FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

LEXNGTON, KENTUCKY

CHARGE CONFERENCE/ADMINSTRATIVE COUNCIL MINUTES

March 3, 2003

 


At 7:00 p.m. Foster Ockerman, Jr., chair called to order the First United Methodist Church Administrative Council.  Mr. Ockerman requested Dr. Al Gwinn to open the meeting with prayer.

 

CONVENING THE BODY

 

 

 

Foster Ockerman, Jr. made mention of a correction to the Administrative Council Minutes of January 27, 2003.  That correction being to the Finance section:  “Income marked parsonage is from the endowment funded by the sale of parsonages.”  There being no other additions or corrections motion was made by John Melvin and seconded by Star Clay to accept the January 27, 2003 Minutes as corrected.  Approved.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINTUES

 

 

 

Dr. Al Gwinn brought to the attention of the Council the Organizational Overview of the Administrative Council as a piece of information for future reference.  Dr. Gwinn continued with the Mandates for Ministry in the New Millennium.  He used Noah as an example of a leader and emphasized that Noah  about being prepared.  The Administrative Council then viewed movie clips about God seeking Noah’s attention in order to tell him that he must build an ark.  Dr. Gwinn directed the Council to the handout:

I.          KEEP THE CALL ALIVE

·        We must keep the call of God on our lives alive. 

·        Dr. Gwinn asked that we recommit our wills to God.

II.         UNDERSTAND THE CHANGING WORLD

·        The world is changing and we must get used to it. 

·        Discerning and understanding is the mark of a leader.

·        What does God need us to do to stay in touch with the world?

III.       KEEP THE MISSION CLEAR

·        The church needs leadership and we must build teams out of leaders.

IV.       BUILD TEAMS

·        Build with others.  No one individual can be the expert on everything.

·        Everyone has a contribution to make.

·        A vision without a plan is only a dream.

·        Discovering God’s plan is a leadership skill.

V.        BUILD STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS TO NAVIGAT             CHANGE

·        A vision is no good without a plan.

VI.       GET A GRIP ON REALITY

·        There are going to be messes.  Leaders live in the real world and learn to deal with ‘yuck”. 

·        Are we willing to patiently deal with “yuck”. 

VII.      HOLD ON TO THE PROMISE

·        We must hold to the promise, the vision of a warm heart and bold action.

·        As John Wesley stated: “The best of all, God is with us.”

 

O.T. MODEL FOR MINISTRY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

O.T. MODEL FOR MINISTRY continued…

 

 

 

 

Building Task Force:

·        Foster Ockerman, Jr. reported for Richard Dorton, chair that Partners and Associates has been hired.  On March 4, 2003 a team will arrive to begin evaluating in order to make some recommendations by June or July.

Missions Committee:

·        David Bratcher, reported for Glenda Creech, chair:  the Missions Committee met several weeks ago to plan the Faith Promise Sunday portion of the March 3, 2003 services.  First UMC is currently supporting the following missionaries:

Ø      Charles and Patty Maddox       Haiti

Ø      Lori and David Persons            Republic of Congo

Ø      David and Lori Long                Hong Kong

Ø      Larry and Joy McPherson         Uganda

Ø      Mel and Fran Noah                  Brazil

Ø      Reid and Lola Buchanan           Ghana

 

      The Missions Committee respectfully submits this report for       acceptance by the Administrative Council.  Approved.

Finance Committee:

·        Ernie Stamper, chair reported the January revenue usually isn’t very good.  However, the expenses were under-spent with Actual Expense being $3,919.68.  Ernie Stamper indicated that the Finance Committee felt that everything is progressing well.  Dr. Gwinn asked the assembled if there were any questions?  Star Clay made a motion accept the report and seconded by David Bratcher.  Approved. 

Endowment Foundation:

·        Foster Ockerman, Jr. reported for Bob Flemming, chair:  a letter had been received from Howard Shellhaas, chair of the distributions committee of the Foundation stating that the following amounts are available if requested:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Ø      There is a church fund for critical needs of $4,427.

