdivide itself into three working boards, of four or five members each, in order to better concentrate attention, time, and effort on the work of our congregation. The three subdivisions shall be a Board of Trustees, a Board of Education and a Board of Community Life.

94.02 - Resolved that the Board of Trustees be responsible:

+ for carrying out the mandate expressed in C4.03.g. of the Constitution,

+ for the financial and property matters of the congregation (as specified in C12.08. of the Constitution),

+ for the goals and objectives currently or historically handled by the finance, budget, and stewardship committees, and Mediation Board (By-Laws S4.06. and S4.07.), and

+ insure that the election of and work of the Audit committee is carried out (see C13.03.).

94.03 - Resolved that the Education Board be responsible:

+ for carrying out the mandate expressed in C4.03.c. and C4.03.d, h, and i. of the Constitution,

+ for the goals and objectives currently or historically handled by the learning commission and the youth commission, and

+ for providing a point of contact and communication for the Chairperson of the CDC Board or their designated representative.

94.04 - Resolved that the Community Life Board shall be responsible:

+ for carrying out the mandate expressed in C4.03.a,b,e,and f. of the Constitution.

+ for the goals and objectives currently or historically handled by the fellowship, outreach, witness, and worship & music committees, and

+ for providing a point of contact and communication for the President of the WELCA Board or her designated representative.

94.05 - Resolved that the Executive Committee shall be responsible:

+ for acting, when authorized, on behalf of the council,

+ for the goals and objectives currently or historically handled by the long range planning committee,

+ for evaluation of pastoral staff, and

+ for insuring that a nominating committee is elected at each year's annual meeting (see C13.02.).

94.06 - Resolved that the Pastor shall be responsible for leadership in the area of hired staff, including

+ interviewing process,

+ recommendation to hire (Council approves, see C12.11.),

+ performance review.

94.07 - Resolved that when appropriate, a Board may establish, or continue a standing committee (example: Worship & Music). Chairperson of this committee shall be a council member who is part of the board overseeing the work of the standing committee. EXCEPTION TO THIS RESOLUTION IN 94.08.

94.08 - Resolved that where a standing committee already exists (example: Fellowship), and the current leadership and membership desire to continue the committee's work, the current chairperson be included in the work of their supervising board as an ex officio member (voice but no vote on council). This arrangement to continue only until such time as current chair vacates their position and a council member takes that place, or the standing committee is dissolved and its function taken over by the board.

94.09 - Resolved that Church Council meetings continue to be held on the second Tuesday of each month with the following outline for an agenda:

+ 7:00 PM - Convene all council members in one place for opening devotions, reports by pastor, treasurer (and other reports germane to whole group, and action/information items also germane to whole group.

+ When common concerns have been addressed, council subdivides into its three boards, meeting simultaneously in three locations around the church.

+ During these separate board meetings, pastor will circulate to report or consult as needed.

+ During these separate board meetings President will also circulate to report or consult as needed. President will also be available to vote only to break ties (see C12.01.c.).

94.10 - Resolved that each board elect a chair and a recorder. The chair to convene and direct the discussion and action of the board; the recorder to insure that minutes of the meeting are taken and given to the Recording Secretary for inclusion in the combined minutes of the church council.

94.11 - Resolved that the President, in consultation with the pastor, assign elected members of council to the board in which their gifts, skills, expertise will best serve their Lord and the interests of Mount Cross.

CONTINUING RESOLUTION 97.1

Property Committee Mission Statement and Job Description

]C18.01. The Congregational Council may enact continuing resolutions which describe the function of the various committees or organizations of this congregation. C18.02. Continuing resolutions shall be enacted or amended by a two-thirds vote of all voting members of the Congregational Council.]

Mission Statement:

The Property committee (PC) is responsible for problem solving and implementation of solutions as recommended by Trustees and Long range planning committee. We will provide guidance for executive decisions regarding the physical property.

