In congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, of which Grace is one, our structure is bottom-up instead of top-down. This means that the typical hierarchical structure found in businesses and non-profits alike is turned on its head. The congregation as a whole makes decisions about its ministry. The decision making structure within the congregation looks like this:
Congregation in Assembly (in congregational meetings)
Congregation Council (elected by the congregation at large)
Executive Committee (elected from within the council)
Church Staff (hired by the executive committee to fulfill a job description)
Pastor (called by the entire congregation)
When we come together for congregational meetings, any member of the congregation is able to share, question, propose ministry ideas, and offer solutions for problems or challenges. On Sunday, January 23 at 10:30 am, we will gather in Hope Hall and via zoom to discuss the ministry of Grace Lutheran Church in our annual meeting. If you believe God is calling us to serve in a particular way or if you would like to offer a solution for a problem or challenge you see us facing, please put your proposal in writing and then reach out to council president Tim Gallen (thegallens08@gmail.com) to let him know you would like to be on the agenda. If you put your proposal in writing prior to January 9 and send it to Tim, we will be able to include it in the annual meeting materials.
Because our structure is bottom-up instead of top-down, the church is the people. If we want Grace to serve in a particular way, that means we will serve in a particular way. The pastor leads and visions, and the church staff organize and tend the ministry as described in their job descriptions. But the work of the church is the work of the people. We are church together for the sake of the world God loves!