Annual Congregational Meeting Minutes
January 30th, 2005
Gathering
Devotions
Council President Alex Plavacos called the meeting to order 6:12
Quorum was declared
Beth Kearney introduced, representative from NC Synod, Bishop Bolilck’s office
Approval of Minutes
February 8, 2004 Annual Congregational Meeting minutes approved as presented.
2004 Highlights (slide)
Recognition/Acknowledgements (see slide)
Response to the Word: Action/response to what we have heard
2005 Vision (see slide) Jeff Dozer
Teams
Core Values:
Connectedness
Communications;
Leadership Task Force
(see attached slides)
Motion from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Council to approve changes to the church constitution.
Preschool Board members:
Council recommends the wording changes in sections C12.01.01B.01 and C18.03.T89 of the Congregational Constitution (full wording of changes in the 2004 Annual Report)
We are reducing the number of Preschool Board Members from 9 to no less than 7 members
Motion to accept the Constitution Changes as presented, brought by Council.
Discussion
Vote
Motion passed as presented
2005 Spending Plan
lSummary of Budget Process
lFall Giving Campaign to determine 2005 income—Sep thru Dec
lMinistry Teams budget request—Over $1,000,000 submitted
lFinance Committee developed and recommended Budget—Planned cuts in many areas
lExecutive Ministry Team developed final recommendation to Council—Cut in funding for staff position, maintain balanced budget
lAlternatives Considered
lSeek more pledges
lSpend dedicated funds
lTake incremental cuts including part-time staff
lCut staff positions
l“Nickel and dime” Ministry team budgets
o
lCouncil debate and final motion to Congregation—Funding level at $935,000
Beth Kearney (explaination)
if we adopt the budget, Kimberly’s call would not be affected. We would be adopting a budget, which would not fund her compensation. To end her call, Kimberly either needs to resign, or we would go through a Synod process utilizing the Bishop’s office to discuss ending her call.
Discussion:
Terry Westbrook: if Kimberly does not resign or this is not resolved through the Bishop’s office, would we be obliged to continue to compensate her?
Beth Kearney: yes
Comments from Pastor David
How is the staff dealing with the recommendation? The staff is grateful for the concern. The staff has prayed and supported each other. Job security issues have been discussed among the staff. Reiterated that the staff is committed to the mission of this church. Kimberly has handled this admirably.
What would this mean to us as a congregation? Again, grateful that the question has been addressed by the congregation. Know that there will be a time of transition. Wants the congregation to realize that we (staff and congregation) will all have to do our part to make this work if this plan goes forward. Offered a prayer for our discernment.
Contingency Plan for Christian Education
lTask Force established to develop plan and oversee recommendations
lFaith Invasion-to be supported by existing staff
lVacation Bible School-would seek volunteers to plan and direct
lAll Pastors will support VBS week
lSunday Morning Education
lChristian Ed Ministry team will continue
lMike Montgomery-Council Liaison
lCarolyn Pratt
lBeth McCauley
lRuss Corbally (find out)
lRecruit others as needed
lAdult Education
lGeorgina Jones
lPastor David
lRecruit others as needed
2005 Budget plan details-Christina Valente
2004 Results (slide)
Cash position (slide)
2005 Budget overview(slide)
2005 Budget overview-expense changes (slide)
2004 Pledge status (slide)
Actual vs. Budgeted income(slide)
Income statement History(slide)
2005 Income Projection (slide)
Motion from GSLC congregational Council to approve the proposed 2005 budget for 935, 000.
Discussion: (from congregation)
Brenda Dozer: So, budget is very tight, even with the staff cut?
Christina Valente: Yes
How do other churches deal with this type of situation?
Beth Kearney: they struggle the same way
Are we legally obligated to pay Kimberly?
Beth Kearney: Yes, as long as she is called to the congregation. There could be a legal disagreement as to how much the amount would be, whether you would use the salary she is paid now, or the salary she received when she was called.
Kathy Strawbridge
$71,000 was cut from ministry requested budgets, but it looks like these budgets went up 7%?
Christina Valente. Yes, the original requests were much higher
Kim Sweet-explained using property as an example
Paul Lester-explained that the cut was from the original budgets, which were submitted by committee-1.6 million. The 71k is the result of several budget reductions.
Jim Joseph: If we operate a church as a business we should be able to eliminating the funding of this position, offer a severance and be done. But what it seems like will happen is we will still be obligated to pay this person. Are we obligated by the synod to do this?
Beth Kearney: you are obligated to the person not the synod. There are ways to end a relationship with a called position , but cannot do this from a financial standpoint. While the church is a business, it also is handled differently because it is a church. The Holy Spirit is something that leads us.
Alex: we have a contingency to pay her through June and if the position is vacated earlier could possible use this money to help manage this vacancy for the short term.
Dick Martin: commended the council for the hours of work and preparation. Take the recommendation seriously and support it. Recommend that part of the synod’s responsibility is to make this work and support us.
Bruce Worhle: in regard to the proposed income: have we discounted pledges in years past?
Christina: Yes—anywhere from 5-7%
Myron Byron If the called person is still here in June, and funding only goes until then, what happens then?
Alex: we would go back to the congregation to ask for the money we need for other things if we have to continue to pay for this position.
Jeff: If this winds up being the case, the process we will have been engaged in with the Synod will hopefully have been completed by this point (June).
Kate Greengrove: even with this budget there are programs that are not budgeted (Campo Verano for example) that we will be asked to contribute to.
PD: we don’t simply limit our giving to our spending plan. We have a history of doing this and certainly will continue to celebrate and be grateful for this.
Mary Frank: deficit over the past 3 years: Has the reserve fund decreased by ongoing deficits?
Christina ValenteYes.
Jenny Falk: If we have operated on a deficit for the past three years, what are we going to do so this doesn’t continue ? Concerned how this will impact our congregation and staff-what is our long-term plan for this?
Christina: it is our job to communicate to the congregation our financial position. But it is very important for people to give at a regular rate.
Alex: reserved funds are used to pay when funds are low—and are replaced as the funds come in. Long term perspective: the leadership task force is studying other churches. What kinds of staff positions do these churches have? Some of these have an operations manager. Or even a paid staff position for Christian Ed.
Paul Lester: If the budget goes through, and Kimberly does not resign is the purpose of the synod involvement a consultation that would engage us in whether or not the call is something this church wants to continue?
Yes. In 12 years, the synod has never gotten to the end of the process. These cases have always been resolved between the person and the congregation with the synod as support at some point during the process.
Adam Buff: budget has its flaws. If there are better ideas, bring them forward. If not, we should vote on what has been presented.
Call the question : Rich Melke 2nd Dick Martin
Motion Passed 129 for 28 against 2 abstentions