Ministry Leadership Team minutes

June 14, 2010, 7:00 PM

Present: Gerry & Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Julia Fisher, Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy,

Randall Shull

Absent: Dan Burkhart, Christy Kauffman

1.          Dwelling in the Word: Ephesians 4.1-16

Randall led a time of dwelling in this passage and team reflected together on what we noticed and were drawn towards.

2.         Prayer

Lynn Roth led in prayer.

3.         Approving Minutes

Minutes from the May 10, 2010 meeting were approved as written.

4.         Reporting

Christian Formation

Jonathan sought further feedback from Team in relation to a marriage he will be officiating in September.

Community Life

Carolyn Rudy reported that Stu Cary has agreed to serve as a new usher coordinator.  Team is grateful for Rhonda Nissley’s many years of service and were thankful to know that she will be orienting Stu to the usher coordinator job.  Carolyn further reported that Ann Martin will continue as host/hostess coordinator.

Jeremiah Coyne concert
Kelly Miller asked Randall about Landisville Mennonite hosting a Jeremiah Coyne concert.  Jeremiah is a family friend of the Miller family and has released a CD of worship songs.  Randall sought feedback from Team in regard to how we process such request.  Randall will stay in conversation with Kelly and with Team about this request.

Preaching series:  September 2010 – August 2011
Randall reported on the work being done to develop sermon series for the coming year.  Some of the topics being consider include:  finishing Above All, a year journey with Jesus by looking at specific questions related to the person of Jesus; working with Lynn Roth to develop a series on money, a post-Easter series on the Holy Spirit.

Vacation Bible School
Team affirmed the work Brenda Horst is doing to coordinate VBS.

5.         Agenda

Credentialing

Jonathan Bowman and Julia Fisher were credentialed in August 2008 with a 2 year license toward ordination.  In the last month, Bishop Sam Thomas and Randall met individually with Jonathan and Julia to discuss ordination.  Team affirmed Jonathan and Julia for ordination.  This summer they will both meet with the conference credentialing committee and we will plan for two ordination services this fall.

Sunday School Sabbatical in August

Team clarified the plans for the Sunday School Sabbatical which will take place August 1-22.  Rose will make an announcement on Sunday morning and Randall will prepare a flyer to go in mailboxes.

Associate Pastor of Worship

Randall updated team on the process of forming a search committee.

Prayer for our new facility

Team met in different locations of the new facility to pray for the ministry that will take place in the new rooms.

Next meeting

Randall will email team to schedule a July meeting since our regular 2nd Monday date conflicts with VBS.  There will not be an August Team meeting.

Ministry Leadership Team minutes

May 10, 2010, 7:00 PM

Present: Gerry & Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Christy Kauffman, recorder, Lynn Roth,

Carolyn Rudy, Randall Shull

Absent: Julia Fisher

1.          Dwelling in the Word: Ephesians 4.1-16

Randall led a time of dwelling in this passage and reflecting on what new things we noticed and were drawn towards.

2.         Prayer

Carolyn led in an opening prayer.

3.         big church, Small

Team continued their discussion of being a relevant, missional congregation in our cultural setting by responding to a video Randall shared.  The discussion touched on Randall’s May 9 sermon about casting nets on the other side and the concept of communities in mission together.

4.         Approving Minutes

Minutes from the April 12, 2010 meeting were approved as written.

5.         Agenda:

Associate Pastor of Worship

1. Team reflected on Thursday’s worship conversation. We felt good with the conversation as we named the tensions and challenges of worship.  Variety in singing was affirmed by many.  Team also appreciated the reminder by some that worship is more than singing.
2. Congregational Leadership Board is looking to Team to form a search committee from names Board suggested. Team will contact persons to form a search committee. Randall will be on the committee, but will not chair.

Sunday School in August

1. Superintendents, Assoc. Pastor of Christian Formation and Ministers of Christian Education recommend taking a sabbatical from Sunday School four Sundays in August. Rose will make an announcement on Sunday about the rationale and vision.  Team will plan to communicate further details after the June Team meeting.

