ELDERS NOTES MARCH 6, 2012

Bedlam Coffee, Belltown

Present: Eric Likkel, David Anema, Biff Gaitan, Kurt Munson, Mike Elenbaas
Absent: Rennie Araucto (solo parent whilst Amy’s away)
Notes:
1. Checked in w/each other around table, confessing personal highs/lows

-note: Kurt Munson relocating to Tacoma end of March, uncertain weather short term, long term

Eric asked how worship event and/or small group fellowships support Elders in their roles, keeping them spiritually supported, so they can support others; all shared how important these are personally

2. Elders Districts; shared the blessings and challenges we see among congregation
3. Elders prayed and disbursed

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 NOVEMBER 2, 2011

7-9PM Greenwood Office
Present: Mike Elenbaas, Eric Likkel, David Anema, Rennie Araucto; Excused: Biff Gaitan, Kurt Munson, both working

7:00pm Checked in with each other

Devoted several minutes to praying for each other as prompted by check in time

November 13 Road Crew Agenda: Budget piece

• Mike Elenbaas brought Stewardship Team’s proposals for Road Crew; included story of how ER has been doing financially - pretty good; bank account and expenses holding steady - ; BUT, we haven’t yet spent annual tithe – this is typical/regular for Emmaus Road, as it is usually saved for end of December/January; Stewardship Team proposes a 10% tithe at end of year based on actual giving for said year;
• Other important part of Emmaus Road story is how some large single gifts add to congregational giving alongside monthly/weekly givers; the way people give varies
• Stewardship Team Presentation to be offered to Elders by this Friday; to Road Crew this Sunday Nov.6 with encouragement to review, ask questions ahead of Nov.13 Lunch Meeting

District Updates

• Elders shared a few examples of challenges faced in supporting members under their spiritual care; renewed focus on helping direct people to God as ultimate healer, provider

Roots/Branches; next steps, fan out

• Briefly discussed one “branch” of increasing church’s Visibility, and various ways that happens

Dismissed at 9:15pm

ELDERS MINUTES SEPTEMBER 6, 2011

7-9PM Greenwood Office
Present: Mike Elenbaas, Eric Likkel, Biff Gaitan, David Anema; Excused: Rennie Araucto, Kurt Munson

1. Council Calendar – reviewed
2. Joys/Concerns - went around table, each Elders sharing a few thoughts from each category
3. Word & Prayer – didn’t do Word, but did Pray
4. Elder Districts – took a random approach to assigning; sent message to Kurt, Rennie to look over; Sunday, everyone talks to people in their district; for people who are absent, Elders call/email

8:50 PM Decided to close w/prayer; approach ROOTS/BRANCHES in between mtgs.

ELDER NOTES FEB.15, 2011

7PM Greenwood Office

Present: Eric Likkel, David Anema, Kurt Munson, Rennie Araucto, Beth DeVries

7:00 Greeting/Prayer

7:10 Scheduled next mtgs (Council, Elders, Road Crew)

• Stewardship Team Friday Feb 25
• Road Crew, Sunday March 13 - Stewardship team update
• Council March 22, Elders April 12, Council May 10, Road Crew May 15 (SWOT ?)

7:15 Elder District update; reviewed online google doc, discussed individuals, needs, relationships with church, etc.

• After going through list of people, decided to delay permanent re-assignments until two new elders nominated/installed by end of May; Beth sending update to folks to let them know the whole elders team is available in the meantime
• After reconsidering assignment process, chose to keep as is

8:20 Further SWOT discussion

• Spoke to need to evaluate categories against church’s Mission, Motto, stated purpose
• Elders approve Pastor’s idea of addressing current generation of ER parents with opportunity to do better than before; also affirm connection between addressing parents w/Parenting Beyond Sunday project and the opportunity to do better with Sunday mornings; Eric to work w/Teresa; also approve Purim “all-family worship service for March 20 (Rennie)
• Evaluating Prayer:
• ER seems strong in prayer when laying on hands, when responding to tragedy (after 9/11, after deaths);
• Sunday morning prayers in worship seem effective to Elders; propose dedicating entire service to prayer (include song, sacrament); decide to schedule for Palm Sunday, April 17 (Eric w/Mark Nelson)

9:30 Prayer; Dismiss

ELDER MEETING NOTES Sept. 7, 2010

7PM Greenwood Office

Present: Eric Likkel, David Anema, Kurt Munson, Rennie Araucto, Mark R.