The Property Committee Job description:

The property committee sees it’s roles as aiding the mission of our church at Mt. Cross in the following areas; operations management, property and equipment maintenance, major property improvements and building content maintenance.

I. Operations Management

A. Review of policies set by trustees and council

1. Rules of use by bodies within Mt. Cross:

Youth, Sunday School, Weddings, Church functions

2. Rules of use by bodies outside Mt. Cross:

Girl Scouts, Al-anon, Outside Weddings

B. Space Allocation

1. CDC:

The CDC space allocation is the responsibility of the trustees,

But should be reviewed by Property Committee.

2. Storage:

General storage is the responsibility of PC (Sunday school,

Youth, Other committees, etc.

C. Security and Key control: Responsibility of Trustees

D. Vendor Contracts

1. Custodian:

PC should review contract with custodial company

This lets us know where our boundaries lie

2. Gardener:

PC should review contract with the gardener

This lets us know where our boundaries lie

E. Insurance, Financing and Taxes:

These are the responsibilities of the Trustees

F. Communication

1. With concerns groups (Choir, WELCA, CDC)

2. With the congregation.

3. With Trustees:

PC minutes to Trustees and or Council

Trustees minutes to PC

Agenda items/questions will create a need for meeting.

G. Property Improvement

1. All maters of Property Improvement MUST be reviewed by PC prior to

implementation.

2. Long Range Planning will be a separate committee but should come to PC for

matters of Property Improvement.

3. Sanctuary design is a subcommittee of PC and will be directly responsible to PC.

II. Maintenance

A. Responsibilities

1. Property Committee:

Building and Grounds

Space allocation

2. Trustees:

Equipment (Phones/Computers/Office Equipment)

Furnishings (Chairs/Tables/Desks)

B. Emergencies and Immediate Problems

1. Perform repairs where possible.

2. Prepare Contract repairs (when PC cannot perform), with approval and

signature of Trustees.

C. Scheduled Maintenance

1. PC should create and maintain a schedule/calendar

2. Coordinate/perform repairs

3. Prepare budget for item 1 & 2

4. Negotiate and oversee work by vendors, with approval and signature of Trustees.

5. Find volunteers or negotiate and oversee vendor work.

III. Major Improvements

A. Long range vision is the responsibility of Trustees and LRPC

B. Priorities will be determined by Trustees/Property will implement those priorities.

C. Gather information and prepare budget on any and all projects.

D. Project management

Architecture/Engineering

Permits

Scheduling

Negotiation of Contracts (to be approved and signed by Trustees)

IV. Building Contents

A. Major purchase decisions are the responsibilities of the Trustees

Need not identified by PC should be review by PC

Cost of investigations can be delegated to PC by Trustees

Prior to purchase, review impact and ramifications by PC (i.e. storage)

B. Trustees are responsible for inventory and insurance of all contents

C. Maintenance and Repair of contents may be directed to PC by Trustees.

We respectfully submit this description of responsibilities to the Mt. Cross church Council.

Property Committee Staff:

Jim Gramacki, Chair

Duane Bentzen and Scott Fajnor; Secretaries

Gordon Bergh, John Dillard, Cy Johnson

CONTINUING RESOLUTION 98.1

Compensation & Benefits Policy

1. Any staff member who works over 32 hours per week, on average, shall be eligible for the health benefits program offered through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

2. Any staff member eligible for this health benefit may choose either to receive the benefit or have Mount Cross buy out the benefit at an appropriate cash value.

3. If any employee chooses to become a rostered lay minister in the ELCA (Associate In Ministry, Deaconess, Diaconal Minister) they will be fully enrolled in the pension and benefits plan of the ELCA.

4. Information about becoming a candidate in one of the above mentioned programs is available from the pastor or from the Synod office.

CONTINUING RESOLUTION 98.2

MOUNT CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES - 1998

[C18.01. The Congregational Council may enact continuing resolutions which describe the function of the various committees or organizations of this congregation. C18.02. Continuing resolutions shall be enacted or amended by a two-thirds vote of all voting members of the Congregational Council.]

