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Preamble
For the sake of the mission of the Church and the continued ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our respective communities, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Burt Iowa and Trinity Lutheran Church of Algona Iowa have agreed to enter into a Ministry Partnership arrangement.
Ministry Partnership Agreement
A.
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While acknowledging that we all are part of the body of Christ and find our true identity in Him, the individual entities involved shall not lose sight of their unique culture, organizational history, and unique role in their community. This agreement will become effective upon the signing of this resolution. For this purpose we shall work together in the arrangement of covering the ministry of this partnership. We shall also work in cooperation with the two congregations and Pastors in the planning and scheduling of meetings and other activities as agreed upon by both churches. We will partner with each other as two sites of the same ministry, made up of and reaching out to members of our respective communities, while supporting each other as we engage the mission fields around us. Whenever feasible, joint activities will be encouraged and regarded as a distinct help in promoting the welfare of the Kingdom of God and the efficiency of the Ministry.
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B.
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Each congregation shall take care of its own administrative expenses. The voting members of each congregation shall conduct their own voters’ meeting. The Ministry Partnership Executive Board may be called with a 24 hour notice to consider matters pertaining to the Pastor and any problems which may arise that cannot wait as a result of this agreement. The chairman of the host congregation shall serve as chairman of the meeting, and the secretary of the host congregation shall serve as secretary and provide the other congregation with a copy of the minutes of all meetings. The place of the Ministry Partnership Executive Board meetings will alternate between the two congregations. Notice of every Ministry Partnership Executive Board meeting must be given to all Board members prior to the meeting.
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C.
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A Ministry Partnership Executive Board will consist of the following from each congregation: Congregational President, Congregational Secretary, Congregational Treasurer, One Congregational Elder, and One Congregational Trustee. The Pastor’s from both congregations will be nonvoting members of this board. This board will meet at least once per year before the October Church Council/ Voters meeting of the partnership congregations. This board will take up the business of this partnership and discuss issues and amendments pertinent to the working of the two congregations, and to adopt a salary for the pastor for the coming year. Any voters meeting of the partnership congregation can ask for changes that they would like to see done through their representatives for improvements to this agreement. The Executive Board together shall be authorized to act on behalf of the two congregations in any matter that may arise and demand immediate action. Such action shall be reported to the voting assembly and/or Church Council of each congregation at its next meeting. This agreement may be amended as needed with the approval of the voter’s assembly of each congregation. All actions will be brought to each congregation’s voter’s assembly to be ratified by both voters assembly before such amendments go into effect.
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D.
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Synodical regulations permit one lay vote for each member congregation. Each congregation making up this Ministry Partnership shall be represented by a chosen delegate, whose convention expenses will be paid for by that congregation.
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E.
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The Pastor of this Ministry Partnership shall be called at a ministry Partnership Assembly meeting. Representative of each congregation shall sign the call document. Thus the Pastor will have a divine call to both congregations under this agreement; the congregation must act together in all matters pertaining to the pastoral call.
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F.
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For the support of the Pastor and the ministry in the two communities, the congregations agree to contribute to the support of the Pastor on a 75 - 25 basis. St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burt Iowa will contribute 75% and Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona Iowa will contribute 25% for the Pastor’s salary and benefits, conference expenses, and housing expenses. Mileage will be paid by each congregation for the calls that the Pastor does for them. The congregations agree to consider the district guidelines for compensation of the Pastor. Moving expenses of the called pastor will be shared by both calling congregations on the basis of 75 - 25 percent. The called Pastor will divide his time on this same basis in covering the ministry of both congregations. The Pastor is free to find housing to suit his needs in either Burt or Algona. In order to develop and maintain relationships with members of both congregations, the Pastor is expected to hold regular office hours at both churches.
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G.
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Shall either congregation wish to dissolve this Ministry Partnership Agreement; it may do so by notifying in writing to the other congregation of their intent. The agreement will dissolve one year after a vote passes by either congregation to dissolve this agreement. Should the dissolution of these articles of agreement be contemplated by any congregation, orderly procedure would demand that the Circuit Visitor or some other district official be consulted before notice is given.
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H.
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In the event of a vacancy in this Ministry or in the area churches, under the guidance of the Executive Board a working agreement will be agreed upon that would allow the ministry of Word and Sacrament to continue until that vacancy can be filled. All Pastors of this partnership will work together to cover the partnership through an agreeable means which may include engaging the services of a vacancy Pastor in order to keep Word and Sacrament ministry going in the vacancy congregation.
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I.
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To amend this Ministry Partnership Agreement, a 2/3 majority vote of the Voters Assembly is required at any regular or special meeting, provided said amendment is presented to all entities two Sundays prior to that meeting.
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Resolution
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Whereas we have agreed to these terms for creating and maintaining a Ministry Partnership, be it therefore resolved that we, the voting members of St. John’s Lutheran Church - Burt, Iowa and Trinity Lutheran Church - Algona, Iowa members of the Iowa West District - LCMS become a Ministry Partnership as described in this document.
This agreement has been presented and ratified at a voter’s meeting of both Churches.
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PDF Downloadable Version
| ministry_partnership_agreement_-_october_16_2016.pdf |