Prayer together

Dan led in a closing prayer.

Next Meetings: June 14, July (?), no August meeting

Ministry Leadership Team minutes

April 12, 2010, 7:00 PM

Present: Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Julia Fisher, Christy Kauffman, recorder, Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy, Randall Shull

Absent: Gerry Baer

1.          Dwelling in the Word: 2 Corinthians 5.11-6.1

Randall led a time of dwelling in this passage and reflecting on what God was saying to us.

2.         Approving Minutes

Minutes from the March 8, 2010 meeting were approved as written.

3.         Reporting:

Lead Pastor—Randall Shull

a.   Julia Fisher’s hip replacement surgery is April 21, and she will have 4-6 weeks of recovery. Julia will have at least 3-weeks of leave following surgery, and Randall will pick up pastoral care during that time.

b.      Larry Newswanger, chair of PTCRC (Pastor Team Congregation Relations Committee), met with pastoral team. Larry is working with Randall, Bishop Sam Thomas, and LaVern Yutzy on changes in how PTCRC gathers feedback from the congregation.

c.       Randall invited reflection on what we are hearing and sensing within the congregation these days.

Christian Formation—Jonathan Bowman

A couple asked to get married here with one of our pastors officiating. Jonathan would be interested in doing the premarital counseling and wedding. Team members affirmed Jonathan and gave him their blessing.

Missional Life—Dan Burkhart

Dan’s coordinating an evening for Team to serve the community meal on April 22. Details for the meal were talked through.

4.         Agenda:

Sunday School recommendation

The SS superintendents, Gerry & Rose Baer, and Jonathan Bowman are recommending that we take a break from Sunday School in the month of August. This would provide a break for teachers, open up possibilities for extended times of fellowship, and provide space for community building and missional activities. Team affirmed the recommendation.  Those working in Christian Education will work on ways to recognize and affirm teachers, Dan and Carolyn will discuss suggestions for community building / missional activities, and Randall will discuss worship ideas for the month of August. SS would start up again on August 29.

Associate Pastor of Worship

Congregational Leadership Board met on Sunday to look at forming a search committee. Randall will look at how we can listen to the congregation in this process.

Addressing structure/role questions

1. Pastoral care—Team looked at how we may structure caring ministries in the absence of the Health and Wholeness team.

Prayer together

Next Meetings: May 10, June 14

Ministry Leadership Team minutes

December 14, 2009, 7:00 PM

Members Present: Gerry & Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Gina Burkhart, Julia Fisher,

Christy Kauffman, recorder, Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy, Randall Shull

1.          Opening

Randall reviewed a vision for growth which was developed in 2006. Ministry Leadership Team had articulated a common vision for our congregation’s life over the next 5-10 years. This included:

• Expand our facility to accommodate a 600 plus worshiping community and its supporting ministries.
• Maintain a single Sunday worship service.
• Increase staffing to meet immediate needs and move toward additional full-time staff.

Randall noted the importance of community in how we do church at Landisville and wonders how this vision fits with our emphasis of community and relationships.  In the coming months, Team will study and discuss together the importance of community in how we do church by looking at missional and postmodern themes, paying close attention to how a vision of growth can build on our strength of being in community together.

Lynn opened with prayer.

2.         Approving Minutes

Minutes from the November 16, 2009 meeting were approved as written.

3.         Reporting:

Community Life—Carolyn Rudy

1. Carolyn invites ideas for Wednesday Night Out.
2. Team discussed how we can cut costs for the WNO meal.

Christmas Sunday and Team refreshments

Team will serve sweet rolls and fruit on Dec. 27.

