December 2003 Voters Meeting Minutes

The following are the minutes from the Holy Word Evangelical Lutheran Church Voter's Meeting held on December 7, 2003. The minutes were prepared by Eric Hehman, Church Council Secretary.

Call to Order

Church Council President Robert Timmerman called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm.

Bible Study

Pastor Patterson led a short study of 1 Timothy 3:8 — The description of a leader. Recognition that this is not about us but that Thy kingdom come.

Member Actions

Received into membership:

  • Steven and Jill Prahl
  • Tiffany Nerem
  • Frank and Laura Prior with son Ian)
  • Katie Hughes
  • Leigh Quick
  • Jeff Wiesback
  • Kenneth and Joyce Robinson

Released from membership:

  • Margaret Boris to Beautiful Savior in Beaverton, Oregon

The member actions were approved.

Treasurer's Report

Income to the Operating fund in October 2003 totaled $38,663, which was $1,742 greater than expenditures from the Operating Fund ($36,921). The deficit in the Operating Fund decreased in magnitude to a negative $25,429. The deficit in the Operating Fund was reduced in magnitude by a small amount in the month of October. This is slightly misleading because the Operating Fund will eventually have to make up the difference in the Seek and Keep Fund when Synod makes their last reimbursement. Even so, the Operating Fund is in an improved position as we look ahead to a month of five Sundays in November, followed by December. Let's pray that the Lord provides the resources we need to accomplish His work in the coming months.

Pastor's Report

  • We have finished the statistics for 2003. They are as follows:
    • Adult confirmations: 15
    • Transferred in: 18
    • Received by Profession of Faith: 6
    • Transferred out: 3
    • Released: 1
  • We are starting two new Bible Studies in the immediate future: a home Bible study at the home of Gary and Mavi Maxwell and a second Men's Bible Breakfast in Round Rock beginning on January 15th.
  • We have plans to start a singles group.
  • Our preaching schedule is set through Easter.
  • Our vicar will preach in San Antonio in January and San Angelo in February.
  • We have a Christian singing group from Wisconsin Lutheran College coming January 11. They will do outreach on January 10.
  • We have a choir from Martin Luther College coming January 29.
  • We will have a group of college students coming to do outreach in March.
  • Thanks to all the leaders who spent a lot of extra time in meetings to plan for the coming year.
  • We will have a men's retreat in May and a women's retreat in April.
  • Our vicar request needs to be in a little earlier this year — January 10.
  • Please keep struggling to get to know new people as we grow.
  • Our staff minister recently got special compliments from his professor on his ability to understand God's work and communicate it in writing.
  • It remains a pleasure to be your pastor and I thank all of you that took time to encourage me in regard to my mother's illness recently.

Vicar Report

No report.

Staff Minister Report

  • Marble Falls: We have a bi-weekly bible study at an area assisted living community and also a monthly fellowship luncheon with hopes that both of these would open new doors for evangelism.
  • Every Member Visits Status: Approximately one-third of member families have been visited. Visits are continuing but at a slower rate due to recent strategic planning meetings and work among the elders. The elders have committed to getting back on a more regular schedule with these in the New Year.
  • Youth Group: We held a lock-in on October 24 at the Austin Rock Gym. We had a scavenger hunt in November in which we collected various items for the Austin Food Bank. We will be doing some canvass work in early January.
  • We have another TCW team coming in the spring to help promote our church and Easter Sunrise Service (both here and in Marble Falls).
  • Coursework Update: I just completed a correspondence course entitled The Life of Christ. I now have four courses (of about 15) complete towards my synod certification. I plan to start another correspondence course after the New Year. My thanks to the members of Holy Word for their support in my coursework.
  • Nathan Steinke and I attended an Evangelism Seminar yesterday and Friday entitled Assimilation: Attention to Retention. We hope to discuss this material in the future with the elders and develop an assimilation program for Holy Word.
  • Cindy and I plan to hold a Love & Logic parenting class here at Holy Word sometime in the spring of 2004.

Principal and Board of Education Report

  • The Board of Education holds regularly schedule meeting on the second Tuesday of the month starting at 6:30 pm.
  • We have set our first tuition meeting. The date will be December 9. We will outline our objectives and begin to tease out what or philosophy will be on the issue. Our plan is to have regular reports of these meetings.
  • We had a Parent Organization meeting Tuesday November 18. The agenda included a devotion, a presentation on standardized testing and assessment in the lower grades, and a presentation on how parents can get involved with third source funding for the school through various local and national organizations.
  • We have two new promotional ideas that we are aggressively discussing in the Board of Education. One is a school video and the other is a high-quality, promotional booklet for the school.
  • The Sunday School continues its faithful operation for the benefit of children in our congregation. A big thank you to Elmer Faske for his service in that area.
  • Our children's Christmas program will be December 21 at 7:00pm.
  • Ryan attached a chart for Mission, Vision and Strategic Emphases that the Board of Education has adopted as a five-year plan. The document is a guidepost and not a stone tablet. If you would like a copy, please see the Principal or Secretary.

Financial Secretary

No Report

President's Report

  • Currently working with Lew and Thrivent on the papers for the purchase of the Stelljes home for the Pattersons. The transaction should be completed by the end of the year.
  • Working on a committee on Prep Schools for the WELS.

Board of Elders Report

The every member visits were put on hold during Strategic Planning. Some Elders are done and others aren't as far along. Our goal is to create better communication between members and Elders.

Board of Evangelism Report

The Board continues to make regular calls to visitors. Don Hahn and Marvin Hoepken are looking at two possibilities for Easter Sunrise service in the event we are unable to use Pioneer Farm in 2004.

