Congregational Meeting Minutes
Semi-Annual Meeting - May 23, 2004
Family Meeting - December 5, 2004
Congregational Meeting - December 12, 2004
Congregational Meeting
- November 11, 2005
ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH
SEMI-ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
SUNDAY, MAY 23,2004
11:30 AM
PARISH LIFE CENTER
Minutes
Upon establishment of a quorum, Congregational President Don Bergstrom called the meeting to order. Pastor Peterson led an opening prayer.
The minutes of the January 25,2004 congregational meeting were presented and accepted.
A proposed constitutional amendment (C12.01) to change the size of the church council from twelve to ten members was presented. Motion to adopt was defeated.
The nominating committee presented a slate of candidates for 2004-2006. They included Tiffany Melcher, Carol Crader, Kriss Beckman. Pam Smith, Gary Cowles, Carter Naylor and Ken Tate. Motion to elect the by acclamation was seconded and adopted.
The congregation considered proposals to reduce the budget deficit. First was a proposal to refinance the current mortgage for 20 years saving approximately $4,300 per year and to discontinue the every member subscription to the Lutheran Magazine and our congregational subscription to Christ In our Home. A motion to this effect was made and seconded. Motion was adopted. Second was a proposal to remove the S-I-R program from the general budget, establishing a separate fund to which individuals would be invited to contribute thereby reducing budgeted expenses by $2,500 for the remainder of the year and to decrease benevolence tithe (mission giving) by 50% to reduce budgeted expenses by $4,000 for the remainder of the year. A motion to that effect was made, seconded and adopted. Finally, a proposal to raise facility use fees a total of $1 ,000 and the Hand in Hand utility/insurance/maintenance offset fee by $100 per month was considered. A motion to that effect was made, seconded and adopted.
A motion was made to adopt a new bylaw requiring prospective council members to have . maintained active membership within the congregation for one year prior to consideration
was presented. The motion was seconded, but defeated.
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned with the Lord's Prayer.Respectfully Submitted,
Ken Tate
Congregational Secretary
Ascension Lutheran Church
Ascension Lutheran Family Meeting
December 5, 2004
Projected Income - $133,500 (as of 12-5-04 projected budget)
Current Challenges - estimated $18,000.00 budget shortfall- decline in membership
Numbers Don't Show Everything- Assets and Resources are many- generous giving community
- faithful congregation
- energetic members
- outstanding daycare ministry- large building
- valuable property
- neighborhood location
Potential Pathways
- Sharing resources with other congregations in similar situations- cooperative ministry- 2-3 pastors for group of churches with different locations focusing on different areas of congregational life
- weekly worship for all- Consolidate building space
- possibly renting out back Sunday school rooms during the week to non-profit organizations
- Sell building space
-partial sale of 1 or more buildings and lease back to ourselves
-sell property and move to different location
-Change in building use-
- cut back on utilities by using only 1 building
- Create formal agreement with Chamber Music to lease office space
- Inquiry to Bridgepoint- are they interested in more space or time- possible joint ownership?
- Evangelism- Our finances make it difficult to manage as we are. Increase evangelism efforts to provide membership for renewal in means of spiritual growth, programs and expenses.
-Focus on Exuberance verses desperation
-Publicity- We need to get our name out to more than just the local neighborhood
- Increase our own offerings
-Offer contemporary Service with new musician to add to services
-Personal meetings with pastor for visitors and missing members
-Daycare could cover more of utilities
-Meeting with our Bishop, and synod representatives for ideas and support
Ascension Lutheran Church Congregational Meeting
December 12,2004 11:40 AM
I. Meeting was opened with prayer led by Pastor
II. A Quorum was established
III. Minutes from the last congregational meeting were reviewed and approved
IV. New Business - Adoption of the 2005 budget
a. Kelly Condon went over the budget changes from the proposed budget
b. Discussion followed concerning ideas on funding our benevolence items
c. Motion was made to amend benevolence to a fixed amount as long as the amount totals stay at 5% of our offering intake
d. Budget was approved
V. Synod Convention will be in May
a. Members should begin thinking about who would like to attend as our representatives. We will select them in the New Year
VI. Volunteers helping in the office were appreciated
VII. Meeting was adjourned with a prayer led by Pastor
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