Church Council Agenda

May 18, 2015 "May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you to live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.” — Romans 15:5;

1. Time in Prayer and Attentiveness to God

2. Meeting Minutes – April 20, 2015

3. Financial Report and Ministry Reports

a. Comments/questions as we look forward

4. Old Business a. Youth Pastor Search Committee update b. Verizon Cell Tower update after May 7 mtg. c. Youth Mission Trip/VBS update – Nebraska HS youth d. Youth Camp – understanding support e. Nursery guidelines – Pat Parks - any suggestions received? f. Locked doors feedback

5. New Business

a. Absentee ballots b. Pastor webinars – should we be discussing these items? c. Constitution update

6. May Calendar Events

a. Last WOW - BBQ w/Christian Illusionist – May 20 @ 6:30pm b. RC Public School Graduations – May 24 @ Civic Center c. Memorial Day – May 25 d. First Sunday Summer Class (Veggie Tales) – May 31 e. 5th Sunday Brunch after worship – May 31

7. June Calendar Events

a. Child Dedication service – Kristen and Clark Nelson’s baby (Livi) – June 7 b. Youth Mission Trip – June 14 – 22 c. Camp Judson SDABW Conference – June 12 – 15 (FBC women retreat planners) d. ABC USA Mission Summit, Overland Park, KS – June 26 - 28 e. Kathy Sosa gone – June 30 – July 14

8. Other (Announcements?)

a. Please check your Ministry folders for vouchers to be signed b. Wasta – July 30 – August 9

9. Adjournment

Ministry Reports due – June 10, 2015 (the 10th of each month) Next meeting – Monday, June 15, 2015

First Baptist Church Council Meeting, April 20, 2015

In Attendance: Connie Fallat, Mike Woods, Dennis Johnson, Pat Parks, Karen Stordahl, Erik & Lynne Olness, Moderator Kathryn Sosa, Jerry Fallat, Blake Wilkes, Pastor Gregg Hemmen, Vonnie Houchin, Pat Barber

Moderator Sosa called our meeting to order and opened with prayer.

OLD BUSINESS:

The minutes from the February and March meetings were read and approved - MSP Pat Parks and Jerry Fallat. The Financial Report and the Ministry Report were read and discussed. With regard to the upcoming Camp Judson season, Vonnie brought our attention to the question regarding financial support for campers attending this summer. In previous years, there have been various programs to help with the camping costs; i.e. Memory Verse program, Cookie Sales; Ken Wrede prior Camp Coordinator, etc. After considerable discussion, it was decided that for future years, there needs to be come collaboration between the Youth Leader and the CE ministry in setting up some structure regarding support for attendees to Camp Judson. For this year, Jerry Fallat requested some guidelines to work within. It was suggested by Pastor Gregg and agreed upon by the Council that the church should provide 50% of the camp costs for returning campers who are church members and 100% for any church member interested in going yet unable to afford the registration fees. The financial report and ministry reports were read and approved - MSP Dennis Johnson and Lynn Olness.

The Youth Pastoral Search Committee have been doing interviews and they will be having a meeting Wednesday evening at 4:30 p.m.

Concerns regarding the Parking Lot Payments and invoices generated will be handled by Moderator Sosa when she visits with Troy Oldert of the Physical Maintenance Ministry. Pastor Gregg also offered that the office would be happy to generate these invoices with the necessary information.

Stewardship Committee met just prior to the Council meeting. The focus of the work with the Memorial Committee right now is "getting our ducks in a row!" according to Chairman, Dennis Johnson.

NEW BUSINESS:

Discussion has restarted regarding the possibility of installing a Verizon Cell Tower in the parking lot and a meeting with the representative and the Physical Maintenance Ministry is scheduled for May 7.

VBS ALIVE is on hold temporarily for this year due to several changes in the School Board's policies of school usage. Because of this, 2015 VBS will work along with the In-town mission trip planned for our youth, June 14-22. We will be having High School students coming up from Lincoln, Nebraska, to work with our youth - and Blake will be informing us of the progress along

these lines as the plans develop. Mention was also made of the offer from Camp Judson via Tracy Koskan to possibly hold a Day Camp at Camp Judson the week prior to Project Camp. Inasmuch as this news came to Blake just within the day, he is still making an effort to work through all possibilities.

There were no further reports from the ministries.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Pastor Gregg will be attending the Regional Policy Board Meeting, April 21-24 Women of Faith, April 24-25 Blake Wilkes will be preaching April 25 Child Dedication Service - May 3 Last WOW - May 13 WOW BBQ - May 20 Graduation Sunday - May 17 5th. Sunday Brunch after worship - May 31 First Sunday Summer Class - June 7 - Summer Topic - Veggie Tales Child Dedication Service - June 7 Youth Mission Trip - June 14-22 (and possibly VBS)

Other important concerns to consider:

**Fellowship Ministry - there will be a pool party this summer

**CE Ministry will be working on guidelines for the Nursery - Pat Parks requested suggestions and contributions from any and all members of the council.