Elder Seat open following Chandra's fulfillment of term. Fill by October 1.

Rescheduled next Elder Meeting

Google Docs: Publish Good doc for elders to share (restricted)

Shepherds and Sheep: How are you (Elder) and folks of district?

Proposal: Deacon work with Stewardship Team to handle ministry of food bank/gift distribution for members in need; proposal approved

Mark proposes discussion on revitalizing small groups. All agree to prioritize for next Elders meeting.

Proposal photo directory of people: approved

Prayer Proposals; Pastor Eric Likkel brings ideas to table; proposals discussed; permission to explore

Children's Ministry Volunteer Background Check; prior to vote, discussion ensues

Vote: five of six elders (including pastor) vote to approve background checks for everyone, including current volunteers

Discussion continues about merits of writing a majority and minority report, explaining to church rational for voting for and against the motion; elders pledge to write reports

Emmaus Road Annual Budget: two step process proposed: release budget prior to Sept.23 Road Crew; then host Q/A session at the Sept. 23 mtg., followed by Road Crew voting meeting some Sunday afterward; approved

Networks/Church Plants/Forest Canopy; Pastor Likkel discusses ways Emmaus Road can partner/participate with other church plants; suggestion to invite church planters for post-worship lunch approved

Prayers offered

ELDER NOTES JUNE 8, 2010

7pm, The Ellington

In Attendance: Chandra Mullenix, Kurt Munson, Rennie Araucto, David Anema, Beth DeVries, Eric Likkel, Mark Rosnick

7:10 Devotional Reading and Opening Prayer

7:15 Review proposed agenda; prioritized items

· Pastoral Care: Reporting on health of each Elder as well as people under their care

· Planning outdoor baptisms

· Voting on approach for background checks

· Releasing members in healthy manner

· Emmaus Road's Annual Budget; preparing for better meeting; priorities, vision, follow-up

· Races and Parades; responding to regular Belltown interruptions

· Missional Edge/Leadership Development

· Succession: new Council President; others moving on

· Parish Collective; summary of June 6 event; Emmaus Road's future role

· Emmaus Road: time “to have a baby”? Storytellers/Matt Wolfe; Roots/Simon Cunningham

· Empowering emerging leaders; training

· David Anema in Belltown; developments, update

· Including friends of members in prayer rotation

7:20 Confirmation re: payment to Godly Play Storyteller (Matt)

Elders offered personal updates on self, people under care

8:25 Outdoor baptisms for one or more members; Elders encourage Pastor Eric to work out details and schedule event

8:30 Elders approve proposal to add missionary family to intercessory rhythm

8:30 Elder Nominations; plan to move ahead soon; employ Survey Monkey in process

8:40 Voting on background checks

Elders discuss pros and cons of requiring everyone to undergo background check, or have long term members grandfathered in; Elders share personal feelings about ramifications of adopting universal versus limited scope application of background checks; is it worth upsetting current volunteers, to require them to undergo background check against their wishes/convictions? Is it authentic and/or fair to allow some to be excluded from policy?

9:25 After vigorous discussion, debate, Elders agree vote be delayed to next meeting.

ELDERS MINUTES APRIL 13, 2010

Mullenix Residence

Present: Eric Likkel, David Anema, Kurt Munson, Chandra Mullenix, Beth DeVries, Rennie Araucto, Mark R.

7:00

Greeting, gathering, prayer

7:15

Elders check in with each other, discussion centers around how Elders are initiating conversations or building relationships with people in their districts; understanding the barriers or baggage that may be there

- revisit post-worship Elder prayer: discussed and approved to restart

- discuss how one deals with their own crisis, while operating as a shepherd for others

- discuss importance of ensuring all members understand their places of belonging and contributing; Could use a filter for how to connect with districts; Does this person feel like they belong? Like they’re contributing?

