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CouncilPlanningRetreat |
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- 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?
In addition to this process there were three action items by the Council:
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FebruaryCouncilMeeting | 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
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.
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.
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 These steps will produce savings of $70,144. This will address the short tern need. The budgeting process will address future financial health. |