**Questions regarding security camera at the back (now front) entrance by the office - another topic to be addressed to Troy Oldert by Moderator Sosa.

**It was felt that the back doors by the nursery should be locked at all times on Sunday, the one by the office open only during the week when the secretary is able to monitor those coming in and out. This was a motion made by Pat Parks and seconded by Mike Woods, passed unanimously. Pastor Gregg will visit with those Sunday School classes affected by this arrangement.

There being no further business, MSP Dennis Johnson & Lynn Olness.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Barber, Church Clerk

Pastor’s Report Prepared for Church Council

May 2015

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you to live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:15; New Living

Translation)

On April 15th, I participated in a continuing education seminar entitled, “Sociologists Reveal Why People Are Done With Church But Not Their Faith: The Rise of the Dones.” This was a group conversation about some sociological studies done on the exodus from the American Church. Specifically, this webinar focused on those who have chosen to leave the Church not because they’ve been upset about something, but because they have tried to find their place in the Church and just haven’t been able to. Here are some findings from this sociological study about this group called the “Dones”:

1. They have sought community in the Church but have experienced more judgment. 2. They ran into all kinds of bureaucracy in the Church. 3. They wanted to have open and honest conversation but felt that they only received

doctrine. 4. They yearned to engage the Church in meaningful ways but were given moral

prescriptions.

This group is not new to the Church. In many ways, they grew up in the Church and were part of the leadership structure. They were faithful and active but got to a point where they didn’t feel they could stay.

As you can imagine, this was a lively discussion with many comments and perspectives. Some reacted to the findings defensively. Some came to the conversation with open questions about what the Church’s response should be. Most felt this was an important issue for consideration and we should not ignore what’s happening. There is a more detailed conversation about this topic coming out in a book by Josh Packard entitled, “Church Refugees,” that I plan on reading once the book comes out in May 2015.

April 21-23 I took part in the ABC Dakotas Pastor's Retreat at Camp Judson. Then, April 23rd and 24th I was at Region Policy Board Executive Committee meetings. I've served on this leadership group for the past few years. The retreat portion focused on Isaiah 30 and making sure that we are not focused on our own plans, but are seeking the heart of God in everything that we do.

On April 29th, I took part in another continuing education webinar and the title of this webinar was, “Is there a formula for success?” This webinar was focused on characteristics of churches that are both declining and moving toward health. This webinar focused on some interesting things that have helped me maintain a healthy perspective as we move forward into the future. Here are five characteristics of churches they found that were in decline:

1. Unhealthy churches are reactionary rather than strategic – We can react internally and culturally. In either case, we end up chasing health.

2. Unhealthy churches tend to be known what they are against rather than what they’re for.

3. Unhealthy churches have little understanding of the global church.

4. Unhealthy churches tend to be overly competitive and not collaborative. Do we bad-mouth other churches and what they are doing to build ourselves up?

5. Unhealthy churches use tradition rather than the Holy Spirit as their guide.

Thank you for the privilege of serving among you.

Blake Wilkes

Interim Youth Pastor May Report

There has been a lot happening in May. It is a busy month as the school year comes to a

close and summer starts. Flocking has gone very well and steady since April and the weekend of

the 16th and 17th of May will be our last flocking. We have raised $247 during this flocking

event. Now that Flocking is winding down we now look towards the actual mission trip itself. It

is coming together and it will be an adventure in God and in this community. I have been in

conversation with the Mayor’s office as well as the Police department, Love Inc, Cornerstone

Mission as well as various others and they are all excited and open to where ever God is leading

us. We also have received our books that the students will be going through before during and

after the trip. The book titled “Flipping Missions” by Tony Myles & Rob Murphy will help each

student go deeper into this, so that this trip would not only be a blessing on others but on

themselves as well. Also it will help them go deeper into their faith where roots can grow deep

and strong into Christ. Also we will have senior recognition on Sunday May 17th and we will be

recognizing Colby Houchin, Larry Riner, Calry Mazzone and Eric Brewer and a open house time

will follow after the service. Also on May 20th we will be having a BBQ for our last WOW and

following the BBQ a Christian Illusionist will be putting on a show for the Church as well as

those who join us from the community around us. Yes May has a lot going on and has always

been a month of change flowers bloom, Seniors graduate, Summer activities start. It will be

exciting to see what God has planned for us all in this month of change!

Music Notes May 2015 Council Meeting

Music work and plans for the coming month:

1. Thanks to Blake and the youth who planned, rehearsed, and presented a great

Arise service on Easter morning.

