Landisville Mennonite Church

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