Ethiopian church conversation

1. On Dec. 5, some members of Leadership Team and Board met with the Ethiopian church’s leaders. Julia, Gerry, Carolyn, and Randall shared reflections on the meeting. Along with space being an issue for the Ethiopian congregation, another primary concern is Christian Education opportunities in English for their children, who range in age from preschool to thirteen. It was noted that the two congregations need to know each other more fully before any decisions are made. While it feels right to Team to be in conversation with the Ethiopian congregation, we don’t know where ongoing conversations will lead. There are many details and decisions that would need to be clarified. Please continue to hold this in prayer.

4.         Agenda:

Clarifying Structure Questions

1. Stewardship
   1. Budget and financial work has expanded the Minister of Stewardship role to become more of a Board presence. Team will make a recommendation that the Board reviews the financial management structure and the roles attached to it, in light of the formation of a Finance Committee and the transition to a unified budget. Later, Team will ask if the Minister of Stewardship role is significant to the overall Ministry Leadership Team function.
   2. Worship
      1. Team discussed a Minister of Worship job description to take to the Board in January.
         1. Team recommends that the job description include:

• ⅓-½ time
• have musical gifts and is able to lead a broad range of musical styles
• able to lead worship with a team approach

1. Team will review the job description at their January meeting, with plans to take a recommendation to the January Congregational Leadership Board meeting. Later in January, input from the congregation will be sought.

5.         Closing

This was Gina Burkhart’s last Team meeting as Assoc. Pastor of Worship. In closing, we gathered around Gina for a prayer of blessing.

Next Meetings: January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10

Ministry Leadership Team minutes

March 8, 2010, 7:00 PM

Members Present: Gerry & Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Julia Fisher, Christy Kauffman, recorder, Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy, Randall Shull

1.          Dwelling in the Word: Ephesians 4.1-16

Randall led a time of dwelling in this passage and reflecting on what God was saying to us.

Prayer—remembering the families of Cliff Breneman and Marian Lefever

2.         Reporting:

Lead Pastor—Randall Shull

1. Lancaster Mennonite Conference’s Celebration of Church Life is March 19-21. Delegates from our congregation are Pastor Julia Fisher, Miriam Flores, Natalie Miller, Clarence Rutt, and Julia Zehr.
2. The Ethiopian congregation in our district is looking at the purchase of our old church building on Church Street.
3. Congregational Leadership Board is meeting next week and will engage the Assoc. Pastor of Worship role.

Christian Education—Gerry Baer

1. There has been fluctuation in the amount of Sunday school time (50-75 minutes). We’re going to try starting with Sunday school 10 minutes after worship and keeping Sunday school to 50 minutes.

Christian Formation—Jonathan Bowman

1. Renee and Clayton Suydam are coming on board with the youth to be the social program coordinators. They will begin after tax season.

Missional Life—Dan Burkhart

1. The Forry’s are ending their term with Mennonite Central Committee and are coming back from Nicaragua around July.
2. At least two teachers are needed for the Good News Club. Dan will inform the congregation.
3. Dan’s coordinating an evening for Team to serve the community meal on April 22.

3.         Agenda:

Discussing “Post-Christendom” article

Team continued to discuss an article about what it means to be a relevant church in our culture, what            worship is, and why we come to worship at Landisville Mennonite.

Addressing structure/role questions

a.       Pastoral care

i.        Team looked at how we may structure caring ministries in the absence of the Health and Wholeness team.

4.         Community Meal

a.  Leadership Team will provide the Hempfield area community meal on April 22.

5.         Closing Prayer—Gerry Baer

Future agenda:

1. Pastoral care and structure of caring ministries

Next Meetings: April 12, May 10, June 14

Ministry Leadership Team minutes

February 8, 2010, 7:00 PM

Members Present: Gerry Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Julia Fisher, Christy Kauffman, recorder,

Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy, Randall Shull

Members Absent: Rose Baer, Julia Fisher

1.          Dwelling in the Word: 2 Corinthians 5.11-6.1

Jonathan led a time of dwelling in this passage and reflecting on what God was saying to us through it.

