ELDERS AS COMMUNITY DEVELOPERS

Elders, check out this blog post from a Christian Reformed online discussion forum, called the NETWORK. Neil de Koning is a Canadian pastor, writing about Elder issues. Here, he writes about the need for church leaders to embrace the role of community developers within the congregations they serve.

ELDERS MINUTES JANUARY 3, 2012

7pm; Uptown Espresso

Present: Eric Likkel, David Anema, Rennie Araucto, Kurt Munson, Mike Elenbaas (taking notes)
Absent: Biff Gaitan (accident / injury)

Notes:
1. Road Crew luncheons: Groundworks 1/29, March 4 meeting?
• Discussed finding support volunteers for Groundworks and Road Crew Lunch preparation. Currently L.B. handles lunches, could use help.
• Potentially add this volunteer position to volunteer list for next July-December volunteer ‘cycle’
2. January 29 Groundworks prep
• Discussed Need to promote next Groundworks.
• Mike to make Facebook posts leading up to Groundworks
• On Sunday, need to communicate what we will do ahead of time
• Example: Kids/Seniors Bingo Game at Simon Senior Center, Cleaning Simon Senior Center, NHM painting, etc.
• Need to highlight to parents of young kids that we do have daycare available – they should still attend!
• Eric expressed need for Shared action/desire/fruit as part of Groundworks → all of us need to buy in to this part of our community
• Upcoming Banner Article by Eric describing Groundworks Ministry . . .
• Kurt/Eric to explore UGM/ER rooted/linked opportunities with ministries
3. March 1, 2012 Classis meeting
• Attendees should be: Pastor, at least 1 elder, at least 1 deacon. The more the merrier. Two meetings per year (one in March, one in October)
• Action item: Mike to email Deacons / Council to recruit attendee(s)
4. 2 years of Service – Celebration to Honor David A
• Location ideas discussed: Rendezvous?
5. 1 Samuel 12:23
• “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.”
• Discussed personal prayer lists
• Discussed Prayer Districts (each elder’s district) – and how we could potentially confidentially share prayer requests amongst elder team
• Need to ask Road Crew member: Can I share this prayer request with the other elders?
• Agreed confidentiality is important to maintain, common desire to pray more together for Road Crew (communally)
• Will add confidential Google Doc for elders to share prayer requests – Rennie to develop this doc?
6. Benevolence Fund / Food Pantry
• Food Pantry – agreed our church is not in a strong position to offer this – there are many food sources in Seattle for needy (UGM, etc.)
• Food cards seem to make better sense – possibly part of benevolence fund.
• Benevolence Fund – the Acts X:Y (insert chapter:verse) Fund
• We take care of each other when we’re in need.
• We need way of addressing one-off instances of need amongst Road Crew
• Discussed following ideas for fund:
• Part of Church-wide tithe? (e.g. budget line-item)
• Separate fund in ER bank accounts – track giving to, payments from
• Questions re: can this fund have its own non-profit status
• Eric to check with Ben Katt re: Aurora Commons set-up, etc.
• Mike to check with his friend who is treasurer for non-profit re: legal set up
• Present to Congregation whenever one-off instances of need pop up
• Promote to Children: Giving to Those In Need, giving their change jars to the fund
• Conclusion of elders: Percent of Church annual Tithe is preferred method, Stewardship team to track as a separate fund for Road Crew needs
• Any outside Road Crew needs that arise will be addressed by Elders/Council with proposal made to Road Crew
• Mike/David A to discuss amongst Stewardship team how to manage this fund on quarterly basis
7. New Horizons Resources
• Discussed need to define how we respond to Sunday morning requests for NHM clothes, etc.
• Story of negative experience with one recent request
• Agreed to ask Biff about current NHM policies
• Eric mentioned some NHM policies will be changing in coming months
• Agreed that we need to be clear with Road Crew what we can and cannot do with respect to NHM resources on Sunday mornings
• Can: Restroom, Coffee, snacks
• Can’t: NHM clothes/resources – need NHM staff present
• Discussed having an ER ‘resources’ closet with socks. “Heavenly Feet” . . .
• Discussed how Seattle’s street community
• Has significant access to food (UGM, etc.)
• Limited access to shelter
• But there is a need for relationships – something that ER can meet
• Current ER policy: No ‘backstage’ passes. Update to be given at February Council meeting re: latest NHM policies and intent with respect to clothes/resources.

ELDERS MINUTES MAY 14, 2009

Thursday evening, 7-9PM Greenwood Office

David, Suellen, Eric, Biff in attendance; Chandra, Beth and Ben excused absences

7:10PM Elders shared Joys/Sorrows

·       Biff: moving to Florida early August; unable to find employment; joy about not having to move into Bread of Life, thanks to Bishop family

·       Eric: sorrows about Biff leaving, certain member gone; joys Council has stepped up; joys about David loaning bass to Josiah

·       Suellen: joys about healing, returning strength; joy about connecting with Joe Haley, Don Turner

·       David: joys about sister’s healing, no cancer in latest diagnosis

7:40PM Elders prayed over joys and sorrow and prayed for one another

7:50PM Elders discussed further Agenda Items and approved agenda

7:55PM  Future Elder/Council mtg. locations:

·       suggestions include Uptown Espresso, New Horizons; ACTION ITEM: BIFF LOOKING AT UPTOWN’S CALENDAR FOR JUNE 11

8:00PM Elder Districts; Member health, etc.

·       updates on situations re: couple members who've been absent

·       Eric read Chandra’s update via email on her Elder district 

·       Elders make a Covenant of Trust with their people; between the two of them and the Lord

·       Biff reports a connection having been created between himself and just about everyone in his district

·       David reports some good conversations between himself and the folks in his district

·       Eric asks about whether the Elders find “structure” helpful, or keeping things occasional; room for both approaches

depending on Elders and inviduals they shepherd

·       Suellen attending first meeting; had not chosen district during recent illness; since Biff is to depart in August, it’s decided Suellen could shepherd Biff’s district: ACTION ITEM: BIFF/SUELLEN WILL APPROACH FOLKS THIS SUNDAY AND BEYOND

9:15PM May 28 Road Crew Agenda

·       Elders decide that a Road Crew mtg. not totally necessary in May; no pressing ministry issue warrants meeting; Church has been positively engaged in events over last few months; ACTION ITEM President Anema (w/help from Pastor) will write email to Road Crew, telling of meeting cancellation, inviting response re: future meetings

9:25PM June 11 Council Agenda:

·       New Horizons

·       Other items to be added later

 9:30PM President Anema closed meeting in prayer