The Mount Cross Constitution and By-Laws allows great flexibility in organizing the Council and necessary committees to fulfill the tasks given to us by Christ. This continuing resolution describes how we will organize for 1998. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are mandated by the Constitution or By-Laws and may not be altered from year to year.

I. COMMITTEES OF THE CONGREGATION

A. NOMINATING COMMITTEE* (Handbook page 12)

B. MEDIATION BOARD* (Handbook page 12)

C. CALL COMMITTEE* (Handbook page 12)

II. COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL

A1. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE* (Handbook page 12)

A2. LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE (Handbook page 12)

A3. MUTUAL MINISTRY COMMITTEE (Handbook page 12)

B. AUDIT COMMITTEE* (Handbook page 12)

III. BOARDS OF THE COUNCIL

CONTINUING RESOLUTION 1999.1

COUNCIL STRUCTURE AND SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES - 1999

Here are some proposals for ways we take care of the mission we've been given in the coming year.

A. That the areas of ministry that need attention in the coming year be identified as:

WELCA YOUTH

CDC WELCOMING

CARING WORSHIP &MUSIC

FELLOWSHIP** SERVICE**

LEARNING PROPERTY

STEWARDSHIP BUDGET AND FINANCE

ENDOWMENTS AND INVESTMENTS

MISSIONS

** These two committees would divide the work that was previously done by Mount Cross In Action (MCIA)

Further descriptions of these areas of ministry are found in the Handbook, pages 8-11.

B. That wherever possible, the elected Council member become the chair of a standing committee around each of these areas of ministry.

C. That these standing committees would meet at another time than the 2^nd Tuesday of the month.

D. That these standing committees would meet as needed to accomplish their tasks.

E. That at our first Council meeting we would together try to determine some of the top priority items for each committee to address in the coming year.

F. That at that same first meeting we would work with each other to identify names of those who would be well suited for service in a particular area of ministry.

G. That we would commit ourselves to the goal of not having the same person on two committees.

One of the implications of these proposals is that we would no longer have two separate Boards. The Council meeting would be the time to check in with each other, hear the reports that we all need to hear, act on those items that only the council should act on, and agree to which of the committees new items should be referred for study, discussion or action. These proposals do not prevent the existence of a Board, the Trustees, for example.

CONTINUING RESOLUTION 2001.1

COUNCIL STRUCTURE AND SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES - 2001

A. Be it resolved that the areas of ministry we will address in the coming year will be:

WELCA

President: Mary Goodenough

CDC

Representative: Judy Winters

WELCOMING COMMITTEE

Chair: Paul Christensen

CARING COMMITTEE

Chair: vacant

WORSHIP AND MUSIC COMMITTEE

Chair: Jenny Christensen

FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE

Chair: vacant

SERVICE & MISSIONS COMMITTEE

Chair: Karen Gramacki

LEARNING & YOUTH COMMITTEE

Chair: Gayle Johnson

including House Missions

Chair: Char Wall

PROPERTY COMMITTEE

Liaison: Herb Holler

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

Chair: vacant

BUDGET, FINANCE & ENDOWMENTS COMMITTEE

Chair: Larry Vincent

PLANNING COMMITTEE

Chair: to be determined

PERSONNEL & MUTUAL MINISTRY COMMITTEE

Chair: President of the congregation?

[Further descriptions of these areas of ministry are found in the Handbook, pages 8-11.]

B. And be it further resolved, that wherever possible, the elected Council member become the chair of a standing committee around each of these areas of ministry; and

C. Be it further resolved, that these standing committees would meet at another time than the 2^nd Tuesday of the month; and

D. Be it further resolved, that these standing committees will meet as needed to accomplish their tasks; and

E. Be it further resolved, that at soon as possible in this Council year (February through January) each committee will try to determine their top priority items to accomplish in the coming year; and

F. Be it further resolved, that we will work with each other to identify names of those who would be well suited for service in a particular area of ministry; and

G. Be it further resolved, that we will commit ourselves to the goal of not having the same person on two different committees; and

H. Be it further resolved that as the Nominating Committee is able to identify candidates for the vacant seats on Council, they communicate these names to the President so that they may be elected by Council to fill their position for the rest of the year.

