GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

Minutes of Congregation Council Meeting

December 17th – East Elementary Room

Present: Pastor Daniel Powell, Pastor Beverly DeBord, Tom Brodbeck, President Mark Klopfenstein, Vice President Matt Rugh, Secretary Sandy Thompson, Jeff Butterfield, Jerry Dudney, Deb Lange, Eric Leeth, Leslie McKinney, Sean Pierce, Mark Russell, John Smoot, Paul Buckles, Lance Jones, Justin Mohler, Ginger Hennig

Absent: Treasurer Robyn Koch-Schumaker

A. Opening

1. President Klopfenstein called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

2. Pastor Powell led the Council in opening prayer.

3. Personal Sharing: Several members expressed thanksgiving and asked for prayers.

4. Adoption of Agenda: President Klopfenstein presented the agenda, there was a brief discussion of updating the website by Jeff Butterfield and Tom Brodbeck, but no changes were made. John Smoot moved that the agenda be adopted, second by Leslie McKinney, motion carried.

5. Thank Outgoing Council Members- Mark Klopfenstein presented a gift of appreciation to John Smoot, Leslie McKinney and Jerry Dudney as they complete their Council terms and allowed them an opportunity to speak.

6. Welcome New Council Members- Mark Klopfenstein introduced Lance Jones, Ginger Hennig and Justin Mohler and had them each say a few words.

7. Matt Rugh led the Council in opening devotions.

B. Information Processing

1. Secretary’s Report: Sandy Thompson presented the Minutes of the November Council Meeting that were previously distributed to the Council. Jerry Dudney moved, with second by Pastor Powell, that November minutes be approved. After no further discussion, motion carried.

2. Treasurer’s Report: Mark Klopfenstein presented the November Treasurer’s Report. Mark shared the November Balance sheet and Profit and Loss Statement. He also shared that Grace will begin to incur interest for the first time on our Line of Credit for the Ministry Expansion and that $125,000 will be our first payment out of cash on hand for our Line of Credit. YTD income is $38,479 over expenses which includes $15,000 for unanticipated property repair not spent yet and $14,000 in utility savings for the year. Deb Lange moved that the Treasurer’s report be approved, Pastor Beverly second, the motion was carried.

3. Pastors’ Housing Allowance- Pastors Powell, DeBord, and Tom Brodbeck are allowed each year to designate a portion of their income for eligible housing expenses for tax purposes. These dollars are no additional cost to Grace, simply moved out of the income line to Housing Allowance. Pastor Powell presented a request for $27,000 of his income to be considered Housing Allowance. Jerry Dudney moved to accept this request with a second by John Smoot and the motion carried. Tom Brodbeck presented a request for $25,000 of his salary to be adjusted to Housing Allowance. Jerry Dudney moved to accept this request with second by Sean Pierce and the motion carried. Pastor Beverly presented a request for $27,000 of her salary to be adjusted for Housing Allowance. Leslie McKinney made a motion to accept this request with a second by Deb Lange and the motion carried.

C. Information Sharing

1. Council Retreat: Pastor Powell reported that the 2014 Council Retreat will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday January 11th, at the Grinnell Mill. Please arrive promptly, with Bible and pen/pencil, so we can begin promptly. PLEASE make every effort to participate in this significant annual event. Title for the event will be The Journey. The January Council meeting will take place at the retreat so there will be no meeting the 3rd week of January. Executive Committee will meet on January 7th instead of 14th in order to meet prior to Council meeting.

2. Pastoral Evaluations: Matt Rugh reported that Ginger Hennig and John Smoot will be assisting him and Mark Klopfenstein in these annual evaluations. All evaluations are due in by January 1st. Matt and Mark will meet with Pastors Powell and DeBord in January and hope to have a report ready for our February Council Meeting.

3. 2014 Council Devotions: Pastor Powell handed out our assignment for our 2014 Council Devotions, also titled The Journey. Please plan to meet with Pastor Powell 15 minutes before our scheduled Council meeting on the night you are to provide devotions.

4. Staffing Update: Pastor Powell and DeBord reported that they and Tom Brodbeck continue to work diligently to discern the next step for our staffing. They are hopeful to have a strategy ready in time for our Council Retreat. Please pray for them and this process. There was a good deal of discussion on how to handle questions and rumors amongst the congregation with final decision to be discerned by Pastor Powell. 5. Navigators Update: Tom Brodbeck updated Council on his and Pastor Powell’s progress with the Navigators training. They have been meeting with the coach and have also shared with him some of what Grace is doing as a congregation so far. The coach is very impressed and says that Grace is ahead of the game and asked to share our work with other churches. He described that the first 6 months is directed at the Pastors only, then they will begin to share with core people and then it will further branch out from there.

6. 2014 Nominating Committee: Mark Klopfenstein reported that Sean Pierce and Deb Lange are the only two Council Members eligible for the 2014 Nominating Committee according to our Constitution. Mark asked for any recommendations from the congregation to fill the other four positions on the committee. Please have those to Mark Russell and/or Eric Leeth by end of the month to finalize the committee for 2014. Eric and Mark did recommend that up to two of the four members from last year’s committee be asked to return for another term.

D. DATES TO REMEMBER

December 24 (Christmas Eve Worship) 6:30 & 9:00 P.M.

December 29 (Staff Resignation Gifts) Both Services

December 31 Noon Through January 2 (Grace Office Closed)

January 5 (Council Installation) Both Services

January 7 (Executive Committee Meeting) 6:00 P.M.

January 11, 2014 (Council Retreat-Grinnell Mill) 8:30 A.M.-4:00 P.M.

January11 (Council Meeting – During Retreat) TBA

E. 2014 Council Officer Elections: Pastor Powell accepted nominations for 2014 Council officers. Mark Klopfenstein nominated Robyn Koch-Schumaker for Treasurer with a second by Jeff Butterfield and she was elected by consensus. Deb Lange nominated Sandy Thompson for Secretary and she was elected by consensus. Deb Lange nominated Matt Rugh for Vice President and he was elected by consensus. Jeff Butterfield nominated Mark Klopfenstein for President with a second by Sean Pierce and he was elected by consensus. F. Closing Prayer: Matt Rugh led council in prayer.

G. Council Closure/Adjournment: President Mark Klopfenstein adjourned the meeting at 9:00pm.

H. Holy Communion: Council moved to the sanctuary and shared in Holy Communion.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandy Thompson