1. Convention Preview

2. Major Issues and Events
Book of Reports and Memorials (BORAM) to be distributed in early May. Already available online at
Ministry Plan (Budget) for
“In Christ Alone” long range plan
Election of President and 2nd Vice President
Election of numerous board members
Doctrinal essays on “The Sacramental Life” and “Care of Souls”

3. Major Issues and Events
COP report on termination of divine calls for financial reasons (available in early summer)
Declaration of Fellowship with the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church of Puerto Rico
Presentation by the Bishop of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church
Mission presentations
Marking the anniversaries of mission work in Nigeria (75) and the Central African Medical Mission (50)

4. Major Issues and Events
Update on the relocation of synod offices
Possible proposal for synodical capital fund offering;
As of today, we are continuing to negotiate both the sale of 2929 and the purchase of a new site. Any relocation will be done without using mission dollars; only funding will be proceeds from the sale and dollars already in the synod’s facilities fund.
The Captital offering will be discussed by the COP in May; if the COP approves, it will bring a recommendation to the convention for action.

8. Ministry Plan (Budget)
After several years of reductions, proposed budget for & provides for careful mission expansion:
Funding for 5-6 additional home missions starts
Fourth professor at Asia Lutheran Seminary; other East Asia expansion
Partial restoration of Christian Giving cuts
After 2 years of wage freezes the proposed budget provides a wage increase of 2.0% the first year and 2.5% the second year
Maintains programs at Min. Ed. schools

9. “In Christ Alone” Long Range Plan
Developed by the SC over the past two years
Broad roadmap for 2017 (not detailed strategies)
Areas of Ministry will develop strategies
Under God, planned expansion of mission and sustaining of ministerial education
Plans for continued monitoring

10. Doctrinal Essays at convention
“The Sacramental Life” (Pastor Jon Zabell)
“Care of Souls” (Pastor Darron Lindemann)
Completes the four year emphasis begun under “Christ’s Love, Our Calling” theme of the last convention
Bible studies will be made available in the fall of 2011 and 2012

11. COP report on Divine Call
2009 Convention asked COP to study the issue of the termination of divine calls for financial reasons
The report will be finalized in May and distributed along with unpublished memorials in early summer

12. Possible Capital Fund Offering
The COP has emphasized that special offerings should not be used to fund the ongoing work of the synod
One-time special projects can be funded through special offerings
COP will discuss the special offering in May
Special offering would support the following projects:

13. Possible Capital Fund Offering
Construction of an early childhood center at MLC
Retirement of remaining synod capital debt (eliminating the $1.6 million annual debt service would directly benefit Home and World Missions)
Program maintenance for all synodical buildings and campuses
Financial assistance for MLC students to limit student loan debt load

14. Relocation of synod offices
Currently negotiating the sale of current building at 2929 N. Mayfair Road
Currently negotiating purchase of an existing building in Waukesha/Pewaukee
No use of mission dollars; any move would be funded by the sale of 2929 and with funds already in the synod’s facility fund.