2.         Approving Minutes

Minutes from the January 11, 2010 meeting were approved as written.

3.         Reporting:

Lead Pastor—Randall Shull

1. Randall has a meeting with Demeke, pastor of the Ethiopian congregation, this week.
2. Reporting from Congregational Leadership Board meeting
   1. Randall shared the Missionary Support Team task force proposal and guidelines with Team.
   2. Randall updated Team on the Associate Pastor of Worship process.  The position will be reviewed at or by the next Board meeting.
3. Randall handed out a letter from the Bishop Board to credentialed leaders

Missional Life—Dan Burkhart

1. A Mission Spot was planned for the Good News Club on Sunday but church was cancelled. At least two teachers are still needed.
2. Dan’s coordinating an evening for Team to serve the community meal on April 22.

Christian Education—Gerry Baer

1. Vacation Bible School is planned for July 11-15. Coordinators are Brenda Horst, Jonathan Bowman, Nance Fertich, and Maura Fertich

Community Life—Carolyn Rudy

1. Carolyn is working on the program for May’s Wednesday Night Out.
2. Carolyn has received some affirmation for cutting costs at Winterfest, but others would like Winterfest to stay the same as previous years. A lower cost catered meal sit-down meal is being planned. The congregation will be asked for feedback through a questionnaire following Winterfest.

4.         Agenda:

Discussing “Post-Christendom” article

Team discussed an article about what it means to be a relevant church in our culture.

Addressing structure/role questions

a.       Christian Education

i.        Gerry reported on the Mennonite High School education fund and college education

ii.      The Sunday School Superintendent role is being discussed, possibly transitioning to 4 superintendents – 2 focusing up through youth and 2 focusing on adult Christian Education.

b.      Christian Formation

i.        The role is theological oversight and nurture from nursery to young adult.  To free Jonanthan for the oversight aspects of his role, the role of “program coordinator” is being looked at for the different age levels of ministry.

iii.    Jonathan has also given leadership to the website and computer tech support.

c.  The need for a uniform gift discernment and recruiting process was noted and will be discussed at future team meetings.

5.         Prayer together

Future agenda:

1. Pastoral care and structure of caring ministries

Next Meetings: March 8, April 12, May 10

Ministry Leadership Team minutes

January 11, 2010, 7:00 PM

Members Present: Gerry Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Gina Burkhart, Julia Fisher,

Christy Kauffman, recorder, Lynn Roth, Randall Shull

Members Absent: Rose Baer, Carolyn Rudy

1.          Dwelling in the Word, Ephesians 4.1-16, 2 Corinthians 5.11-6.1

Team has selected these scriptures for our leadership committees and congregation to spend time with.

2.         Approving Minutes

Minutes from the December 14, 2009 meeting were approved as written.

3.         Reporting:

Missional Life—Dan Burkhart

1. Dan read a thank you note from a family who heard our Christmas caroling.
2. The Good News Club will hold another 7-week session this spring. Staff from Landisville are needed. A Mission Spot is planned for worship.

Christian Education—Gerry Baer

1. Gerry & Rose met Tuesday evening with the finance committee to discuss the Mennonite high school education fund. A letter will be distributed to church mailboxes.

Stewardship—Lynn Roth

1. A sub-committee of the finance committee is recommending setting forth procedures for calibrating how financial support would be given to missionaries.

4.         Agenda:

Discussing “Post-Christendom” article

Team discussed an article about what it means to be a relevant church in our culture.

Addressing structure/role questions

1. Worship
   1. Team suggested several changes for the job description
   2. Randall will take the edited job description to the Church Board as a recommendation
   3. The congregation will be given an opportunity for feedback

Prayer together

Next Meetings: February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10

November 9, 2009, 7:00 PM

Members Present: Gerry & Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Gina Burkhart, Julia Fisher,

Christy Kauffman, recorder, Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy, Randall Shull

1.          Opening

Randall read our mission statement, guiding principles and priorities. Then he asked how we will know when our mission is being advanced. Team dwelled in the mission statement and discussion followed. There have been new initiatives and some new changes. There are stories among us, and we’d like to find more ways of telling these stories. Individuals gave scriptures that we might dwell in to be formed in our mission.

