In compliance with the church constitution requiring 60 day notice, on November 29, 2023, electronic notification was sent to the members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church to announce the annual congregational meeting to be held on January 28, 2024 at 12:05 pm in the Lynne Center. Besides elections and adoption of a mission plan, the congregation will be asked to consider constitutional amendments at this meeting.

We are including this note with Deacon Ashley’s letter so that no one gets left out of this important notification.

Some reasons for the constitutional amendments include:

• Updating the required provisions to be in alignment with the Model Constitution for Congregations as adopted at the 2019 and 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assemblies;
• Following the recommendation of the Endowment Council to move chapter 22 of the constitution, which limit investment options, to chapter 5 as Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions; 
  
• Adding a Nominating Committee structure to improve Good Shepherd’s participation in the governance of the Western North Dakota Synod Assembly, Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Lutheran Camp of the Cross, Congregational Council, and Endowment Council;
• Allowing Congregational Council members to serve a term schedule identical to the Endowment Council’s current structure;
• Clarifying language around memorials and the Memorial Fund as opposed to bequests with regard to the Endowment Council;
• Editorial changes to reflect best practices.

      On the advice of Murray Sagsveen, Attorney for the Western North Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, updating of this constitution will follow the process outlined in C16.04 of our current constitution.

Paper copies of the proposed constitution are available at the kiosk in the narthex/lobby and in the office. A digital copy of the proposal is available on www.gslcbismarck.com under “Who We Are”. In the proposed constitution, the parts highlighted in yellow reflect the proposed changes.

In addition to constitutional considerations, the normal agenda of the annual meeting will be followed, including elections to the Congregational Council and Endowment Council, as well as to select Good Shepherd representatives in meetings of the Synod Assembly, Missouri Slope, and Camp of the Cross. People interested in serving these leadership roles should contact a council member.

With Deacon Ashley’s impending departure, the Council authorized hiring a Senior High and Confirmation coordinator and it has initiated plans with our Synod Bishop for a potential call for an associate pastor. Of course, this decision is contingent on congregational support of the proposed Mission Plan (budget) for 2024 to be considered at the annual meeting on the 28th of January!

Thank you for your support of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, your contributions enable the church to thrive and grow. We look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting and we pray you have a most blessed Advent and Christmas season!

Lance Gaebe

Congregational President,

Lance Gaebe