Page 12 - April 2020 Traveler

Trinity Lutheran Church Council would like to share the following information that they received

with the congregation

At the last congregation council meeting at Trinity, council member Mr. Jones inquired about the results
of my investigation into the Fair Labor Standard Act and if it applies to Synodically Authorized Ministers
within the Northern Illinois Synod. I responded that I was waiting until Bishop Clements had returned
from his work in Tanzania so that we might engage his wisdom on the matter. We have indeed met and
have conferred with Mr. Thomas Cunniff who serves as the General Legal Counsel for the ELCA. Mr.
Cunniff informed us that clergy and Synodically Authorized Ministers would NOT be subject to the FLSA
because they fall under the ministerial exemption provision determined by case law.

I pray this information is helpful to your congregation council. If I may be of further assistance, please
don’t hesitate to contact me. On behalf of Bishop Clements, please accept our deepest gratitude for
your continued partnership in ministry.

Together in Christ’s service,

The Rev. Pat Esker
Assistant to the Bishop
Operations and Governance

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