In response to the trend of declining membership within the ELS, the ELS Board of Trustees (BoT) asked
ELS President Obenberger to convene a Commission of Congregations at Critical Mass (CCCM) to study
the matter.
The CCCM is asked to review the situation which many of the ELS congregations are facing as their
membership declines to a point where the congregation is not being able to support regular pastoral
service. The Commission is tasked with exploring valid options identifying how congregations might
address their various issues with the help of synodical assistance, which may include limited monetary
support. It will also advise the BoT how the synod might provide realistic and meaningful assistance to
such congregations.