2.         Approving Minutes

Minutes from the October 12, 2009 meeting were approved with an addition: The Wednesday Night Out  schedules are tentative.

3.         Reporting:

Lead Pastor—Randall Shull

1. Randall talked further with pastor Demeke from the Ethiopian congregation within our district about possibly sharing a building. They’re interested in continuing conversation with our leadership team. Randall will coordinate with Demeke a time for both leadership teams to talk and pray together. Some members of Congregational Leadership Board will also be involved with these conversations.
2. Team members will provide snacks on Christmas Sunday, Dec. 27. More details will be discussed at next month’s meeting. Food and fellowship will be at 8:45 am, followed by worship at 9:30 am.

Christian Education—Gerry & Rose Baer

1. Electives are being planned for March.
2. There won’t be Sunday school on Dec. 27. Oranges will be given from the superintendents.

Community Life—Carolyn Rudy

1. Carolyn is working on finding a replacement for Rhonda Nissley, coordinator of ushers, to begin Sept. ’10.
2. More ushers are needed for February and June.

Stewardship—Lynn Roth

1. Thursday night is a congregational meeting.

Pastoral Care—Julia Fisher

1. Is discussing the formation of depression support group.

4.         Agenda:

Structure Process

Randall met with Congregational Leadership Board and Lavern Yutzy to strategize the structure process. A task force from Board will act as a sounding board for questions and feedback. Team members reviewed their job descriptions, noting the questions related to areas of ministry, and clarified the structural questions needing to be addressed.

6.         Closing

Gina closed the meeting with prayer.

Next Meetings: December 14, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10

Ministry Leadership Team minutes

October 12, 2009, 7:00 PM

Members Present: Gerry & Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Gina Burkhart, Julia Fisher,

Christy Kauffman, recorder, Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy, Randall Shull

1.          Opening

Randall began the meeting with a prayer.

2.         Approving Minutes

Minutes from the September 14, 2009 meeting were approved as written.

3.         Reporting:

Community Life—Carolyn Rudy

Wednesday Night Out schedule:

1. November—Pastor appreciation
2. December—Hymn sing
3. January—Nils Martin & Briana Eshleman sharing of their semester in South Africa
4. February—Game night
5. March 6—Winterfest
6. April—not scheduled, due to Easter

Pastoral Care—Julia Fisher

Working on small group formation

1. Has idea of the current small groups in place.
2. Received no response from recent announcement asking for persons to consider being a part of the

planning process for small groups

1. Will ask the congregation who is interested in being a part of a small group

Missional Life—Dan Burkhart

We have three participants who will form a team with Landisville Church of God to teach Bible classes in a Hempfield School District school and for two 7-week sessions. They will begin the end of October. This team will be recognized in a worship service.

Christian Formation—Jonathan Bowman

The Sr. Youth retreat went really well. The kids seemed to have fun, and they focused on John 15.

Sexuality sermon series

Team reflected hopes and concerns on the current sexuality sermon series—Male and Female God created them.

Gina Burkhart’s transition as Assoc. Pastor of Worship

Pastor Randall and Board chair Nelson Kling are working on transition details. The current worship planning model will be maintained. They’re still talking about an interim or other ways of coverage, and we will be kept updated. Randall asked for questions.

Lancaster Mennonite Conference structure conversation

Lancaster Conference is looking at their structure and has invited leaders to give feedback after congregational feedback. Information may be distributed in church mailboxes, with interested persons meeting together for discussion.