2. Choir

Folders have been cleaned out—boy, we accumulated a lot of music since

January!

Rehearsing in order to sing almost every Sunday in May

Rest for the summer!

3. Praise Team

We appreciated our guest guitarist, Lon Schnittgrund, who played for Camp

Sunday.

Time to decide when we rehearse for summer. No rest for this group!

4. Bells

This fun group will play during May as a finale to our year.

Looking forward to the fall with a full 2-3 octaves of players!

5. Kid’s Music

Wednesdays Jim Collins & Lucas Michelson provide music time

Kids will have sung in service by the time we meet for Council

Katie’s younger bell group will be blessing us as well!

6. We will be wrapping up this “season” of music at the end of May.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gifts! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Vonnie Houchin

Diaconate Minutes—April 27, 2015

Present: Mary Hull, Mike Brewer, Mike & Jeannene Woods, Pastor Gregg, Gary & Judy Oldert. Absent: Jerry & Linda Ross, Roger & Annette Pryor. Mike Woods opened the meeting with prayer.

Prayer & praise requests: Denise Ross (cancer), Heidi (Nicaragua trip), Marella (surgery), Persons family (car accident)

Minutes: Approved, MSP by Mary & Gary

Benevolence Report: Probably about the same as April.

Communion: Pryors will prepare—will be served at the front of the church

Attendees added to deacon family list: Fred & Denise Nystrom, Laura Mounce, Heather Martinez

Upcoming Events:

May 2- ABW luncheon

May 17- Graduation recognition

May 24- Memorial Day

May 31- 5th Sunday brunch

Old Business: None

New Business: None

Adjourn

Next meeting: due to Memorial Day will be held June 1 at 5:30

Judy Oldert

Stewardship Ministry

No Report

Mission Ministry - 5/5/15

In Attendance: Pat Parks, Delores Millar, Gregg Hemmen and Kristin Murrie

New Items

1. Scholarships

a. Heidi will receive $500 from the Wasta fund to assist with the mission trip she took to

Nicaragua

b. Heather Fannin will receive $50 for a conference for ISI

2. One Great Hour of Sharing

a. CD provided – we will show a video every Sun starting 5/31 and redo #1 on 6/28

b. Bulletin inserts with mission stories will be in the bulletin every Sunday

c. Will you give to One Great Hour of Sharing? Pamphlet will be in every Sunday with

the giving envelope.

3. ABC emergency during the rally

a. We will try to publicize this more this year

b. Ask Diane Hemmen to share at the Hospital Coordinators meeting

4. Additions to the mission meal

a. Nystroms

5. Wasta

b. Dates this year will be July 30-Aug9.

c. The application has been sent by Heidi

Next meeting is planned for 6/2 at 4pm

Christian Education Report: May 2015

The Ministry of Christian Education (CE) met, as rescheduled, on May, 11, 2015. CE Board

Members also discuss business via email, phone, text, and informal meetings as needed

between the established first Mondays of the Month Meetings held at church. Current

members are Jerry Fallat, Juanita Rowe, Pat Parks, Danni Koskan, Carol Misterek & Katrina

Petry. Blake Wilkes is Staff FBC Staff Representative to CE. Present were Jerry, Juanita, Carol,

Blake, and also Pastor Gregg. It is a pleasure to serve on this committee together. Opening

prayer was offered.

Item of discussion: Wednesday Night Program

Pottery to Paint night went well with children and youth participating, as well as teachers and

volunteers. The plates made were fired and the children and youth have all received their

finished pottery! May 13th was the final WOW with activities and curriculum.

May 20th is our final Wed. Night meal, beginning at 5:30 PM, followed by a great presentation

by a well-known illusionist; this begins at 6:30 PM. Flyers will be distributed to 3-block radius

around FBC and sent home with children and youth, as well. It may be that some children will

be brought from Cornerstone Mission for this special night.

Item of discussion: Library

Carol has been given some very old boxes of books that were stored at FBC; she will go through

these will help from others, to determine which can be kept in our library; which can be

donated to another church or facility, and those that must be discarded. There are some old

books that may be retained for a historical section in the library that can be seen and read.

These will not be for check-out, however. For example, there is a very old Bible given to Dr.

Palmerton by his parents, as well as one of Truman Sproles’ Bibles.

Item of discussion: Sunday School

The last day of Sunday School is May 17th, with three to five awards given to children who win

the contest. Criteria for points are these: reading a book from our church library & writing a

summary of the book; completing any homework assigned in Sunday School; attendance; and

positive behavior in Sunday School. There will be class parties & gifts for graduates.

Kids Offering money was not used for Easter Baskets as originally planned; CE continues to

support use of SS Kids Offerings for items to create Christmas Boxes for Operation Christmas

Child (Franklin Graham’s project).

