1) . . . remain a congregation within the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.   2) . . . remain a congregation which subscribes to the Word Alone - which speaks to sinners as law and gospel - as the center of both Scripture and Proclamation, and the symbolic, confessional writings of the Book of Concord (1580).   3) (a) . . . be a congregation which acknowledges that its identity is grounded theologically. That is, Salem will not permit itself to define the rationale for its communion from any perspective that is derived demographically, sociologically, psychologically, politically, professionally, or liturgically, or in terms of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social status, or sexual orientation. Therefore, Salem will be a congregation which refuses to be drawn into discussions as to who has the "correct perspective" with regard to the above-named dynamics, or who we might be outside of the Word alone. In short, the members of Salem will confess themselves to be a communion of sinners without distinction declared righteous for the sake of the Word, or Christ alone.        (b) . . . be a congregation in which, acknowledging that the rationale for its communion is theological, or derived through the mutual confession that the Word alone is our sole source of righteousness in all matters, the diversity and varying commitments/backgrounds/lifestyles of its members can be discussed and lifted-up in a prayerful, safe environment.   4) . . . be a congregation which, within the context of its Lutheran theological commitment and Word and Sacrament ministry, continually seeks to accommodate through its worship both the one commitment of its members to our one Lord, and the diversity of worship expression with regard to that one commitment.   5) . . . be a congregation which welcomes new members from all traditions, never forgetting to educate both new and old members alike regarding the theology, commitments, and priorities of the Lutheran tradition.   6) . . . be a congregation whose stewardship (i.e., management of selves, time, talent, financial, and other God-given resources) is directed by faith and trust in God's daily gifts, and not by fear; by the abundance of God's blessings, and not a logic of scarcity.   7) . . . be a congregation which continues to vigorously support its declared commitments to Synodical support, Lutheran World Relief, a relationship with its sister congregation in Sanya Juu, Northern Diocese, Tanzania, and World Hunger.   8) . . . be a congregation which, through the vocations and public behaviors of its members, continually cultivates itself to be a presence of Christ's reconciliation and healing within the community of Ponca.   9) . . . be a congregation whose decision-making process will be rooted in its extensive, empowered committee system; a decision-making process grounded in calm, prayerful deliberation by the "Body", and not by the anxious, rash decisions of its "parts." Salem will be a congregation which emphasizes, especially through its decision-making process, the "Body" and not its "parts".   10) . . . be a congregation which seeks, through all of its channels of activity and fellowship, to cultivate a non-anxious atmosphere of trust; a non-anxious atmosphere of trust which, in turn, results in a high level of congregational activity among members on the basis of love and equality.   11) . . . be a congregation, recognizing that fellowship is where the Body of Christ "breathes" and grows in mutual trust among its members, which continually promotes and cultivates opportunities for fellowship among all of its members.   12) . . . be a congregation in which all members are equally empowered, most notably through the congregation's extensive committee system, to serve the ministry of Jesus Christ, each according to their unique, God-given gifts. Also, Salem will be a congregation which empowers its youth to take active roles in the ministry of Jesus.   13) . . . be a congregation, acknowledging that "conflict is necessary and combat is optional," which creates and perpetuates, as followers of Christ baptized into his Body, a non-anxious atmosphere for handling congregational conflict in a safe, loving, and scriptural (Mt. 18: 15-20) manner. Conflict - recognizing that "smoothing it over" or "putting a lid on it" is unhealthy and actually perpetuates conflict - will be viewed, on account of Christ, as an opportunity for mutual prayer and conflict resolution within the context of prayer, openness, honesty, and reconciliation among Church family.   14) . . . be a congregation which, as a responsible steward of its physical resources, handles the preservation of its physical resources in a proactive manner.