Ethiopian Evangelical facility needs

Pastor Demeke shared in the district meeting that the congregation owns the Main St., Landisville building but is being pushed to the max, and wants to move to a new facility. Team discussed what it would look like to share facility space with this congregation. The leadership groups from Landisville and Ethiopian Evangelical will plan to get together to talk.

Columbia church

Within the last year, Columbia Mennonite Church closed, and there is a vision for something new to be birthed. For the past months, a team has been praying for Columbia, and is committed to church planting. Landisville has been asked to consider ways to support the project called “Vision Columbia.”

4.         Agenda:

Ministry Leadership Team Structure

Randall met with Nelson Kling and Lavern Yutzy for council on next steps for restructuring. Pastoral team will work on addressing questions related to the structure, drawing on additional resources and a taskforce from Church Board for feedback. A final recommendation will go to Church Board.

Budget conversation

Lynn Roth updated Team on current budget conversations with the Congregational Leadership Board and the finance committee. Giving has not been down but has stabilized as priorities have shifted. At this point we have overextended ourselves with missionary support. The finance committee recommended to Board that we go to a unified budget January 1, which Board approved. A congregational meeting is scheduled for November 12 to discuss with the congregation the transition to a unified budget. The finance committee met with Gerry & Rose Baer, Ministers of Education, to discuss the Lancaster Mennonite School education fund, and how to work at education support in the future.

5.         Future agenda

a.         Mission and priorities

i.    How do/will we know when our mission is being advanced?

ii.   Which scripture passages might we dwell in to be formed in our mission?

Next Meetings: November 9, December 14

Ministry Leadership Team Minutes

September 14, 2009, 7:00 PM

Members Present: Gerry & Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Gina Burkhart, Julia Fisher, Christy Kauffman, recorder, Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy, Randall Shull

1.          Dwelling in the Word

Randall read Colossians 2 and led us in reflecting on the passage by asking, “What are you hearing or drawn to, and what is God saying to you?” Following the conversation, Randall led in prayer.

2.         Approving Minutes

            Minutes from the August 10, 2009 meeting were approved as written.

3.         Reporting:

Christian Formation—Jonathan Bowman

1. Recently, the Child Protection Committee has discussed whether it would be advisable to request background checks for any or all persons filling out a Service Application form. Team affirms the current Service Application form and checking references listed on the form also affirms that the current Service Application form authorizes a background check if deemed necessary. The committee will post the guidelines throughout the church.

Community Life—Carolyn Rudy

1. The October Wednesday Night Out will be reporting from those who attended Mennonite World Conference. She’s working on finding childcare.

Lead Pastor—Randall Shull

1. Randall distributed a sermon schedule for 2009-2010.
2. A groundbreaking service and fellowship meal will be September 27.
3. The Men’s/Women’s Bible studies have begun, and there are close to 60 participating.
4. A new website, designed by Matt Yoder, will be up and running soon. This is an opportunity for us connect even further as a community.
5. A Sunday school café will be used occasionally to reflect on the sermon series topics.

Missional Life—Dan Burkhart

1. The new LOVE INC contact persons are Richard & Ann Martin.
2. Landisville Church of God has invited our congregation to adopt a Good News Club in a Hempfield School District school and host two 7-week sessions. Dan has received lots of affirmation from the congregation, and Dan is assembling a team.  

Stewardship—Lynn Roth

1. Financial concerns continue to be monitored closely. Lynn is taking this to Congregational Leadership Board on Monday.

4.         Agenda

a.         Ministry Leadership Team Structure

1. Team affirms looking at how we structure ourselves for ministry. Given new leadership positions beginning in the last years and committees such as Health and wholeness coming to an end, it is an opportune time to look at how we structure ourselves for ministry. Randall will communicate with the Congregational Leadership Board and see counsel in outlining next steps.

5.         Future agenda

            a.         Mission and priorities

                        i.    How do/will we know when our mission is being advanced?

                        ii.   Which scripture passages might we dwell in to be formed in our mission?

Next Meetings:  October 12, November 9, December 14