Teacher recognition will continue with new presentations beginning as early as next Sunday, or,

if schedules do not permit, in summer.

Children’s Sunday School begins on June 7, 2015. Teachers will alternate as needed, with Blake

beginning. Material is from the Veggie Tales DVD. Sunday School, Con’t:

Teacher Expectation Form that will be signed all FBC teachers, is pending final development

until the Constitution Committee has completed work and Constitution changes are approved.

CE will review the draft of this form when it is time to do so.

There is no Sunday School on May 24th.

Item of Discussion: Other

Bible Battle is still planned for end of summer, based on all the children learned from Sunday

School Veggie Tales Curriculum and Bible Stories. This may be in the form of a “game show” and

should be a good culmination of summer learning.

Summer Camp is still open and financial assistance is still available. It is all coordinated but

funding comes from several sources. Discernment is needed so that the funds are used wisely,

but CE encourages contact with a CE Member if there is a child or young person who needs the

assistance in order to attend.

Summer Meeting for planning fall programs will be held at Juanita’s home if all goes as planned.

The exact date and time will be announced in late May or in June. The projected week is the

week after Sturgis Rally. This will give CE time to plan and for others to contribute ideas for

teachers and programs. There will most likely be a redesign of WOW to better meet the

children’s needs and teachers available. List of possible attendees is being prepared.

No new CE budget update as of yet. There will be a $60.00 cost approximately, to pay for

updates to the sound system in the youth room.

Item of discussion: Blake Notes

Vacation Bible School will be at FBC; there will not be several churches combining to meet at

another location. Money FBC had already paid toward this is being returned to FBC.

It is possible that Cornerstone Mission Kids will also be involved in FBC VBS. Dates are June 15,

16, 17, 18, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:30 each evening. There is a chosen curriculum and participants

will be preschool children who are potty-trained through fifth grade. Adult volunteers are

always needed.

“Flocking” has been a successful and fun fundraiser; Blake indicated that thus far, youth have

raised $247.00 in this way. The Glow Run may still take place in August, though this is not firmly

in place.

Item of discussion: Next Meetings

Jerry represents CE for the May FBC Council Meeting.

Next CE Meeting: June date will be announced as soon as possible.

Meeting was concluded with prayer.

Fellowship Ministry Report - April 26th

Beth and DeeDee were on their way home from Women of Faith...we have only heard good

things from their trip:)

Thoughts are being tossed around about hosting a Movie Night in the sanctuary. We have had a

few people mention the movie God's Not Dead and think this may be a great film to show. We

would pick a Sunday late afternoon/evening in June. We also discussed having a separate

option for the little ones as sometimes finding a movie that interests both adults and children

can be tricky. Treats would be served...popcorn, soda, some candy and *hopefully* some real

Twizzlers:) If there are any evenings of conflict in June please let us know!

Our FBC Pool Night is right around the corner! Yay! Sunday, August 9th is our 'go-to' date this

year. I will be contacting the swim center soon to see what is available and lock down an

evening. What a great event this has proven to be after the last couple of years...and why

change something that people enjoy so much!

Labor Day Retreat is also coming up sooner than later! We are in the early process of theme

and speaker. We need to speak with Gregg to see if he has any ideas in the hopper or if we are

starting from scratch. We generally try and tie our theme verse for the year into our weekend

theme (how clever we are!). We have had interest from a couple individuals in leading

worship...which is great because I have a hunch I'll be spending my Labor Day weekend in

'labor':)) Please be thinking of things you love about our retreat and also things that you would

like to see/change. We really value our church family’s opinions!

As always, it is a joy to serve on the Fellowship Committee. We have a great group of dedicated

members and we truly have the 'fun' job:))

Crista Boerman -Chair

Physical Maintenance Report - May 2015

Members present: Joe Hoover, Troy Oldert, Brett Johnson

Guests: Alan Johannesen

Old Business

Foyer

- Wiring is being led by Lee. We are working on some help for his custodial duties to create more time for this project.

Landscaping & Downspout timeline

- spray,

- concrete gutter out, drain pipe in - May 16th

- till, landscape, seed - May 23rd

Door seals on glass entry doors need to be replaced - Waiting on estimate from Lee @ Century glass

Scanning of blueprints - complete @ copy country - have Lee pick up?

Lee contract - tabled, Lee was absent from meeting

New Business

parking lot contract - change amount per space - tabled

office computer - ordered 5-1, $755 +tax?

Heather Henderson working with Lee - yes

may wedding - custodial - Troy will cover

Move to Office 365 - declined - current MS office license is good for another three years

Custodial vacuum - need a new one

Intercom for NW door - tabled

doors locked on west end of building while nursery is in use for safety reasons

Troy Oldert

Chairman