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Council 


Planning


Retreat
January 15 and 16, 2010

With a lot of input from the vision  forum, the Council met at 6:00 Friday evening and then all day Saturday following. After a time of prayer and a scriptural focus by Pastor Mark Hovestol on the foundation and mission of the Church in the second chapter of Acts, the work of the council began. The theme introduced in the Vision Forum-

How  can the Bemidji Evangelical Church best achieve its mission “to provide a spiritual home where people belong to Christ, fellowship with God’s people, grow in Him and serve others” in the next 5 years?

was the framework for the four sessions of the retreat.

Session 1- What is our mission?
This included a review of our mission statement, core values and the constitution and by-laws of the Bemidji Evangelical Covenant Church.

Session 2 - What are we doing now in ministry?
A review of our historic ministry strength was presented with a focus on what is successful, what should be continued in the future and what may need to be let go to focus on a vital ministry.

Session 3 - What is the context in which we minister?
Here we focused on contemporary issues of the church in the world and in our local congregation which will impact ministry in the next five years.

Session 4 - What are our future priorities?

  • Create a vibrant, alive family ministry, where men, women, youth and children grow.
  • Create a "sticky" church, that is that those come find a church home 
  • Create an environment where people are hungry for the Lord
  • Create an understanding of Biblical stewardship of time, talent and money
  • Become a process oriented church
  • Develop people who are ministry minded, caring for others

In addition to this process there were three action items by the Council:
  1. A motion carried to accept the Elders recommendation of Colin and Tara Heglund as members.
  2. A motion to appoint Kim Cousins to fill the Council position for Worship and Arts formerly held by Heather O'Dell. The motion carried. 
  3. A motion to establish a working group to study the financial needs of the church. The motion carried. The group is to bring a report to the Council at the next Council meeting. Appointed to the group from the Council, Dave Moffett, Mike Rasch, Greg Hall, Kim Cousins and Gary Gilbertson. From the pastoral staff, Mark Hovestol. From the congregation, Rhonda Dockendorf.


February

Council

Meeting



 February 23, 2010


The meeting began with a devotion from this scripture and the story of Jacob's interaction with God and having his name changed from Jacob to Israel, from Genesis 32:22-31 followed by a time of prayer.


After brief reports from each of the ministry areas and a report and recommendations from the financial working group appointed at the January retreat, the council moved to these action items on the agenda

  • Acceptance of new members
  • Establishing a constitutional review committee

One need identified in the January retreat was the need to review our constitution in light of current practice. A committee composed of Council and Staff members was charged with bringing proposed revisions to the next Council meeting.

  • Establishing a visioning committee

The January planning retreat was not to look at the coming year only, but to vision the next five years for the church. Time at the retreat was spent on future issues and this committee will be a working group to continue that process. The basic charge was to look at current ministry, evaluate present practice and generate ministry ideas to meet the needs of a growing and changing congregation in the coming years.  

  • Financial needs 

Action taken at the Council meeting to address the projected shortfall of approximately $60,000 in the 2009-2010 budget:
·      A budget reduction of $25,280
·      Delay mortgage payments 3 months which would save $39,186
·      Cut staff salaries 5% for the remainder of the budget year which would save $5,678
These steps will produce savings of $70,144. This will address the short tern need. The budgeting process will address future financial health. 

Ron Oldham for the Church Council                                                                                                             

 
Contact Church Chairman, Ron Oldham