- Much of what we’re doing is counter-cultural; relationships between Elders/members is new territory for many in Emmaus Road, and often for us as well

Question: any plans for retreat? Answer: No.

Plans are afoot for Summer Camp again.

GroundWorks, May 23^rd

ACTION: Discuss retreat at next Council

7:50

Discussion of Sunday Morning Prayers; respond to concerns emailed from member

- decide to make a few changes to improve how prayer is led, engaging congregation

8:15

Flow Chart Chat

Rennie presents flow chart designed by Mike/Teresa Elenbaas at request of Council

- revisit reasons for discussing Emmaus Road’s decision making processes

- Intention for Council to have clear process for how to address new ideas/issues and make decisions.

- Provides level of transparency to Road Crew. In past, division has occurred.

- Elders approval to be passed to Council, to be passed to Road Crew as pitch.

- suggestion: “big” decisions made by Elder super-majority, at least.

- comment: this fits with Reformed governance; falls somewhere between Pastor-only & “congregationalism”.

- withing Council, Elders as spiritual leaders; Deacons as advisors to Elders.

- Question: could process become wearisome? Answer: discernment and criterion needed: use this process for decision which use church resources.

- Comment: this process represented by Flow Chart is not rule, but guideline.

- Suggestion: things to put through process: anyting requiring members or money resources; or anything to be sponsored by church, anything with an “Emmaus Road” stamp

- Comment: former version of Flow-chart created several years ago; never used

- Comment: Process must be helpful, not hindering

8:55

Follow-up from last meeting

- briefly revisit background checks; Action: Table until decision-making process determined

9:10

Prayers

ACTION: Eric volunteers to review and prepare minutes for publication

Next Meetings here at Ellington

May 11th, Council

June 8th, Elder

July 13^th, Council

July 22^nd, Road Crew

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 9^th 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

ELDERS MINUTES DECEMBER 8, 2009

The Ellington Conference Room, 7PM

ATTENDANCE
Pastor Eric Likkel; President David Anema; Secretary Chandra Mullenix; Mark R.; Beth DeVries
Excused: Rennie Araucto; Kurt Munson

JOYS/SORROWS 7:15

Eric:
Visited Darren Patillo, body continues to accept the kidney, feeling/looking well
Saw baby Simone Ruiter on Monday, healthy/well
Mark, Kurt, Rennie, new Elders!
Teresa Elenbaas, new Children’s Ministry Coordinator
David A. & Eric met with MHC staff person about community work, networking
Friday’s Christmas party!
Busy, hectic, overwhelming fall
Missing Josiah’s first string concert tonight

David A.
Americorps training went well in Chicago, met folks, networking with local churches
Today’s meeting with MHC staff person and Eric
Found out had cleaned carpets at aunt of shooter’s home, wanting to help out
Still in a mode of “freak-out” with the new position, but fading from it ☺

Mark
Neat to be here, in new ministry opportunity
Fun this weekend with family, and Likkels
Long hours at work: nights/weekends, upcoming stressful week out of town
Health? Pretty good, fatigue with long work hours, though no full-blown relapses

Beth
Nephew, family

Chandra
Grace’s new treatment plan, and ongoing complications b/t Grace and Mom’s needs

PRAYER: paused for prayer following sharing of JOYS/SORROWS

ELDER DISTRICTS
Proposed districts to be emailed to Kurt & Rennie for “approval”
See separate Word document

CALENDAR
Monthly for Elders, bi-monthly for full Council (Elders/Deacons)
Next Council mtg. January 12, 7PM
Next Elders mtg: February 9th, 7PM

PRAYER
Mark led closing prayer

ACTIONS!
Eric: Introduce new Elders to congregation this Sunday, December 13 (if Rennie/Kurt available)
See ACTION ITEM box in right hand of blog for “leftover” action-items

