March/April 2010 - The American Association of Lutheran Churches

Planting…Growing…MaturingThe Church: What a magnificent thing God creates!Imagine, he calls and gathers sinners, with nothing to offer, andthe Holy Spirit working through the Word, fashions them into theChurchSadly history shows that sometimes we in the Church getsidetracked. In Corinth the Christians began to focus on oneleader or another as the insider track for the Church. Paul writesto correct them by writing: “I planted, Apollos watered, but Godcaused it to grow” (1 Cor. 3:6 NET). Note that each one is importantin God’s work of building the Church; favoritism regardingleadership detracts from God’s work.We in the AALC have had the privilege of seeing that truthworked out in our own midst. Over the past year we have addeda mission start, several existing congregations, and several pastorsto our roster. We have increased the number of seminary studentsand began a distance seminary program. We are planting, growing,and maturing congregations.For all of that, we thank and praise God.Plan now to join us this Summer in June at the 22nd AALCNational Convention in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It will be a time tomake new friends, reconnect with old friends, but especially torejoice together as we see God working in our midst: planting,growing, and maturing congregations.Call for NominationsThe Nominating Committee of The American Associationof Lutheran Churches officially calls for candidates for thefollowing positions. All nominations must be ordained pastors onthe Clergy Roster of The AALC or lay persons who are membersof an AALC congregation and in good standing. Nominationsmust be made by AALC congregations, not individuals. Allcandidates must have written consent and qualifications for officepresented with the candidate. All nominations must be in the NationalOffice of The AALC no later than May 22, 2010.The following positions are open for nomination:Executive Committee:• Presiding Pastor –four year term• Secretary – four year termBoard of Appeals and Adjudication: (six clergy and fivelaity, may serve two consecutive four year terms)• Need three clergy and three laityClergy Commission: (five clergy and two laity, may servetwo consecutive four year terms)• Need three clergy and one laityBoard of Directors of The AALC Foundation: (twoclergy and three laity, may serve two consecutive four year terms)• Need one from each regionCommission for Higher Education: (three clergy andthree laity, may serve two consecutive terms of four years)• Need one clergy and two laityCommission on Doctrine & Church Relations: (threeclergy and two laity, may serve two consecutive terms of fouryears)• Need two clergy and one laityA Call for ResolutionsThe Resolutions Committee of The American Associationof Lutheran Churches officially calls for all resolutions to beconsidered by the 22nd General Convention of the AALC to beheld in Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 22 – 25, 2010. All resolutionssubmitted by individuals must be in written form and signed bythe maker and the seconder. All resolutions submitted by churches,regions and duly constituted entities of the AALC must besigned by the chairman and secretary of the entity. All resolutionsmust be in the national office of The AALC no later than May 22,2010 if they are to be included in the convention workbook.Official DelegatesEach congregation of The American Association of LutheranChurches is entitled to send one pastor delegate. They arealso entitled to one lay delegate for each 50 confirmed membersof the congregation. These will constitute the voting delegatesfor that congregation. Congregations may send as many membersas they want; however, only the above number will be designatedvoting delegates to the convention.Please fill out your 2009 Statistical Report and send it into the AALC national office in Fort Wayne, IN by Mar. 31, 2010.Without this form we have no way to determine how manydelegates your congregation is entitled to. There is an interactivePDF form on our website, which can be found here:http://www.taalc.org/Assets/2009_Statistical_Report_form.pdfEvangel March/April 2010 13