FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

LEXNGTON, KENTUCKY

CHARGE CONFERENCE MINUTES

November 17, 2003

 


At 7:00 p.m. Dr. Al Gwinn called the First United Methodist Church Charge Conference to order at the request of Dr. Paige Williams, District Superintendent who was not able to be present.

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

 

 

Dr. Al Gwinn opened the meeting by reading from Psalms 66, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord…” followed by singing There Is Within My Heart A Melody and When We All Get To Heaven followed by prayer.

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

 

 

Dr. Gwinn mentioned we had a couple of Asbury Seminary students visiting with us and acknowledged a special hello to Dr. Jim Orr, not a visitor but to welcome him back in our midst.

 

INTRODUCTIONS

 

 

 

There are four recommendations for Lay Speakers:

  1. Randy Clay
  2. Starr Clay
  3. David Bondurant
  4. Carolyn Purcell

Dr. Carolyn Purcell shared she has just completed small group training.  She said she is certain she will find the training most valuable as she continues to teach the Christian Believers Class.  Dr. Purcell shared a special thank you note she had received from The Salvation Army for the “Inn Keeper’s Offering” that was taken on last Christmas Eve.  The Salvation Army appreciated the idea of the “Inn Keeper’s Offering” and they plan to make it an on-going yearly offering.

 

Dr. Gwinn asked the assembled if they would like to affirm the recommendations to say Amen.  There being no objections the recommendations were approved.

 

RECOMMENDATION FOR LAY SPEAKERS

 

 

 

Bob Flemming, chair reported the Endowment Foundation had a very informative education event last month.  The evening was put on video and will soon be available.  The Endowment Foundation is, very thankfully, growing with $560,000 last year and this year has increased to $608,000.

 

REPORT OF THE FIRST CHURCH ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION

 

 

 

Scooter Leonard reported that he is aiming for the annual audit to be completed by the end of the year.  There are just a few finishing touches needed.  Dr. Gwinn asked if there were any questions, there being none the report was received for filing.

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT continued…

 

 

 

Ernie Stamper, chair reported he and Foster Ockerman, Jr. have fully negotiated the terms of the loan with Bank One that will be used to refinance the mortgages on the Andover property.  The Trustees can execute as soon as they see and review a draft of the full document package.  Based upon the approval of the Finance Committee, and the approval of our last Administrative Council meeting, this does not require further action by the committee or this body.  The starting interest rate was cited at 1.99% (quoted on October 27, 2003) but may be slightly different when we execute since the index to which it is tied (LIBOR) may have changed slightly by the time of closing.

 

Based also upon the approval of the Finance Committee and the Administrative Council, we negotiated an option for an additional line of credit with Bank One, which would be secured by a second mortgage on the Andover property.  We now wish to proceed, and to seek approval from this Charge Conference for the additional $250,000 credit line.  The only approval, as discussed, needed is for authority to establish the additional mortgage on the Andover property to secure this line of credit.

 

Proceeding to do this now will allow us to optimize the interest expense on our outstanding loan balances.  We would propose to keep no more than a nominal amount open on the First Federal line, and to shift the remainder to this new line, since Scooter has not been successful in reducing the First Federal rate.  These steps will result in a considerable savings on both the outstanding property loans and the line of credit.  With this action we will be establishing a LOC with Bank One and as a housekeeping matter transferring most of our current draws to the lower interest rate line, but nothing new for improvements at Andover until a plan has been presented to and approved by a future Charge Conference.

 

We are proceeding on the primary loan ASAP in order to allow the District to refinance their loans that are secured by the District Parsonage, which currently is entangled in the Andover property.  With the approval of the Charge Conference this evening we will complete the steps to open the new line of credit.

 

Dr. Gwinn asked the assembled if there were any questions?

·        Question:  Will the interest rate be a floating rate?

°         Answer:  Yes, the interest rate will be a floating rate with no prepayment penalties – the original loan has already been approved.

Dr. Gwinn reiterated the Finance Committee’s recommendation to the Charge Conference to establish a line of credit on the Andover property.  Second by Dave Withers.  All in favor signify by saying Amen, none opposed.  Approved.

