NewSong Interim
Council
Minutes of April 3, 2003
Meeting
The
NewSong Interim Council met on Monday, April 3, 2003 from 7:14PM to 8:31 PM at
the church office. All Interim Council members except Brent Orr were present
including Dave Allen, Rebecca Brown, Tom Frederick, Steve Jackson, Curt Sloyer
and Michael Smith.
Dave
Allen moderated this meeting and did a marvelous job keeping us on task and
getting us out on time.
1. The first item of business was the Senior
Pastor Employment Agreement. Steve Jackson excused himself while this
discussion went on. The group invited Steve back and said they had approved the
agreement with the only stipulation being that Steve promise to take all of his
vacation.
2. Next was the Pastor’s Report.
a. Steve reviewed the March 2003 attendance and offering numbers.
Our attendance for the year to date is averaging of 172 per Sunday (up 4
from last month). Our YTD average weekly offerings are $3,780.56, which
is up $510.57 from last month. There were no membership gains or losses since
the last meeting. Steve mentioned the Hubers were probably leaving the church
and that we have two or three families who will be joining in April. There were
three graduates of CLASS 101 on 3/30/03.
b. Steve also advised his next surgery
date is June 27 and that he will be out for 3-4 weeks. Steve welcomed
suggestions about how to handle the preaching while he is out. Please let him
know your thoughts.
3. Next Dave Allen brought up a question
about the March benevolence. We have a total of $2,298.73 to give away
for March. Dave knows of a person who is in dire need of a vehicle. The
suggestion was made that we pay up to $2,000 for a vehicle for this person.
During the discussion some had concerns about spending all our benevolence
money on “one of our own”. Dave agreed to talk it over with some folks who have
already volunteered money towards the vehicle then we will know how much we
actually might need to spend. Curt will continue looking for a reasonably
priced vehicle.
4. The Seeds of Faith stewardship
campaign was the next topic. We discussed whether or not to keep our budget at
$220,000 when we only have $183,000 in estimates of giving. Treasurer Tom
Frederick stated that he’s reviewed the numbers and believes we will have at
least $40,000 more in offerings from people who have not made an estimate of
giving so he is comfortable with the proposed budget as it stands. The group
agreed and will propose the $220,000 budget.
5. There will be a special church-wide
meeting on April 27th to vote on the Bylaws, the Budget and to
elect Elders. We discussed properly notifying our members of the meeting (US
Mail) and how to get them the information for review (via our website plus mail
it to them if they request it). Michael Smith will handle this. Dave Allen will
chair this meeting. We also briefly discussed the protocol of the meeting.
6. The Proposed Bylaws were
discussed next. We presently have it so that only ordained pastors can serve
communion. We also have it so the Board of Elders and Pastor can amend the
Bylaws without congregational approval. Steve and others think this is not
good. Steve suggested a rewording, which the group agreed on. The Bylaws were
therefore amended so anyone can serve communion under the supervision of an
ordained pastor and so that the Bylaws can be amended only by a 2/3rds vote of
the Board of Elders, the Senior Pastor plus a 2/3rds vote of the voting
membership of the congregation.
7. Dave then discussed our Easter plans
for the church including Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services at Ingram’s
Funeral Home. We’ll also be having an Easter Eggstravaganza and Processional on
Palm Sunday as well as our usual Easter sunrise service and pancake breakfast
on Easter Sunday. Everyone agreed to help serve on Easter morning (except Curt
who will be out of town on business).
8. The final order of business was the
presentation of a card and flowers of appreciation to interim council
member Rebecca Brown who is coming off the Council at the end of this month.
Rebecca was commended for her great service and for all she has added to the
church and to the Interim Council’s work.
Tom
Frederick then closed the meeting in prayer and the meeting was adjourned
at 8:31PM.
The
next regular monthly meeting is set for Thursday, May 5th, 2003 at 7:00pm at the church office.