Executive Summaries, WCF Elders, January-July, 2010

The following summaries briefly highlight some of the discussions and decisions by the Elders thus far in 2010 and is one attempt to keep the congregation informed of leadership deliberations. Situations concerning sensitive pastoral care and/or relational issues are not included in these summaries.

The Elders—Liz Driver, Margot Eyring, Kristal Graber, Maria Graham, Jerry Herbert, Karin Hope, Neal Smith and Swami Swamidoss—meet the first and third Wednesday evenings for two hours. Del Glick, Senior Pastor, presides. Each meeting begins with spiritual reflections and concludes with prayer for the concerns and challenges of congregational life and for WCF members.

January 6

1. Established responsibility rotations. Karin Hope continues as clerk. Meetings will continue to be two hours in length, beginning at 7:05 pm.
2. Shared significant events in the life of WCF during 2009 for use in a future retrospective.
3. Reviewed congregational directory and discussed pending issues of content.
4. Received updates from the Worship Commission on the worship grant proposal with Calvin Institute; agreed to develop a weekend Enquirers’ Class.
5. Discussed Leadership Retreat (January 22-23) planning which will be coordinated with the Deacons.

February 3

1. Reconnected with each other, welcomed Jerry as new Elder and reviewed the Elder behavioral covenant.
2. Reported that a quorum via e-ballots was achieved to approve the Leadership Affirmation Ballot.
3. Brainstormed about “spiritual diet” of sermon/worship emphasis and its intersection with other congregational events.
4. Continued the discussion regarding youth ministry of WCF and The Porch. A task group (Elders Maria Graham and Neal Smith and Deacons Ryan Hunt and Val Rheinheimer) was launched to further explore and discern these issues.
5. Began review process for Senior Pastor Del Glick.

February 24

1. Agreed to advertise and sponsor attendance at Grace and Race seminar.
2. Reviewed the Leadership Retreat with focus on positive realizations and plans for the near future.
3. Discussed Jews for Jesus Passover potluck (March 28) and The Porch updates.
4. Reviewed Church Directory progress; decided on Enquirers’ Class for March 6-7.
5. Reflected on the Diaconate discernment process of Commission responsibilities and agreed to identity priorities as requested by the Diaconate.
6. Updated plans for the Senior Pastor review next week.

March 3

1. Discussed and reflected on 2010 congregational priorities and needs.
2. Kristin List, Congregational Convener, facilitated the 75 minute Senior Pastor review.
3. Listened to Janel Kragt Bakker’s grief journey and accepted with deep regret her decision to resign from her term as Elder.

March 17

1. Discussed the possibility of Elder grief training and in-house pictorial directory.
2. Received updates on The Porch task group, the Racial Reconciliation seminar, the 2010 priorities as discussed by the Diaconate and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project.
3. Reviewed the Senior Pastor review findings and how best to move forward.
4. Continued to discuss a potential Human Sexuality worship/sermon series.
5. Shared and responded to various pastoral/member care updates.

April 7

1. Decided on final format and report to the congregation re Senior Pastor review.
2. Reviewed worship plans Easter through Pentecost including Ken Nafziger’s availability; Youth Sunday scheduled for June 13.
3. Brainstormed about content and resource persons for All Church Retreat September 25-26.
4. Began discussion of summer worship schedule and times.
5. Discussed Easter sermon (April 4) and focus on redemption of body and soul.

April 21

1. Update and discussion about idea which surfaced at Leadership Retreat to initiate monthly potlucks with Diaconate leadership.
2. Confirmed Myron/Esther Augsburger’s availability as resource persons for All Church Retreat. Elders wish to make the retreat forward-looking with suggestions that stories and art have a missional focus.
3. Discussed a preliminary proposal of a 10 am worship start time and explored its impact on a variety of other congregational events and dynamics such as nurture and fellowship.
4. Discussed worship theme possibilities through the remainder of 2010.

May 5

1. Announced that WCF received Calvin Institute worship grant. Del & Margot will attend a June 29-July 1 conference at Calvin College. An implementation group begins formation under Margot’s grant administrator role.
2. Discussed and discern to affirm a new worship team led by Justin/Erin Scott and Michael/Amy Sawyer.
3. Discussed children’s and youth nurture with Deacons Phyllis Thompson and Val Rheinheimer as it relates to summer schedule and beyond.
4. Listened to and discussed with Christina Fowler her experience with the DeVos Leadership Initiative (now concluded) and her personal and ministry foci.

May 19

1. Approved use of WCF facilities for Grace DC Vacation Bible School.
2. Discussed the challenge of “summertime doldrums” and how to maximize summertime opportunities.
3. Received summary of 5/16 potluck discussion on summer schedule regarding worship time, nurture and fellowship.
4. Update from Youth Ministry Task Group on WCF youth ministry and The Porch.
5. Agreed to support efforts for a post-high school nurture/ministry.
6. Focused on mutual soul care.

June 2

1. Received updates from The Porch and Youth Ministry, the Healing Prayer Team activities including Elders’ involvement, incorporation into worship and sermon on healing; post-high school youth ministry, informal summer activities, the Worship Grant process, the Night of Prayer and All Church Retreat.
2. Decided on congregational and bulletin announcements regarding change of worship time and Sunday school schedule for the summer and beyond.
3. Agreed to tentative specifics of worship and preaching schedule for summer.
4. Delayed discussion of membership expectations regarding “bounded and centered sets.”

June 23

1. Agreed on summer timing with suggestions for streamlining worship time and coordination in collaboration with the Worship Commission.
2. Ongoing discussion of next steps for The Porch and WCFYouth Ministry and how best to partner with neighboring congregations and/or organizations.
3. Discussion of latex (balloon) situation on 6/20 and Elders’ responsibility to ensure sensitive communication and knowledge on part of all involved with worship such as greeters and ushers.

July 7

1. Reviewed and shared Elders’ outreach efforts such as CSA-related activities.
2. Heard updates from Margot and Del about the Calvin Institute Worship Grant Conference held earlier.
3. Reviewed tentative content plans for All Church Retreat.
4. Revisited earlier decision to form a Pastoral Congregational Relationship Committee.
5. Decided to delay the projected sermon/worship series on Human Sexuality until 2011 because of the year-long Calvin Institute worship grant emphasis.
6. Discussed another possible Enquirers Class and accessibility of newcomers and seekers.

Summarized July 2010