Our Congregational Council

The Magnolia Lutheran Church Congregation Council has general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The following summarizes the role and responsibility of the congregation council detailed in the MLC Constitution. 


The duties of the Congregation Council include the following:

  1. To lead this congregation in stating its mission, to do long-range planning, to set goals and priorities, and to evaluate its activities in light of its mission and goals.

  2. To seek to involve all members of this congregation in worship, learning, witness, service, and support.

  3. To oversee and provide for the administration of this congregation to enable it to fulfill its functions and perform its mission.

  4. To maintain supportive relationships with the pastor(s) and staff and help them annually to evaluate the fulfillment of their calling or employment.

  5. To be examples individually and corporately of the style of life and ministry expected of all baptized persons.

  6. To promote a congregational climate of peace and goodwill, and, as differences and conflicts arise, to endeavor to foster mutual understanding.

  7. To arrange for pastoral service during the sickness or absence of the pastor.

  8. To emphasize partnership with the synod and churchwide units of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as well as cooperation with other congregations, both Lutheran and non-Lutheran, subject to established policies of the synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

  9. To recommend and encourage the use of program resources produced or approved by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

  10. To seek out and encourage qualified persons to prepare for the ministry of the Gospel.


The Congregation Council is the board of directors of this congregation, and as such is responsible for maintaining and protecting its property and the management of its business and fiscal affairs. The Congregation Council will prepare an annual budget for adoption by this congregation and shall supervise the expenditure of funds in accordance with the adopted budget. 

The Congregation Council is made up of 9 members, elected by the congregation. These 9 members are eligible to vote and conduct business. The Pastor and other appointed officers (financial secretary, treasurer), will have voice, but not a vote, at the meetings. Members are elected from the voting membership of the congregation, and are elected to serve a 3-year term. No individual may serve more than two consecutive terms, and cannot serve on council at the same time as their spouse. Terms generally start and conclude with the June annual congregation meeting. Of the nine members, three will be elected by the council to serve in the roles of president, vice president, and secretary. These positions are one year terms, and each member of council is encouraged to serve in a leadership position at some point during their 3-year term. 

The Congregation Council normally meets once a month, for 90 minutes. The pastor, treasurer, and the 9 members of council are the regular attendees, however, all meetings of the Congregation Council will be open to members of the congregation unless necessary to go into closed executive session for special circumstances. Ten minutes of each regular meeting of the Congregation Council will be provided for comments by members of the congregation. Detailed minutes of each meeting are kept by the secretary, stored in the MLC digital archives, and are available to members of the congregation by request.