Clergy Connect
Sola Publishing
Make Donation
WordAlone® Network is a religious, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, and your contributions are fully tax-deductible.
Whereas the 2005 churchwide assembly approved changes to the governing documents for the Mission Investment Fund and the ELCA Foundation, including some constitutional revisions; and
Whereas the proposed changes were part of a large amount material that was difficult to read and comprehend; and some voting members were concerned and confused about the short and long-term effects of those changes and therefore requested that the proposed changes be removed from en bloc status for discussion and clarification; and
Whereas ELCA churchwide staff persuaded the voting member whose signature was first on the form for requesting that those changes be removed from en bloc status to withdraw the request; and
Whereas there remains uncertainty as to the nature of those changes and why they were necessary; and
Whereas an ELCA news release, November 15, 2006, reports “the establishment of the ‘Mission Development Fund,’ a new temporarily restricted fund in the ELCA Foundation” that seems to be connected closely to the operating budget of the ELCA; and
Whereas a lack of clarity does not help the trust level between the local church and the churchwide leadership, and documentation that invested funds for mission and perpetuity are being used appropriately would alleviate confusion and distrust; and
Whereas local churches and ELCA members invested in these funds, trusting that they will be used for the purposes stated at the time their investment;
Therefore be it resolved that the ___________________ Synod Council of the ELCA requests the ELCA Church Council to issue a full report explaining in understandable language what changes were made at the 2005 assembly and what effect they have; and
Be it further resolved that this report disclose the amount, if any, of Mission Investment Fund dollars or ELCA Foundation monies, both designated and undesignated, that are available to be used for shortages in the operating budget of the ELCA; and
Be it further resolved that this report be sent to all churches of the ELCA, every individual investor in the Mission Investment Fund and ELCA Foundation and to the voting members at the churchwide assembly, 2009 in a good faith move for transparency and stewardship with integrity.