Congregation and Ministry Support Group

The 2009 convention made changes to the group of ministries that had been part of Parish Services. The convention had resolved to retain all of the existing commissions. Those commissions, now called the Congregation and Ministry Support Group (CMSG), were to operate under the direction of the Conference of Presidents and serve to help district presidents as they work with congregations and called workers.

Because of budgetary reductions, two of the commissions (Adult Discipleship and Youth and Family Ministry) are currently without administrators. The Conference of Presidents has recognized that two other positions would be valuable additions to the work of the CMSG. One of those positions would be a director of a new Commission for Congregational Counseling, a commission to replace the Parish Assistance program. The other would be an associate director position that would oversee and coordinate the increasing early childhood programs throughout the synod.

Funding is available for only one of these positions. The Conference of Presidents requested that the districts discuss these four positions and provide input as to which one would have the top priority. Districts discussed the various needs and have forwarded their advice to the Conference of Presidents. The COP will determine which position to fill and will extend a call in early fall.

- Excerpt from the July 6 issue of Together e-news