Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
Governing Board Minutes

Gloria Dei Governing Board Meeting Minutes

October 11, 2005

President Kesse called the meeting to order at 6:21pm. Pastor Burcham offered an opening prayer. Board members in attendance were Deb Kesse, Doug Pals, Shawn Woolman, Scott Snyder, Ken Wunsch, Lorrie Graaf and Lou Grotheer. There were not any visitors in attendance.

Pastor Burcham gave his report where he updated the Board on the schedule for service times during Christmas and New Years. He has formed a Ministry Action Team to add a Saturday evening service with children's education and there was brief discussion with the Board. The Ablaze campaign is progressing smoothly and the various curricula are nearly complete. The plan is to unveil Ablaze to the congregation starting in November and building to the kickoff in January, 2006.

Pastor Burcham updated the Board on the meeting the Strategic Planning Ministry Action Team (MAT) had on October 5 th . A past leaders meeting is scheduled for October 23 rd . The purpose of this meeting is to update them on the process to-date and ask for their assistance in refining the Strategic Plan. After the past leaders meeting there will be an informal leaders meeting to ask for their assistance. If these two meetings show that the process is on track the MAT will begin having meetings to inform the congregation at large about the process and gain their insight.

Pastor Burcham recommended that the Board give $1,500 out of the scholarship budget to Rod Serbus to help him meet his seminary tuition needs. Pastor Burcham will also contact the circles and various small groups to see if they would be interested in contributing another $1,500 to complete Mr. Serbus' tuition needs. Shawn Woolman made the motion, Lou Grotheer seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Pastor Burcham has been nominated to participate in the Pastor Leadership Institute Board and Executive Development program. This is a two-year program that will meet in the fall and spring of each year. Since this would allow Pastor Burcham to continue with his advanced learning the Board encouraged him to pursue the nomination.

The stain glass project for the narthex has generously been paid for. The goal of raising $25,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief has nearly been reached (over $22,000 raised) and there has been a pledge by a member to fulfill the goal. There was discussion by the Board on future fund raising efforts with the goal of keeping all missions in mind.

The minutes were reviewed and a motion was made by Lorrie Graaf to accept them with a second by Ken Wunsch. Motion carried.

The financial report was given by treasurer Doug Pals. Ken Wunsch made a motion to accept the report, Scott Snyder seconded. Motion carried.

President Kesse distributed a change to the Policy Manual that needed to be made. The Policy Manual was amended to clarify the wording regarding Strategic planning; specifically, that this planning should be done jointly by the Senior Pastor and the Governing Board, along with general membership representation. A motion was made by Shawn Woolman to accept the change, Doug Pals seconded. Motion carried.

The revised membership report was presented for approval, Ken Wunsch moved for approval, Lorrie Graaf seconded. Motion carried.

There was discussion by the Board on the type and extent of reporting it would like to see on the whole ministry of Gloria Dei as well as the specific ministry areas. A recommendation was made to Pastor Burcham for future reporting.

A policy governing the use of supplemental cash use was presented by Shawn Woolman. There was discussion on the intent and wording of the policy. The policy will be updated and presented at the next meeting of the Board.

A motion to adjourn was made by Scott Snyder at 8:42 and seconded by Ken Wunsch. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Shawn Woolman

Vice President