COUNCIL NOTES JAN 25, 2011

7:30PM New Horizons

Present: Deacons Mark Nelson, Ryan Engel, Teresa Elenbaas

Elders Rennie Araucto, Kurt Munson, Beth DeVries, David Anema

Pastor Eric Likkel

Council engages in SWOT discussion (assessing Emmaus Road's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats); giving floor primarily to Deacons during the meeting, as Elders meet more frequently

STRENGTHS

$

• Strong Stewardship Team
• Consistent giving
• Escaped negative impact of recession

Children’s Ministries

• Godly Play
• Adults who care for youth
• Approachable, capable, Children’s Ministry Deacon

Worship

• Musicians who want to work as a team
• Three bald guys

General

• Compassion; willingness to rally and respond to crisis of fellow members

OPPORTUNITIES

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• Address and adjust budget
• Partner with others – e.g., NH (office space)
• Engage everyone, Road Crew, to find creative solutions to financially sustain staff, giving, and ministry expenses

Children’s Ministries

• Bring more visibility to current children’s programs
• Church Beyond Sunday for kids @ home
• Involving every parent – COOP approach

Worship

• New ways to engage congregation

WEAKNESSES

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• Historic “deficit spend” approach
• Reluctance to provide insight, leadership, in addressing giving, spending

Children’s Ministries

• Programs lack visibility for newcomers
• Too small a pool of Nursery Volunteers
• Discontent among parents

Worship

• Only one main guitar player
• Three bald guys

THREATS

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• At current rate, go broke in 20 months
• Self-assured w/status quo rather than sober and serious to change

Children’s Ministries

• Nursery volunteer burnout
• Exodus of children
• Potential division among parents if concerns not addressed, tensions not managed

Worship

• Loss of musicians; fatigue

Topics for Elders to SWOT (place on future agenda):

• Internal communication, especially about tough topics
• Prayer
• Leadership Development
• Community Development