Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
Governing Board Minutes

Call to Order: Doug Pals called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were Marv Rohn, Doug Pals, Pastor Burcham, Lorrie Graaf, Scott Snyder, Kevin Kelley, Mark Pierson, and Laurie Peterson.
Not present was Ken Wunsch and Shawn Woolman.

Visitor Recognition: Laura Rath was present as recording secretary.

Consent Agenda:

• The minutes from the January 2009 meeting were approved by consensus.
• After discussion, the financial report was also approved.

Monitoring Affirmation:
Parish Paper: The Board discussed the topic of the February issue: “Should Our Congregation Offer More Choices?”
After discussing the Parish Paper, the meeting was turned over to Vice President Laurie Peterson.

The Serving Leader: The Board discussed the first three chapters of The Serving Leader, by Ken Jennings and John Stahl-Wert. Laurie Peterson suggested that everyone finish reading the book and plan to discuss at the March meeting.

Senior Pastor Report:

• The IDW District Convention is June 21-24, 2009 at Camp Okoboji. Pastor Burcham will serve at the pastoral delegate and Kevin Kelley, from the Governing Board, will be the lay delegate from Gloria Dei.
• Pastor Burcham gave an analysis of pledges for 2009. As of Jan. 31, 2008, 344 households turned in pledges for 2009 totaling $1,198,982.20.
• Pastor Burcham will give the State of the Church report to the Board on Feb. 17, from 7-9 p.m. at Connxions Event Center in Urbandale. The report will recap the previous year and identify initiatives for the upcoming year.
• Pastor Burcham explained plans to respond to the tough economic times we are in. A new sermon series will run March 1-29 called “New Beginnings,” and will address some of the anxieties that people are feeling during this time in a positive manner. Pastor Phillips is forming a ministry action team to offer a support group for those who have lost their jobs. Bill Jesse is working on setting up a room as a business center to aid those looking for employment. He has contacts with several companies that will possibly be donating equipment and supplies for this room.
• Pastor Burcham reported that Pastor Meyer has accepted the Call to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and School. Gloria Dei has accomplished its mission of training a Seminary graduate for 3-5 years. Pastor Meyer has been at Gloria Dei for 3 ½ years. Pastor Burcham will work with President Ken Wunsch and Vice President Laurie Peterson to put together a Call committee.
• Pastor Burcham explained to the Board that he has consulted with Messiah Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska to help them move to policy based governance. They have been without a Senior Pastor for three years.

Actions:
Nominating Committee – Doug Pals and Lorrie Graaf are in the process of forming a Nominating Committee. Three additional people from the congregation are needed to serve on this committee. The Board will need to fill two slots in June 2009. Ken Wunsch and Shawn Woolman will both complete their second terms.

Succession Plan Committee – This committee will provide a status report at the March meeting.

Housekeeping:

• Governing Board Retreat – February 17, 7-9 p.m. at Connxions Event Center
• Future Meetings – March 10 Governing Board Meeting (Materials due March 2)

Adjournment:  
After the Lord’s Prayer, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Laura Rath.