CONTINUING RESOLUTION 2003.1

COUNCIL STRUCTURE AND SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES FOR 2003

A. Church Council members: Bob Boyer, Paul Christensen, Herb Holler, Gayle Johnson, Karen Gramacki, Barbara Meyer, Larry Vincent, Meredith Gardner (Youth), Mary Goodenough (WELCA), Sharon Korzan (CDC)

B. Officers:

President: Karen Gramacki

Vice President: Gayle Johnson

Recorder: Herb Holler

C. Financial Officers:

Bob Winters, Treasurer

Dee Kohnke, Financial Secretary

D. Standing Committees. * indicates member of Church Council.

(for a general description of each committee's responsibilities see Handbook, pages 8-11)

E. Council Oversight. The chart below indicates the Committee(s) that each Council member will look after:

COUNCIL MEMBER

COMMITTEE

Bob Boyer

Building Committee

Herb Holler

Property

Karen Gramacki

Service & Missions

Personnel, Mutual Ministry

Larry Vincent

Budget & Finance

Endowment

Stewardship

Paul Christensen

Welcoming

Worship & Music

Barbara Meyer

Caring

Gayle Johnson

Learning & Youth

House Missions

Meredith Gardner

Learning & Youth

Mary Goodenough

WELCA

Sharon Korzan

CDC

Church Council

Fellowship

F. Guidelines for the work of Standing Committees:

As people join a committee, it will be the responsibility of the committee chair to mark the end of their term of commitment (one or two year) either with an invitation to stay for another year or with a thank you for their service.

Standing committees will meet as needed to accomplish their tasks.

Standing committees will meet at another time than the 2^nd Tuesday of the month.

On the first of each month (i.e., in time for it to be included in a report to Council) each Committee Chair will submit to the Council member looking after their work a summary of the committee's work, action items, and any items needing Council action.

All committees (including Church Council) are encouraged to set 90 minutes as the general maximum meeting length.

All committee chairpersons will attend the Church Council meeting on the 2^nd Tuesdays of September, January and June.

At the September Council meeting, to report on the committee's basic goals for the coming program year;

At the January Council meeting to report on the committee's progress and any mid-course adjustments

At the June Council meeting to give a brief evaluation of accomplishments and an outline of possible goals for the next year.

G. Identify Resources. We will work with each other to identify names of those who would be well suited for service in a particular area of ministry.

H. Fellowship Committee. Until a Fellowship Committee is operating and a chair is identified, the Church Council will serve as the chair of the committee and ask people to accept individual tasks. As people begin to serve in this area a committee may evolve and a chair person be identified.

I. Remember the "lowerarchy," or the behinderarchy." We will remember that what we do is always in support of those who are on the front lines of ministry each in every day, in their homes, at their places of work or study, etc.

CONTINUING RESOLUTION 2006.2

SABBATICAL GUIDELINES

A. BACKGROUND

1. Scripture points to the renewing power of "Sabbath time." We usually think of Sabbath as the seventh day of creation when God finished creating and rested. More than an after thought of creation, the Sabbath is a gift from God of rest, renewal and hope. In today's busy life, God comes again and again offering rest and refreshment for the soul.

2. The first books of Scripture speak of "Sabbath" days and years. Even the land was given a Sabbath when it was left to lie fallow and replenish itself.

3. Sabbaticals allow for possible new directions. Jesus' forty days in the wilderness marked a turning point in his ministry. Moses' time spent tending sheep helped change his perspective on life. David tended sheep, too, and learned valuable lessons about God's care and provision. Paul struck down on the road to Damascus, disappeared into the desert of Arabia for three years and emerged with a new vision.

