The Nativity Lutheran Church will provide leadership by faithfully supporting, inspiring, and overseeing the current and emerging ministries and committees
Council Meeting Minutes - December 13, 2011
Call to order: Lisa Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm, welcoming the new council members.
Present were: Lisa Bailey, Dave Nissen, Larry Johnson, Nole Kennedy, Marci Padgett, Alyce Van Til, Peggy Lindsay, Don Senecal, Dave Fredstrom, Ron Werner and Dave Nagler Absent: Ann Ross, Scott Johnson, Bill Rodgers.
Devotions: Devotions by Allyce. Henri Nouwen Becoming Food for the World- Jesus is chosen for all eternity. Jesus is chosen, blessed, broken and given. When we commune, we express the commitment to form our lives as that of Jesus. We become food for the world.
Approval of minutes – Dave Nissen submitted the minutes from last meeting. Don motion was made to approve the minutes. Motion was seconded and approved.
Financial Report : Larry Johnson - We are still struggling a bit to make budget. We still owe DF $9965
Business:
1. Interim planning report:
Lisa stated that a name has been given to Nativity. Jan. 10th there will be a council meeting with assist bishop coming. Exec team is putting job descriptions together for the interim pastor and how Ron W may have a role alongside the interim. Interim will be ¾ time and Ron will contribute ¼ time towards the redefined ministry. The job description will be completed prior to Jan. 10th. The interim pastor will be available for meetings with council members after Jan. 10th.
2. Stewardship report:
o 10% given to operating budget
o Temple talks
o Freewill offering at special events
o Lisa needs an article for the January newsletter from Stewardship, it is due Dec. 20th. Don S. will do this
Staff Reports:
Ron -
1. Staff has had a farewell event for Dave
Pr. Dave –
1. Germany trip- the trip has been cancelled.
2. Youth event at common table on Dec. 12th was very nice. The kids prayed over Dave. It is a multi-cultural gathering. About 50 kids were there last night, kudos to Ron.
3. Priorities for next two weeks:
a. Attentive to needs of the leadership team
b. 30th he leaves for Europe
c. Updating files, including job descriptions, general files,
d. Council approved one service on Dec. 25th and Jan. 1st
e. Charlie Bade will officiate at services on Jan 1 and 8, 2012
4. We will be looking at copier contract again as it is so much money. Lisa asked someone to take the copier contract on. We hope to save money on this. Can we purchase a copier rather than lease it.
5. Nativity mortgage- we would like to look into refinancing the mortgage. Larry will look into our existing mortgage and advise council.
Dave Nagler Exit Interview:
Present were: Sandburgs, Richard Berg, Sue Jorgenson, Mary Aasland
Strengths:
1. Congregation is different today than 7 yrs. ago. Conditions 7 years ago gone. We have healed from the past, refocus on where we want to go. Sundays were active but that was it. Some Bethlehem Inn connection. Quilters were there. Focus was inward, and perhaps this was necessary. Now will think outwardly, inclusively, how to reach out to our community. Theologically weÕve grown to acceptance of all people, not what is typically seen in the church. We still have growth to reach. Encourages us not to fall backwards on this. Denominational affiliation is good, but being broader than this is touching the needs of people who are not a part of the church. We have deserved a right to be heard in our community. We are the go-to congregation for social needs. Our ÒpoorÓ location has been overcome by reaching out. There will be a tendency to fold back into ourselves. Dave guarantees that people will come forward to concentrate more on people in Nativity and less outwardly.
2. Ministry Teams i a great step forward. Empower movement forward, foster ministry and get out of the way.
3. Staff- we have a great staff.
a. Ron is singled out for the breadth of his work vs. his call. Nativity is a two-pastor church again, though Ron is not ordained. He is an associate pastor for all intents and purposes. During the interim it will be important to allow Ron to work as an associate pastor. Council has set the ball in motion for this to happen. We really are a two pastor church and need to recognize this. Ron will help to carry our mission forward- a very positive movement for Nativity.
b. The interim needs to be the head of the congregation.
Areas of challenge:
1. Stewardship- Used to be the church had more money than mission. $75 per giving unit, now it is $5 per giving unit. One older, long-time member dies and it takes 15 givers to match. Thus, we have to do more ministry with less financial resources. We need to train stewards. This must be a spiritual movement to honor God and ministry. Not making stewardship a means to meet the budget. Younger people are not motivated by meeting a budget, but by growing spiritually. Dave feels this has been neglected in past years. Ie. We have two pastors but donÕt compensate as such. This will include good financial planning. Ask people who are able to put the church in their will. Baby boomers will transfer $12 trillion in assets to the next generation. Asking is the key and providing strong spiritual growth opportunities. See Loren Meade book. We do not have a long term strategic plan.
2. Growing edge of church- our growth is in 20Õs and 30Õs, something very different from the larger church. These people need to be included in leadership. They come because of inclusivity, not religiously conservative and we do important things in the community. And we try to do this inter-generationally.
3. Long term facility and property evaluation- donÕt abandon our location. Think about getting a location closer to downtown. Can this be done with ecumenical partnerships. Have access to a building downtown, not necessarily buy one. Trinity sanctuary is virtually unused. Think about this.
4. Choosing new leadership- Future pastoral leadership. There will be a lot of people who will want this job. People will come and hope to retire here. A pastor could come here and coast for 10 years due to the position we are in. Find someone who wants to come for who we are and where our mission is pointing us. Be discerning as to whom we choose. Think of someone who is younger than Dave. Think about female leadership or alternative sexual orientation. Find someone who doesnÕt look like a Lutheran pastor. Embrace our differentness.
Questions from group:
1. Kirk- does the congregation have any say as to the interim? No, the council will make the decision. We have one person right now to choose from. The candidate is a very good one, states Lisa. There may be other choices, but likely not as good as this one.
2. If it is supposed to be a one year interim, can this be shortened? Yes it can. Formation of call committee quickly and keep the heat on the synod will help move the process along.
3. Seminaries- which might produce a better candidate for us? Dangerous question cuz each seminary has people who are well qualified for us. PLTS is highly regarded by Dave. Chicago is good. Luther has moved more progressively lately. Does not know about Philadelphia. DonÕt preclude anyone who has Fuller on their resume.
4. Younger than Dave? How many calls? Have at least one call already is recommended. Out of seminary at least 5 years. Careful if someone has just been at a mop up call. Often first calls are not nurturing of the pastor.
5. Look for someone who has a post-modern view of the church.
6. The synod will likely have to give us names that have been waiting a long time for a call and not meet our criteria. This out of obligation. We can also submit names to the synod whom weÕd like to interview.
7. Note: ministry that is pushed rather than pulled by the pastor at Nativity.
What are the hindrances to our ministries. A) there will be a group that is unhappy with our direction and will want to pull back on our ministries and look inward. Good thing is that Dave did not take the reins of these. The ministries are led by the people. Remind people that the church is running the ministries, not Dave. So we will continue with these. B) Dave should not be back at Nativity for official or public business until the new pastor is established.
The Council meeting was closed with prayer at 8:40 pm.