JOINT COMMITTEE (FIRST, MOUNT AYR; TRINITY, CRESTON) RESOLUTIONS - OCTOBER 2013

Post date: Nov 7, 2013 8:37:52 PM

First Lutheran Church Resolution October 27, 2013 adopted

Whereas: the congregation of First Lutheran Church- Mount Ayr, facing a declining membership and subsequent loss of attendance, and

Whereas: First Lutheran Church – Mount Ayr, has no financial ability to call a permanent full-time pastor, and

Whereas: we see no potential for growth without a permanent pastoral presence, and

Whereas: the board of First Lutheran Church – Mount Ayr has diligently pursued many other possible avenues for the growth the Lord's work within the church and the community, and

Whereas: we have met jointly with a committee from Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church for discussion and a search for possible solutions, and

Whereas: ultimately received this resolution as a solution to the future closing and dissolution of First Lutheran Church – Mount Ayr and the disposal of its congregation members, be it here

Resolved: that the members of First Lutheran Church – Mount Ayr transfer the property and liquid assets of First Lutheran Church – Mount Ayr to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church – Creston, and be it further

Resolved: that the responsibility for the records, files and physical assets of First Lutheran Church – Mount Ayr be transferred to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church – Creston, and be it further

Resolved: that the memberships of the Congregation of First Lutheran Church – Mount Ayr will be transferred to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran– Creston, and be it further

Resolved: the building of First Lutheran Church – Mount Ayr will remain open as a preaching station of Trinity evangelical Lutheran Church – Creston for a minimum of five years, and be it further

Resolved: that the pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church – Creston continue to serve this preaching station for as long as it remains open, As He Has Served First Lutheran Church – Mount Ayr, and be it further

Resolved: that memorial monies held for the building location in Mount Ayr remain in accordance with the wishes of the original giver, and be it further

Resolved: that all of the above transfers of property, assets, memberships and responsibilities be completed as near to the date of January 1, 2014 as possible, and be it further

Resolved: that the desired result will be a single church and congregation, having a single Constitution and bylaws, one name, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, and one pastor serving at two locations, and be it finally

Resolved: to give God but the honor and glory for this opportunity to maintain and expand the work of God in the community of mount Ayr.

Voted on this 27th day of October, 2013

TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, CRESTON IOWA - RESOLUTION OCTOBER 20, 2013

Whereas: We are called upon by our Lord to preach and teach throughout the world. “[18] And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 and,

Whereas: The purpose of this congregation shall be to bring honor and glory to God by devoting itself to the work of maintaining and enlarging the kingdom of God by proclaiming the Word of God (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8), by uniting in worship (Hebrews 10:25), by providing for the instruction and growth in Christian faith and life for all age groups 9Deut. 6-6-7; 2 Peter 3:18), by practicing fellowship (Acts 2:42), by exercising Christian discipline (Matt 18:15-17; Gal. 6:1), and by serving the needs of all people in Christian love (John 13:34-35; Gal 6:2). And,

Whereas: The Secretary of the Synod has declared that because our Called Pastor has been regularly preaching at First Lutheran, Mt Ayr, we are in a “Dual Parish arrangement”, and,

Whereas: The Confessional standard of the First Lutheran Church, Mount Ayr, Iowa is essentially the same as Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Creston, Iowa, and,

Whereas: Our Christian brothers and sisters of First Lutheran, Mt Ayr have been considering the dissolution of their congregation, and,

Whereas: The members of First Lutheran Church, Mount Ayr have expressed a desire to transfer their membership to Trinity Lutheran Church, Creston be it

Resolved: That we welcome the members of First Lutheran Church, Mount Ayr into membership in Trinity Lutheran Church, Creston, and be it further

Resolved: That we accept the transfer of the physical and liquid assets of First Lutheran Church, Mount Ayr as a gift to Trinity Lutheran Church, Creston, and be it further

Resolved: That we establish a preaching station in Mount Ayr, Iowa to be located initially in the current physical location in Mount Ayr, Iowa, and be it further

Resolved: That any income generated as a result of operating the preaching station in Mount Ayr be placed under the control of the Treasurer of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Creston, and be it further

Resolved: That the Pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church continue to serve the preaching station as he has served First Lutheran Church, and be it further

Resolved: That the Treasurer and Financial Secretary maintain appropriate financial records pertaining to the operation of the preaching station in Mount Ayr and make regular reports thereon to the Voters’ Assembly, and be it further

Resolved: That it is our intent that the preaching station will be maintained for a minimum of five years, and be it further

Resolved: The continued status of the preaching station be discussed and considered at the regular Voter’s Meeting in October each year, and be it finally

Resolved: To give God honor and glory for this opportunity to maintain and enlarge the kingdom of God in Southwest Iowa.