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE continued…

 

 

 

Scooter Leonard reported on the 2004 Our Mission Covenant.  He explained that every United Methodist Congregation is being asked to enter into a Covenant with the Kentucky Annual Conference regarding their financial support of the ministries and mission of the United Methodist Church.  Each congregation is asked to prayerfully consider their financial support of the ministries and mission of the Kentucky Conference.  Under the new plan we support with 16% of our operating income.  The first year of the plan we contributed 15% and last year moved to 16%, as recommended.  Ernie Stamper advised the Charge Conference there was no objection to the proposed 16% by the Finance Committee.  Dr. Al Gwinn added that in 2002 First UMC was in the number 4 spot of highest givers in the Kentucky Conference.  Dr. Gwinn asked for all in favor to signify by saying Amen, none opposed.  Approved.

 

The Lexington District uses the same formula as the Kentucky Conference for the Mission Covenant.  The only difference being the amount is 2%.  First UMC is in the number 1 or 2 spot of the Lexington District; in fact we are being used as an example to other churches in the District.

 

Dr. Gwinn asked if there were any questions:

·        Question:  Does this 2% include the giving of the United Methodist Women?

°         Answer:  No it does not include the UMW giving.

·        Question:  Is there currently a place on the Stewardship Campaign Pie Chart for mission giving?

°         Answer:  Not at the present time.  However, Scooter will place the total mission giving (includes Faith Promise and 5th Sunday offerings) into the pie chart for next year.

 

Dr. Gwinn asked for all in favor to signify by saying Amen, none opposed.  Approved.

 

ACCEPTANCE OF OUR MISSION COVENANT WITH THE KENTUCKY CONFERENCE

 

 

 

Dr. Al Gwinn recognized the retired members of the Kentucky Annual Conference who were present:

  1. Rev. Billy Ray Jennings
  2. Rev. Jack Shepard
  3. Rev. Ted Nicholas
  4. Rev. Jim Foster

Dr. Gwinn advised the assembled Dr. Harold Dorsey has requested his connection be moved to First United Methodist Church.

 

Dr. Gwinn also reported there are three clergy involved in other ministries:

  1. Dr. Bob Mulholland, Jr.
  2. Dr. Steve O’Malley
  3. Rev. Ron Berry

 

At this time Dr. Gwinn asked the Associate Pastors of First UMC to report on happenings in their respective areas of ministry.

  1. Rev. Chuck Griffin pastors in the area of discipleship and nurturing.  Chuck reported he is working to develop:

·         Identify individuals who are in need of assistance. 

·        There have already been changes in some Sunday School Classes and a new type of class has been added.   Some new Wednesday night classes are now being offered.  A seminar entitled Financial Peace University has been presented and Chuck is looking forward to offering Marriage Enrichment Seminars and Parenting Seminars.

·        Growth groups are beginning to form. 

·        Methods of tracking people who have fallen away from the Church.

·        The “We Care Program” is comprised of lay people visiting individuals who are ill and individuals who are homebound.

·        Looking at the possibility of reviving the Stephen Ministry with a Stephen Ministry Training Program.

2.      Rev. Ken Klemme pastors in the area of Evangelism.  Ken shared his desire to paint a picture with numbers for the Charge Conference.  Ken reported the following growth information for the year 2002.

·        January 2002 to present 105 persons were taken into membership.

°         33 from Methodist churches in Lexington area

°         16 from Methodist churches out of town

°         20 from other denominations

°         20 by reaffirmation of faith

°         16 by affirmation of Faith (Confirmands)

·        Another way to look at the numbers would be:

°         1/3 from local UMC’s

°         1/3 from churches either out of town or of another denomination

°         1/3 added to the kingdom

·        39 people have left either by death or by transfer.

·        The above numbers result in a net gain of 66 people.

 

·        Another growth measurement is average worship attendance

°         2002 (through 44 weeks) average attendance was 608

°         2003 (through 44 weeks) average attendance is 685

°         Net increase in average worship of 77 (greater than our membership growth).

