The first council meeting I attended was when I was on internship as part of the ELCA's ordination process. As I've shared before, I didn't grow up in a tradition that affirmed women's leadership in church, so there hadn't been any opportunities for me.
I vividly remember that first meeting because it was both my first meeting AND I was excited for it! I also remember the council members looking at me like I had grown a 2nd head re: that excitement.
Ask anyone who has either been on or had a family member on their church council and their most likely response is an exasperated sigh, followed by "never again".
And yet, without our church councils, congregations would be unable to do the work God has called us to.
The heart of council ministry--and it absolutely is a ministry--is to ensure that the essential work of our church actually gets done. Council members oversee the finances, navigate staffing needs and concerns, building and property management, work for clear 2-way communication with ministry teams/committees, and do the visioning work of the church (otherwise known as strategic planning in the corporate world).
St. Andrew Lutheran is a wonderful congregation, and a healthy (in all senses of the word) Council is an essential component of who God is shaping us to be. And right now, we need more folks to step up to the plate. Specifically, 3-5 more active members.
The main requirements are: active membership at SALC; regular Sunday worship attendance; committed to the mission and ministry of SALC; and a desire to serve God.
I'm no longer the new-to-the-ministry Vicar I was while on internship, but I still enjoy Council meetings. I love connecting with folks outside of Sunday morning, and I am always learning new ways of doing things because of the skills and wisdom of our Council members. I regularly leave our meetings feeling hopeful and energized for the next step in our life together. Not because we've solved all the problems, but because we are working through them together for the glory of God.
If you have discerned God's invitation to share your time and talents in this way, my door is open. Let's chat.