ELDERS MINUTES SEPTEMBER 22, 2009

Tuesday evening, 7-9:30PM Ellington

Pastor Eric Likkel

President David Anema

Secretary Chandra Mullenix

Suellen Yerger

Beth DeVries

Joys/Sorrows

Suellen:

• Camping!!
• Inconveniences of having cars on the fritz

Eric:

• Folks from Vermont Inn have come into ER community
• Ryan has begun leading Post Alley Small Group
• Jason willing to continue hosting W night SG; David A. open to leading
• Family is ill, still

Beth:

• Finding a Godly Play teacher J
• Amy, Rennie, Chad & Sarah pulled this all together

David A:

• Cousin has cancer, and is quite ill; will help weekly M’s with recycling

ELDER DISTRICTS/NOMINATIONS

Viewed Elder Districts document

From first wave of inquiries, possibilities/interest indicated by Amy Araucto, Rennie Araucto, Linda Bishop

Uncertain yet: JP Benoit (b), Valerie Benoit (b), Brad Bishop (d), Cornell Blackwell (b), Anna-Marie Chainus (b), Mike Elenbaas (d), Teresa Elenbaas (d), Ryan Engel ©, Kristin, Engel ©, Nancy Morrow ©, Kurt Munson (d), Mark Nelson (d), Christina Nelson (d), Darren Patillo (b), Sara Patillo (b), Tim Phipps (b), Randall Pope (b), Mark R (d), Angie R (d), Dan Ruiter (c), Reba Ruiter (c), Cynthia Tanis (b), Jason Wood (d)

(initial stands for Elder shepherding this particular person)

RELEASING SUELLEN

• Suellen had previously addressed Eric about having fulfilled three years as an Elder and desiring to step away from Elder ministry at this point
• Elders paused with agenda and prayed a blessing over Suellen
• Planning to pray over Suellen at point of welcoming new Elders in, some Sunday in October or November

COUNCIL CALENDAR

• Elder Monthly
• Council Bi-Monthly

• October, Road Crew
• November, Elders 17^th, 7pm
• December, Council 8^th, 7pm

ROAD CREW (7-8:30, 10/15)

• “MC” (Beth)
• Budget with Stewardship (Mike)
• New Road Crew Members (Eric)
• Presentation on Community, David/Daniel/Jennifer (Eric)
• Presentation on Classical Shares (Eric/Mike)
• Groundworks (Eric)
• Godly Play Update (Beth or Chad)
• Share Elder Nominations List (Eric)

PRAYER

• Keep on with Sunday night Prayer Meetings
• Prayer-after-church rotation, all come up front for next few Sundays
• Supplication to share with Elders, pass Eric’s notes down the row (sent out night before)

ACTIONS!

• Elders: ask your people about Eldership interest; tell Chandra by 9/27
• Chandra: compile, send to Elders
• Eric, David: send nomination list with letter to Road Crew
• Chandra: email new Districts list to Elders
• Chandra: book Conference Room for meetings

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

NOTES FROM JUNE 8 ELDERS MEETING

Elders discussed 1 Timothy 4:16, after Pastor Eric's introduction; talked about spiritually healthy practice of examining one's heart toward people in church, keeping "close watch" one's relationships and feelings, in order to address conflicts, fears, etc., in faith.

Elders declined to follow through with Pastor Eric's proposal, re: an official update of Road Crew membership policy; discussed alternative ways of assessing and inviting commitment, mainly through regular personal contact, including the invitation to discuss the updated Purpose/Identity statements.

Elders agreed with proposal to dispurse throughout Elder Districts to invite response; awaiting final wording of Purpose/Identity statements from Pastor Eric.

PURPOSE/IDENTITY STATEMENT: SECOND PASS

Dear Council, this represents my first and second attempts to rearticulate Emmaus Road's IDENTITY and PURPOSE.  I brought key texts and phrases to our Elders meeting on Sunday, May 4.  Suellen, Andrew, David and I talked through these verses and phrases; I explained how they speak to me, why I believe they speak to our body.