Property and Maintenance Committee Report

The following items were completed since the last quarterly meeting:

  • Lifted house and replaced broken septic pipes under teacherage.
  • Renovated teacherage and moved Witt family.
  • Poisoned weeds and poison ivy along creek from road to property line behind teacherage.
  • Completed a new patio at the teacherage.
  • Removed large tree damaged by storm behind teacherage.
  • Renovated kitchen and storeroom in fellowship hall.
  • Tim Moll rewired and installed a new electric switch box in the fellowship hall and replaced many burned out lights in the buildings sanctuary.
  • Cleaned the rafters and air conditioning ducts in the sanctuary.
  • Had school heaters and air conditioners serviced for the new school year.
  • Repaired and painted inside of Vicar and Jill Prahl's house.
  • Added a new return air duct to administrative offices.
  • Cut up, cleaned and hauled all trees destroyed by the storm on August 11, 2003.
  • Performed weekly general maintenance on grounds, heaters, air conditioners, and lights.
  • Continue to clean and clear creek area of old trees and brush.
  • Pumped all septic tanks at church and one house.
  • Contract pending on resurfacing of road and parking lot.
  • Installed French drain, soil stabilizer, and gutter along the front of the teacherage.

Future Projects for 2003-2004 are:

  • Build new maintenance/storage building for all church equipment and property.
  • Repair or replace metal roof on fellowship hall.
  • Replace old shingles destroyed by the storm on August 11, 2003, on three houses.
  • Repair and caulk air holes in ceiling, around walls, and school building.
  • Paint outside doors on school building.
  • Repair metal roof on school building damaged by storm.
  • Remove old and new stumps on church property.
  • Continue to clean and clear creek area of old trees and brush.

New Business

  • Bill Eslinger presented 4 major items that will come before us during new business: property decisions, staffing, planned expenses, and nominations/elections.
  • Staffing: After a brief discussion, a motion was made to eliminate one permanent staff position in the school following the current school year. Motion seconded. During discussion, an amendment was made that the decision is to be made by an ad hoc committee appointed by the Council. Amendment seconded and carries, not unanimous. During discussion of amended motion another amendment was presented to qualify that 50% of the members of the committee shall consist of family members who have child enrolled in the school. Amendment seconded and carries, but not unanimous. The vote on the motion failed (13 for, 38 against).
  • Property: Motion made to accept recommendation of council to sell the Hollybluff home. Seconded. During discussion an amendment was made to include the stipulation that the money be used in the following manner:
    1. repay the general fund for repair costs required to bring the property up to code for sale
    2. replenish designated funds borrowed against to cover cash flow requirement
    3. repay member notes coming due
    4. apply the remaining funds to pay down the parsonage
    After discussion of the amendment the amendment fails. The vote for the motion without the amendment to sell Hollybluff carries not unanimous.
  • Budget: Motion to accept budget as presented. Seconded. During discussion, it was noted that the member notes of $35,000 are not included in the budget. It was presented that even with the cuts proposed in the budget (lowering Synod Mission Offerings from 13% to 10%, not replacing the 3rd/4th grade teacher and keeping salaries constant), we could still have a deficit of $2,800-$4,000 per month. An amendment is presented to change the budget to keep SMO at 13%. The amendment fails during its vote. The original budget recommended by the Council passes without the suggested amendment.
  • Nominations: Asked to add one position to Board of Elders (from 8 to 9) and add two positions to Property and Maintenance (from 4 to 6). Motion to add the positions approved was unanimous.
    • Treasurer: Lew Rabenberg elected by acclamation with no dissent.
    • Financial Secretary: Allan Gebert elected by acclamation with no dissent.
    • Secretary: Stephen Berg elected by acclamation with no dissent.
    • Board of Elders: Elected were Billy Conner, Bob Hill, John Stevens, Nelson Poldrack, and Jack Parrish.
    • Board of Education: Mark Smith elected to fill the one open position. Mark asks to resign from Board of Evangelism.
    • Board of Evangelism: Mike Chalman is elected to complete the remainder of Mark Smith's term (1 year). Tony Previti and Nathan Steinke were elected to fill the remaining positions (2 year terms).
    • Property and Maintenance: John Anklam, Art Michel, and Charlie Parduhn elected by acclamation with no dissent.
  • Discussion about reporting monthly financial progress toward budget. Motion made to publish monthly budgetary requirements, year-to-date receipts, and year-to-date budgetary requirements in the monthly newsletter to keep the congregation informed as to the financial stewardship of our congregation. Motion was seconded and approved (not unanimous).

Call to Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned with prayer at 2:50 pm.

Attendance

  • John Anklam
  • Stephen Berg
  • Steve Carter
  • Lou Catozzi
  • Billy Conner
  • H.L. Crouser
  • Edgar Engelbrecht
  • William Eslinger
  • Elmer Faske
  • Tim Faske
  • Mike Fenske
  • Gary Franke
  • Jack Foy
  • Allan Gebert
  • Pat Gove
  • Randy Hamp
  • Eric Hehman
  • Bob Hill
  • Ryan Hill
  • Marvin Hoepken
  • Ron Houts
  • Frank Kammerdiener
  • Rich Knepprath
  • Paul Mattek
  • Gary Maxwell
  • Phil McDanel
  • Tim Moll
  • John Moss
  • Norm Pannenbacker
  • Charlie Parduhn
  • Jack Parrish
  • Paul Pergande
  • Steve Poldrack
  • Steve Prahl
  • Tony Previti
  • Lew Rabenberg
  • Jay Ramos
  • Harvey Raschke
  • Glyn Ridge
  • Clint Rogas
  • Mark Smith
  • Bill Starke
  • Nathan Steinke
  • John Stevens
  • Robert Tedford
  • Robert Timmerman
  • Chad White
  • Larry Woodrum
  • Donald Yoas