Steps to OrganizingSteps to Organizing

From Development to Organization(in six simple steps)

Evangelical Outreach and Congregational MissionEvangelical Lutheran Church in America

#1 Assessing Readiness#1 Assessing Readiness Assessment done by Mission Director, Assessment done by Mission Director,

Mission Developer and congregational Mission Developer and congregational leadersleaders

Membership Strength: preferably over Membership Strength: preferably over 120. This may vary according to context, 120. This may vary according to context, ethnicity,etcethnicity,etc

Understanding of the Christian FaithUnderstanding of the Christian Faith Understanding of what it means to be part Understanding of what it means to be part

of the ELCAof the ELCA Ownership of the MinistryOwnership of the Ministry Leadership DevelopmentLeadership Development

#2 Pre-Organization #2 Pre-Organization WorkWork

Mission Statement DevelopmentMission Statement Development Form follows function!Form follows function!

Charter or Commitment Events PlannedCharter or Commitment Events Planned Group Goal SettingGroup Goal Setting Preliminary Program Budgets Preliminary Program Budgets

DevelopedDeveloped Continue 15% mission support to ELCA Continue 15% mission support to ELCA

through synod through synod Stewardship Task Force begins workStewardship Task Force begins work

#2 More Pre-Organizing #2 More Pre-Organizing WorkWork

Development of Constitution and By-Development of Constitution and By-LawsLaws

Synods have examplesSynods have examples Office of Secretary is also a resource for thisOffice of Secretary is also a resource for this

Articles of IncorporationArticles of Incorporation Best to work with an attorneyBest to work with an attorney

Formation of CouncilFormation of Council Gather nomineesGather nominees Look for leaders with ownership of ministry, Look for leaders with ownership of ministry,

Christian values and ability to lead and follow-Christian values and ability to lead and follow-throughthrough

#3 Congregational #3 Congregational MeetingMeeting

Set a date for the Congregational Set a date for the Congregational MeetingMeeting

Coordinate with Synod for representative to be Coordinate with Synod for representative to be present present

Publicize the meeting widelyPublicize the meeting widely Every household calls, mailings, etcEvery household calls, mailings, etc

Synod representative conducts the Synod representative conducts the Congregational MeetingCongregational Meeting Items for action include:Items for action include:

Decision to organizeDecision to organize Accepting the constitution and by-lawsAccepting the constitution and by-laws Voting to call the pastorVoting to call the pastor

#4 Organizing #4 Organizing CelebrationCelebration

Formal celebration can be part of Formal celebration can be part of worshipworship

Bishop is invited to participateBishop is invited to participate Celebrate the important marker in the Celebrate the important marker in the

life of the newly organized life of the newly organized congregation!congregation!

Celebration often extends to formal Celebration often extends to formal acceptance as a congregation at acceptance as a congregation at Synod AssemblySynod Assembly

#5 Wait! There’s More!#5 Wait! There’s More!

Call process (if necessary)Call process (if necessary) PledgingPledging Working out a balanced budgetWorking out a balanced budget Complete applications for financial Complete applications for financial

support:support: EOCM grants for Newly Organized EOCM grants for Newly Organized

CongregationsCongregations Mission partnersMission partners

#6 Not Finished Yet!#6 Not Finished Yet! Send copies of Constitution and By-Laws to Send copies of Constitution and By-Laws to

SynodSynod Send Recognition of Congregation form to Send Recognition of Congregation form to

EOCMEOCM Contact ELCA Risk Management for Contact ELCA Risk Management for

continuation of insurance coveragecontinuation of insurance coverage Apply for EIN (Employer Identification Number) Apply for EIN (Employer Identification Number)

if not already doneif not already done Apply for State tax exempt status if not done Apply for State tax exempt status if not done

alreadyalready Place property on tax exempt status if not Place property on tax exempt status if not

already done by Mission Directoralready done by Mission Director File Articles of Incorporation with appropriate File Articles of Incorporation with appropriate

representative of the courtrepresentative of the court

Welcome!Welcome! Pastors and leaders of Newly Organized Pastors and leaders of Newly Organized

Congregations are invited to attend the Congregations are invited to attend the Newly Organized Congregation Leadership Newly Organized Congregation Leadership Conference held in Chicago 1-2x per year.Conference held in Chicago 1-2x per year.

Congregations should budget $500 to Congregations should budget $500 to contribute toward the expenses of this contribute toward the expenses of this conference.conference.

Objectives of the conference are to connect Objectives of the conference are to connect new congregations with resources, identify new congregations with resources, identify and encourage characteristics of healthy and encourage characteristics of healthy congregations and help new congregations congregations and help new congregations multiply leaders.multiply leaders.