church governance Task force
October 25, 2025
Pastor Burggraff has received a formal letter of admonition from Bishop Constanze Hagmaier.
In a video and written statement, President Cami Jacobsen answers the key questions surrounding this action including:
Does this letter change Pastor Burggraff’s status on the ELCA roster?
What did Pastor Burggraff say that merited the discipline?
Why did Pastor Burggraff say these things?
October 14, 2025
On October 23, Council will consider which denomination to invite to present to the congregation ahead of the second vote. Review the linked Lutheran Denomination Comparison PDF and share your opinion by emailing Secretary Mason Van Essen at MasonDVanEssen@gmail.com.
Mason will compile your feedback to share with Council.
Thank you for furthering the bold proclamation of the Gospel at First Lutheran Church!
September 28, 2025
The Resolution, "the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, intends to terminate its affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America," passed by two-thirds majority as required by the First Lutheran Church Constitution.
537 ballots were delivered to voting members.
530 ballots were returned.
360 ballots were in favor of the motion.
170 ballots were against the motion.
Mason Van Essen, Secretary of First Lutheran Church
September 22, 2025
Bishop Consultation
On Sunday, September 21, First Lutheran hosted Bishop Hagmaier for a consultation that included four short speeches from her constituents, a 30-minute Q&A, and the opportunity for small group discussion with former South Dakota Synod bishops, former FLC pastors, and leaders of ministry partners such as LSS, Augustana University, WELCA, and more.
The bishop provided a document countering the viewpoints of the FLC Governance Task Force. A fact-checked version is linked here:
September 3, 2025
Please see the below documents and links provided by the Church Governance Task Force.
August 1, 2025
Hello, First Lutheran Members:
Linked below are two documents from Lutheran Congregational Support Network that address the South Dakota Synod’s responses to many of the questions First Lutheran is considering. In addition, linked are responses to the most-asked questions at the sessions.
If you have any questions or concerns outside of the information sessions, please reach out to members of the Task Force and Council.
In Christ,
Mason Van Essen on behalf of the Church Governance Task Force
the issue at the center of it all
The changes in church governance slated for approval at the July Churchwide Assembly will allow the ELCA Council (the national body) to fast track the amendment process from a three-year review to nearly instantaneous approval.
This entirely removes input from local congregations.
By moving from a congregational structure to a hierarchical structure, it allows the ELCA to redefine congregations’ Purpose Statements, impose ‘interdependence,’ and enforce ELCA policy—all shifting the autonomy and control of First Lutheran away from our congregation.
task force overview
Formed at the February 2025 Council Meeting to research:
The proposed amendments to be voted on at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly
Church governance challenges
The future of being a congregation in the ELCA
Members: Barney Brandenburg, Micah Aberson, Mason Van Essen, Deb Nelson, Marilyn Van Demark, John Hegg, and Shad Carney
With a 7-0 vote, the Task Force recommended FLC begins congregation-wide dialogue, research, and review of church governance issues.
we believe
We believe we should be governed locally and not by a centralized authority, and therefore we should be allowed full control of what is in our constitution.
A number of ELCA synods and bishops are claiming congregations must adopt the Model Constitution and not their own constitution.
We believe we should have full control of our property and financial assets.
There’s a provision in the Model Constitution that allows synods to decide unilaterally to put a congregation under synodical administration, removing the congregation’s duly elected Council and giving the synod control of congregational property and assets.
We believe we as individuals and as a congregation should be respected and allowed to hold our own political and social views.
The ELCA’s Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith says, “When they (rostered leaders) speak on public issues, their words should be rooted in the Scriptures and are to be governed by official ELCA teaching.” This adherence to ‘official ELCA teaching,’ threatens our pastors’ call and duty to faithfully preach and teach according to the Holy Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions.
Special Meeting of the Members – Sunday, September 28, 12 p.m.
