Redeemer Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes

Sept. 18 , 2006, 7:00 PM

 

In Lieu of a regular council, we were able to meet with Bob Bewersdorf, Sr. Regional Consultant, Western Region, LCEF Capital Funding Services, Denver Office.  Purpose was  to discuss Congregation Services provided by LCEF; particularly capitol funding services.

 

Bob first asked for round-table input of what our individual 3-year vision for Redeemer.  Visions included  following:

·        Increase membership of: younger families, Hispanics, those new to Salem Area.

·        Make our presence known in the community.

·        Provide community-based services & outreach; e.g. to single moms & children.

·        Improve member support to meet spiritual needs.

·        Provide physical assistance for the aging population in our congregation.

·        Be more involved with the Vietnamese congregation.

·        See more fellowship among our members.

·        More interaction with other area churches.

·        Finish and utilize the second floor.

·        Better partnership with Concordia.

·        Build the music ministry

·        Have funding for a youth director, perhaps shared among other churches.

·        Be a magnet church for the community.

·        Grow in our love for Christ and each other.

 

When he asked about barriers to these visions, the overwhelming responses included:

·        Burn-out of those who have been serving for many years, and

·        Difficulties with finances.

 

After discussion and thoughts about our circumstances, he suggested we consider a Consecrated Stewardship Program, provided by District.  This is a low-cost program that includes stewardship education for everybody, based on 1 Chron. 28 & 28, and implementation.  This program will teach us to clear the air/table while we prayerfully, and together, discover God’s plan for our ministry.  Ryan McIver, NW Vice President, LCEF, Portland office, is currently receiving training to lead this program within congregations. Bob will ask Ryan to contact us.  Cost is based on size of congregation and giving amount

 

Bob further recommended that we continue with the NCD process, seeking a commitment of people’s time to agree on our ministry plan and prioritize it.  We must be able to meet our current financial obligations and get commitment for giving from members before moving towards a capitol funding campaign.  Once we are at the point where we can build a ministry plan, LCEF can partner, very successfully, with us for a capitol fund campaign. 

 

Bob noted our abundant building and land space emphasizing that we must plan for it to be used for God’s work.   He outlined costs of the LCEF Capitol Improvement Program: $16,000 over three years: 30% due up front ($4,800), the remainder ($11,200) spread out over the 3 years.

 

Sept. 18, 2006 Council Meeting Minutes                       1 of  2

Bob closed, saying he would follow-up this meeting with a summary of his findings and recommendations  (email attached).

 

Paul called for quick updates on necessary items before our next Council meeting.

 

He reported that the $300 in Thrivent congregational money is still available to us and will be used toward the reader board.

Doug motioned we hold a special collection this coming Sunday to cover the $176 shortfall of Summerfest costs. Any funds over that amount will be set aside for Summerfest 2007. Seconded, approved unanimously.

 

Board reports are attached.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:30.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Jan Shearer, Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sept. 18, 2006 Council Meeting Minutes                       2 of  2

----- Original Message -----

From:   Bob C. Bewersdorf

To:       Rev. Joel Brauer

Cc:       Paul & Jonet Schutz ; Ryan McIvor

Sent:            Tuesday, September 19, 2006 3:00 PM

Subject:            Church Council Meeting with CFS

Pastor Brauer, Thank you for inviting me to meet with your Council yesterday evening. I enjoyed getting to know you and your leaders, and to discuss how Capital Funding Services and LCEF could help move Redeemer’s ministry forward.

 

During our discussion, we identified some of the key barriers facing Redeemer’s leaders, including 3 key areas:

 

·        Lack of involvement from many of its members

·        Limited Financial resources - even to the point of falling behind on debt payments

·        Need for enhanced stewardship education

 

Although CFS would be pleased to partner with Redeemer in an immediate capital campaign (Sustained Giving Stewardship Emphasis), I recommend your congregation consider a three-phase plan to move forward in ministry:

 

1.      Implement LCEF’s “Consecrated Stewards” commitment emphasis - it is designed to increase stewardship of all members, with a goal of increased annual giving of 15-30% (I have attached a flyer for your review)

2.      Create a strategic ministry plan with specific goals, strategies and tactics to implement Redeemer’s vision for ministry expansion; it is best if this is completed with full participation of the members, and approved by the Voter’s.

3.      Conduct an SGSE to accomplish two goals: a. Provide over-and-above resources to implement the strategic ministry plan, and, b. Remove (or reduce) existing debt to make Redeemer’s vision a more immediate reality in the eyes of the members.

 

I will call Ryan McIvor and ask him to visit with you and your leaders to discuss the “Consecrated Stewards” stewardship emphasis, and to help provide resources from both the NWD and LCEF to help establish a specific strategic ministry plan.

 

I look forward to working with your congregation, as we are most certainly partners in the Gospel. May God continue to bless all you do for His Kingdom.

 

In Christ,

 

Bob Bewersdorf

Senior Regional Consultant

Capital Funding Services of LCEF

22580 E. Riverchase Way

Parker, CO 80138

303-841-5584 (office)

708-846-3020 (cell)

Bob.Bewersdorf@lcef.org