SUMMARY OF GUIDELINES           REVISED  2007

• The conference is for Senior Pastors and spouses (small additional charge for children).

• Invitations will be mailed to the Senior Pastors of the largest ELCA congregations based on weekly attendance. The minimum number is 500+ weekly attendance.

• Churches with less than 500 weekly worship attendance will not be invited regardless of total baptized membership*.

• If the number of baptized members drops below the minimum, the Senior Pastor may attend the conference for 3 years if he/she had previously attended a past conference and remains at the same Church. If he/she leaves, and the number is still below 500 weekly worship attendance, the new Senior Pastor is not eligible to attend until the number reaches the minimum stated above.

• The conference will be self-supporting and appreciates the financial support from long term partners Thrivent and Augsburg-Fortress.

• There will be no commercial exhibits or ELCA program displays. Pastors may not bring platform issues.

• Generally the conference will run from dinner Monday evening through Thursday morning communion. Date each year will be the first week of May following the first Sunday of May; i.e. the week before Mother’s Day.

• Subjects for the program will be determined by the Steering Committee and will focus on the specific needs of Senior Pastors of large congregations.

• The Bishop of the ELCA will be the only Church official invited to attend.

• The conference sessions will be held in resort centers rather than Churches for a change of scenery, more relaxation, informal fellowship, and rest.

• A Steering Committee to arrange the conference will serve for a period of 3 years and will be selected by those attending the conference. A 2 or 3 year staggered system has been instituted whereby up to 4 are elected each year. Treasurer and communications coordinator are ongoing posts and continue at the pleasure of the executive board and conference participants. 

• A Senior Pastor who has been attending the conference will be privileged to attend the conference three years following retirement, and will be expected to pay the program fee.

• A Senior Pastor who has been attending the conference and moves to a non-qualifying congregation or seeks other Church-related employment and no longer serves a parish will be privileged to attend the conference three years and will be expected to pay the program fee.

• Exceptions can be granted by executive board. Example*: Churches showing significant ongoing growth that are nearing the 500 weekly attendance can be eligible for an invitation.