Feb 10, 2010

ELDERS MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2010

Mullenix Residence, 7PM

Present: Pastor Eric Likkel, President David Anema, Chandra Mullenix, Beth DeVries, Kurt Munson, Rennie Araucto

Not Present: Mark R.

7:00 Greeting, gathering, prayer

7:15 Review of shepherding/co-pastoring role

District Updates

David A. has made some recent connections by phone and in person

Kurt reports he’s still making initial connections

Rennie sent emails to 3 in district; all are new to Rennie

Chandra hasn’t contacted her new people; was waiting for “final word”—oops.

Children’s Ministry Update

Matt Park introduced to church last Sunday; was officially offered position after church invited to meet/speak with Matt

Background check is still policy; still not followed to date

Mark R. investigated volunteers’ feelings about background checks; one person has objected

Teresa in process of receiving electronic copy of ER policy; Eric will provide hard copy

Council to Road Crew next; Beth suggests decision to impliment policy by next volunteer schedule roundup (July2010)

Who holds information? Eric & Teresa (as Children’s Ministry Lead)

Two adults with every group of children? Shared spaces due to few volunteers?

Sunday Morning Elder Prayers

Rennie’s idea: each Elder take a topic

Eric asks whether people seem engaged. Would like to step back, push Elders forward.

Beth agrees better if Eric “hands off”

Appreciative of congregation adding in prayers as well.

Whiteboard offered to congregation to suggest topics for prayer pre-service.

Introduce shared prayer with Fred suggesting/requesting a prayer.

Eric to take a seat, Elders to lead, open, pray, close; rotate.

Elders know role by standing order; OK to be silent pray-ers and out-loud pray-ers J

Slide with general topics: thanksgiving; supplication topics including healing, employment, etc…

Elders make habit of coming forward for prayer at bulletin’s cue, or at sounding of special “Time for Prayer” riff J

Communion

Eric alternates between atonement-focus and unity-focus

Kids and Sacraments—greater church conversation

Kurt, David, and Chandra to be regular sacrament presenters

Rennie speaks about awkwardness of communion for musicians; they are last ones while rest of church watches and waits; solution = conversation with Mark Nelson: one musician (instrument) to play while others enter line right away

How long do Elders stand up with trays? Musicians will guide.

Women’s Retreat

Jennifer, Anna-Marie, SueEllen originally expressed interest to Eric; inquired about history of ER women’s retreats (there was no history of women’s or men’s retreats)

Invited pastor/presenter to speak from Horizon Church, where there is established prayer ministry including deliverance, praying in tongues, etc.

Possible concern with theology, though recognizing strengths of Horizons Church’s gifts, strengths, calling

Women’s retreat to be structured with invitation to freely listen and pray; important to communicate that by inviting this Pastor to share, we are not suddenly endorsing a specific Pentecostal agenda or theology

Healthy for ER to have exposure and relationship develop with neighboring Horizon Church

Eric requests prayers about this; potentially divisive; yet feels it would be unwise to tune out what God is doing in other ways, among Christian neighbors

Prayer Desserts

Skipping Valentine’s Day

Colyn’s happening in March; looking for volunteers to host

Next Road Crew Meeting: Agenda

Children’s Ministry issues, including Matt Park’s role, policies, etc.

***Next Council meeting: Tuesday, March 9th 7-9pm in Ellington Conference Room

Agenda thoughts

Children’s Ministry policies: background checks, 2-adults

Prepare specifics ideas/options/issues at Council to present to RC; open up virtually/online before-hand

Discuss: How do we lovingly handle objections to policy? How do we present this?

Necessary for us leaders to share consensus re: key aspects of this policy; rationale, etc.

Discuss: Reinstating 2-person policy?

Prep for Council: Teresa consult Christina about work already completed and legal background

8:55 Review actions; Prayer; Dismissal

Eric to discuss with Mark R. about following up with individuals concerns re: background checks

Chandra to book common rooms at Ellington for meetings.

Schedule Road Crew for April

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