·        Other positive signs for the future:

°         Baptisms – 19

°         Births – 12

Ken concluded his report by saying peoples’ lives are being transformed.  In essence it is not so much classes or music but God’s love blessing us.

  1. Rev. Martina Ockerman, Deacon serves at Nathaniel Mission.  She was not able to be present this evening due to a prior commitment.  Her report was submitted.          
  2. Mr. Denny McCardle, Diaconal Minister serves in ministry as Principal of Lexington Christian Academy.

 

REPORTS OF ORDAINED CLERGY

 

 

 

 

REPORTS OF ORDAINED CLERGY continued…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REPORTS OF ORDAINED CLERGY continued…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Gwinn presented to the Charge Conference the 2004 Report of the Committee on Lay Leadership.  Dr. Gwinn asked if there were any questions:

·        Question:  Was there a reason for fewer “At-Large Members Of Administrative Council” members.

°         Answer:  Dr. Gwinn explained that a line should have been inserted at the end of the list.  The individual for that slot has not been confirmed as yet.

 

REPORT OF THE LAY LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

 

 

 

At this point in the Charge Conference meeting Dr. Gwinn recognized the members rotating off the Administrative Council.  On behalf of First UMC he thanked them for their faithfulness and willingness to serve. 

 

RECOGNITION OF LEADERS ROTATING FROM THEIR LEADERSHIP POSITION

 

 

 

Missions Committee

·        David Bratcher, chair reported a pastor from Palestine recently visited with us.  David said this pastor resides in Israel and travels back and forth through the country via public transportation.  This pastor expressed a desire for a vehicle that would be safer than public transportation.  Someone has very generously offered a $6,000 matching gift to purchase a

Vehicle.  The Missions Committee recommends giving         $6,000 to this ministry.  David expressed to the Charge Conference

 

OTHER REPORTS

      the wonderful way First UMC membership has rallied around the “Room At The Inn” Program.  The Missions Committee, at this time, requests $3,500 for the operation of that program.  There is presently enough in Faith Promise to cover the requests.  Dr. Gwinn asked the assembled to signify by saying Amen if they approve the Missions Committee recommendation.  There being no opposition the recommendation was approved.

Salaries of Clergy Staff

·        Dr. Gwinn advised the Charge Conference the salaries of clergy staff in the past have been set in January.  The 2004 salaries will be set at the same amount as 2003 and revisited at a January Charge Conference when the 2004 Budget is set after the Stewardship Campaign has been completed.  However, the IRS Tax Code for Parsonage Allowance does require action by this Charge Conference.  The Staff Parish Committee recommends an amount equal to 20% of the base salary of Rev. Ken Klemme, Rev. Chuck Griffin and Dr. Al Gwinn be approved.  Dr. Gwinn requested all to signify by saying Amen if they approve, there being no objections the Staff Parish Committee’s recommendation was approved.

Habitat House

·        Paul Sullivan reported he attended the dedication of the Habitat House with David Bratcher, David Marshall and others.  Paul commended First UMC for its willingness to support the Habitat House Program.

Kentucky Conference Center

·        Dr. Gwinn reported Paul Sullivan and David Withers plan to meet at 9:30 a.m. on November 18 to review some much needed work that needs to be done on the Conference Center in Louisville.

Andover Campus Meeting

·        Marsha Berry asked about the Andover Campus meeting on November 16.  Dr. Gwinn reported about 24 people met there and were led by Rhonda Hartweg and Ken Klemme for about an hour and a half in prayer and praise.  Dr. Gwinn added that many things will be happening out there during the Christmas Eve worship experience.  A new sign has been put into place – First United Methodist Church Andover Campus.

 

 

 

 

OTHER REPORTS continued…

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Al Gwinn shared a paraphrase version of something once said

by Will Rogers: Grief is not something to share but joy must always be shared.  Dr. Gwinn offered a closing prayer and the Charge Conference was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Joyce Miller

Recording Secretary

 

BENEDICTION