At the August Council Meeting on Thursday, August 28, the Council voted 12-2 to call a special meeting of the members as allowed by Sections 6.05 and 10.04 of the First Lutheran Church Constitution. The purpose of the special meeting is to vote on whether to terminate our relationship with the ELCA. The special meeting is Sunday, September 28, at 12 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
In the event that our congregation votes to terminate our relationship with the ELCA with two-thirds or more of the vote, a second special meeting will be scheduled at least 90 days after the first special meeting to vote a second time as to whether to terminate FLC’s relationship with the ELCA.
In Christ,
Cami Jacobsen, President
Mason Van Essen, Secretary, Co-Chair of the FLC Governance Task Force
concerns addressed
Concern: We’ve been allowed to be an independent congregation for decades. These Churchwide changes won’t actually impact us.
Church governance matters. The ELCA is shifting from a congregational structure (each congregation is its own organization; bottom up) to a hierarchical structure (policy is set at Churchwide and enforced down the line; top down). We will no longer be able to be an ELCA congregation and not follow their policies without consequences.
Concern: ELCA Churchwide will attempt to force congregations to preach ELCA policy.
This is a real possibility. With the proposed changes, Churchwide and the ELCA Council will be able to change the Purpose Statement for congregations without input from local congregations.
Concern: We don’t follow the ELCA’s policies, and, as a result, they will try to deroster our pastors or take our assets, property, and Foundation.
We will support our pastors, rostered or not, and work tirelessly to protect the legacy our brothers and sisters in Christ have left us.
research
We believe we should be governed locally and not by a centralized authority, and therefore we should be allowed full control of what is in our constitution.
Currently, in a number of synods the ELCA bishops are claiming the congregation must follow the Model Constitution and not their own constitution.
For more information, watch this video on structural changes in the ELCA: Video Link #1
And this video on the ELCA’s “Game Changer:” Video Link #2
We believe we should have full control of our property and financial assets.
There is a provision in the constitution, S13.24, that allows synods to decide unilaterally to put a congregation under synodical administration. That removes the congregation's duly elected church council and gives the synod control over all congregational property and assets. This provision has been used across the country.
Several such instances are highlighted in these videos:
Video Link #4 (starting at 2 hours 43 minutes)
Video Link #5 (starting at 2 hours 4 minutes)
We believe we as individuals and as a group should be respected and allowed to hold our own political and social views.
ELCA’s DEIA Audit Report: Report Link
Constitutional recommendations to enforce DEIA Audit Report recommendations: Report Link
Draft Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith includes this language in Article 35: When they (rostered leaders) speak on public issues, their words should be rooted in the Scriptures and are to be governed by official ELCA teaching.
This is the link to the entire draft social statement: Social Statement Link
encouragement
The Church Governance Task Force has watched many hours of videos and read hundreds of pages of documentation.
We ask that you do the same.
First Lutheran has been faithfully tending to the proclamation of God’s Word for over 100 years. Your attention and voice in these matters will impact the trajectory of our congregation for the next 100 years.
We need as much input from our members as possible.
If you have any thoughts, questions, or concerns, please seek out a Task Force member, a Council member, or another member of First Lutheran.
“This church governance research process has uncovered serious risks of what it means to continue to be an ELCA congregation. It is crucial that we, as a congregation, are informed. We need ALL voices to be heard in this process so we can fulfill our mission as a congregation, continue the ministries we cherish so dearly, and—above all else—continue to preach the Gospel.”
-Barney Brandenburg
Church Governance Information Sessions
The Church Council unanimously voted to host congregation-wide discussions about the current constitution of the ELCA, synods, and congregations as well as proposed amendments at the upcoming July Churchwide Assembly that will have a great impact on First Lutheran’s ability to control our governing documents, property, and Foundation.
Sat., June 28, 6:15 pm
Sun., June 29, 10:15 am
Sat., July 12, 6:15 pm
Sun., July 13, 10:15 am
Sun., July 27, 10:15 am
Sun., August 10, 10:15 am
Sun., August 24, 10:15 am
All sessions will be held in the Gathering Room.