More recently, I reformulated the expression of our name, motto, etc.  Read below; let's share thoughts online; what do you think? 

MY PLANS:

1. Print, post, display, and "softly" present this material during the May 31st retreat, with room for folks to write comments

2. Keep the printed comment boards up on Sunday mornings over the summer.

3. Over the next several weeks or months, "divide and conquer" as Council members out in mini-forums and small gatherings of couples and individuals throughout our Elder Districts, to get feedback and generate discussion.

4. Build consensus by the fall; somehow celebrate our renewed Call as a church body; special Road Crew event, August 28; or use some Sunday morning worship event as the occasion

EMMAUS ROAD: WHO ARE WE, WHY DO WE EXIST, WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?

NAME: Emmaus Road
As the Lord walks alongside us, he reveals and we discover
As the Lord walks alongside us, we walk alongside another

MOTTO: Church: Sunday and Beyond
We experience God in Gathering, Word, Sacrament, Song
We experience God in Going, Walking Alongside, Talking
We experience the fullness of God, in both Gathering and Going

CALLING/MISSION/PURPOSE/IDENTITY/VISION:

EMMAUS ROAD EXISTS TO…
Grow as a body of walking, talking, disciples of Jesus

EMMAUS ROAD EXISTS TO…
Bring the Kingdom around the Sound, wherever I live, work, and play, empowered with gifts of the Spirit. As an individual, I walk alongside my neighbor, leaving God’s fingerprint in relationship. I set aside the secular, pagan, or pharisaic self, to accept myself in Christ’s body

EMMAUS ROAD EXISTS TO…
Reconcile Tower and Street cultures, to plant seeds and create new life with our neighborhood. As a church body, we walk alongside these neighbors, leaving God’s footprint in community development, through mutual hospitality, partnership, service, art, and industry. We set aside traditions rooted in fear, idolatry, legalism, or worldly ambition, to accept the identity of Christ’s body serving the world, Word made flesh within our neighborhood.


Texts which stand out to challenge, guide, and shape us

Deuteronomy 1:28, 21
Israel: “The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky.”
Moses: “Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deuteronomy 11:18-21a
18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land…

Jeremiah 29:4-7
This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

Zechariah 4:6,10
"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.”
"Who despises the day of small things?”

Luke 14:13-14
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Luke 24
“He walked alongside…”
“they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us…’”

John 4:31-34
Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."
But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."
Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?"
"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

Colossians 3:11
“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

Hebrews 10:23-25
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Phrases of mission, purpose

• Walk alongside
• Host; Hospitality; works both ways, as in Emmaus Road story of disciples, who “urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us…’”; Walking alongside leads to mutual hospitality: Jesus in Matthew’s house, Zacheus’ house; Peter in Cornelius’ house; Joe Corsi giving me a parking place; Green Space;
• Generations; ministry with children is futuristic; kids serving with us, kids in Green Space
• People of the Story, People of the Walk
• Keeping Story and Walk real, for every member of body
• Challenging contemporary scripts around us, re: urban growth, belonging, ignored people, progress, etc. (instead of consumers, creators; instead of ‘birds of a feather,’ ‘birds of many feathers,’ etc.)
• Storytellers; telling God’s story of city as opposed to world’s story; God’s story does not ignore the lepers, etc.
• Leaving a good footprint in the neighborhood, in the “microhood”, community/neighbor development
• Reconciliation; Bridging Tower and Street culture; One Safe Table
• Place among post worship, post cold-call culture (Green Space, instead of getting Blue into Yellow)
• Missional Measurements: acknowledging growth in terms of time, relationships w/people “along the way,” versus measurement of people in the Temple; measurements of “Green Space” where church crowd and world crowd meaningfully overlap

Methodology, Mechanics
• Transparency
• Leadership within Horizontal governance, leading by facilitating consensus
• Ministry in Concert, Partnership; Belltown Covenant; ABCD (Asset Based Community Development; grass roots)
• Leadership modes: Strengthen and Stretch – symbiotic necessity of building inward fellowship while engaging outward community in mission together