B. DEFINITION OF A SABBATICAL

1. A sabbatical is understood to be a time of release from normal duties in order that a pastor may devote time to study and renewal. This is beneficial to the maturing staff person. It also brings benefits to the congregation and the church as a whole.

2. A sabbatical is not to be confused with continuing education, which entail study opportunities of shorter duration and with much greater frequency. A sabbatical is a three month period devoted to the pastor's personal, intellectual, spiritual and vocational growth and renewal.

C. PURPOSE OF A SABBATICAL

1. A sabbatical should provide stimulation for a pastor to continue mental and spiritual growth by contact with scholars, teachers, pastors, and others, so as to be competent in ministry.

2. A sabbatical will provide strong leadership for the church through pastors who are kept abreast of new developments and stimulated to effective ministry.

3. A sabbatical nurtures and feed the body and soul for renewed ministry. Hope builds on the dreams that God awakens in his people as they walk in pilgrimage with him, and renews them to lead again the people committed to their charge.

4. Since the congregation and the church are ultimately enriched by the pastor's sabbatical, it is desirable that there be shared planning with the Mutual Ministry Committee and the Church Council.

D. ELIGIBILITY AND LENGTH OF LEAVE

1. Pastors shall be eligible for a sabbatical and renewal time of three months every seven years in their present call.

2. Recipients of sabbatical opportunities will return to their ministry setting for at least one year after the leave, unless noted otherwise in the shared planning with the Mutual Ministry Committee and the Church Council.

3. Vacation time and Continuing Education time are not included as sabbatical but are granted as in any other year. Exceptions to the seven year requirement and variations from the three month sabbatical are to be approved by the Church Council.

E. GUIDELINES

1. A sabbatical should be intentional but allow enough freedom to change direction or let go of an old dream if a new vision emerges while planning.

2. The best sabbaticals usually are more open-ended than rigid, allowing for the surprises and the new directions that may come in the planning.

3. An experience of renewal is the hope of most everyone who takes a sabbatical. But creating such an experience requires more than luck, it takes imagination and planning and willingness to be surprised by God.

4. The plan and program should be one's own. A pastor should not borrow or try to repeat or duplicate another's plan or program.

5. In terms of current job responsibilities, planning should always be in consultation with the Church Council while the pastor is on sabbatical.

F. PROCEDURE

1. Pastors shall submit in writing a plan for study and renewal to the Mutual Ministry Committee and the Church Council. The plan may include formal study at a seminary or university, a quarter of Clinical Pastor Education, independent study and travel, or a combination of the above. The proposal is to be prepared in consultation with the Mutual Ministry Committee and the Church Council and receive their endorsement.

2. The pastor will submit a brief written report and evaluation of the sabbatical to the Mutual Ministry Committee and the Church Council within a month after completing the sabbatical.

3. It is recommended that future Letters of Call include a statement that Mount Cross has a sabbatical policy and grants financial support to the sabbatical program.

4. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America looks to its pastors in ministry to be educated and dedicated servant-leaders. To become such a church is an ongoing challenge. A sabbatical program is one means by which pastors, the Mutual Ministry Committee and the Church Council can work together to strengthen both ministry and the church's mission.

H. COVERAGE AND COSTS DURING SABBATICALS

1. During the sabbatical the pastor shall receive from the congregation the equivalent of their current base salary; 100% of housing allowance; 100% of pension and medical-dental benefits; all other compensation and benefits remain unaffected.

2. The congregation is responsible to provide for interim ministry during the sabbatical. Increased use of lay members or collegial coverage is recommended. This may be done by an employed pastoral leader or lay congregational leadership.

3. The pastor on sabbatical will be responsible for the costs of tuition, books, supplies, travel and living expenses while on sabbatical that exceed the current and accumulated allowances for continuing education, unless congregation or employer chooses to contribute to these.

4. Anticipated costs to the congregation will be included in the annual budget.

5. Every effort will be made to obtain grants (for example, from the Lilly Foundation) to subsidize he cost of the sabbatical to the pastor and to the congregation.