Ø      Nancy Roszell Stevens Ministries Fund is just over $5,000.

Ø      Whitehouse Scholarship Fund has $500 available to award a scholarship.  A scholarship will not be awarded this year but will be available next year.  The Administrative Council has been asked by the Foundation to develop eligibility and selection criteria for awarding a scholarship. [will be outlined.]

 

Foster Ockerman, Jr. requested the Administrative Council receive this report.  Approved.  No action was taken to make any requests for distributions at this time.

United Methodist Men:

·        Winston Dodson, chair reported the Valentine Celebration was attended by 120 and enjoyed by all.  Mayor, Teresa Issac was the invited guest speaker, she came well prepared and answered all questions.  The next UMM event will be on April 3, 2003, Terry Maubley of UK will be the guest speaker.  The UMM will circulate a church wide invitation soon.

United Methodist Women:

·        Esther Mariano reported for Kathy Sullivan, chair that the Lexington District held a Mini School of Christian Mission and 43 ladies attended.  Three studies for credit through the Kentucky Conference were offered:

Ø      Mexico

Ø      Restorative Justice

Ø      Book of James.

 

The UMW is currently working on a new Prayer Chain.  Esther Mariano brought a question from the UMW as to whether the Administrative Council would approve either a Fall Festival or a 4th of July outing.  Scooter Leonard checked the calendar and saw no conflict for either event.  The Administrative Council approved the UMW to proceed with plans for either a Fall Festival or a 4th of July outing.

 

MINISTRY UPDATES & DECISIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINISTRY UPDATES & DECISIONS continued…

 

 

 

Trustees:

·        Bill Pabian, chair indicated the Trustees had no report at this time.

 

Dr. Gwinn took opportunity to give a special thanks to Dr. Bob Mulholland for his outstanding preaching on March 2, 2003.

 

OTHER REPORTS

 

 

 

Todds Road Property

Dr. Gwinn recapped for the Administrative Council that the 1st UMC Task Force has worked diligently with Andover Community Church providing pastoral leadership as well as support in other areas.  Dr. Gwinn called attention to a handout entitled Current Financial Facts Regarding Andover dated March 3, 2003:

 

·        The property appraised in a “Sales Comparison Approach” in July of 2002 for $1,110,000.

·        The indebtedness to First Federal in October 2002 was $551,990.77 and has recently been negotiated to refinance the loan to a lower monthly payment of $3,800.

·        The LFCUG has intentions to use 1.59 acres for Polo Blvd. and has informed the Lexington District the land is worth $86,000.  A disagreement developed between the developer and Andover resulting in the developer to pay for Polo Blvd.

·        An older couple who are new converts want very much to see the church continued at Andover.  Presently a “small group” is still meeting at Andover.  They do receive an offering each Sunday even though worship services are not being held. 

·        The Kentucky Conference Board of Trustees, who holds title to the property, has asked 1st UMC to take over the property and develop the vision we believe God has for Andover.  If the property should be sold then 1st UMC would receive back all money that has been put into the property. 

 

A hearty discussion followed:  Star Clay asked about the original Conference investment of $160,000 and Dr. Gwinn explained the money has been considered a wash.  Foster Ockerman, Jr. added that Andover was probably planted too soon and had a very large debt before it had time to acquire a critical mass.  The 40509 area studies indicate 29% of the population has no faith involvement, 60 % has no church connection.  The preference for worship is historic traditional worship while Andover began by offering contemporary style worship. 

 

As part of their study Partners and Associates will look at our interest in Andover, if it is accepted as our property.  Dr. Gwinn was quick to say that 1st UMC has no plans to relocate to the Andover property, he also added that in a study of our church membership in the 40509 zip we currently have 79 members and 64 prospects. Foster Ockerman, Jr. added that an emerging trend is for old, downtown churches to add a suburban campus, instead of relocating, and that this might become our model.

 

Ken Klemme mentioned, often on Wednesday evenings there are problems with parking around UK games due to our location being so close to Rupp Arena.  With the Andover property growth groups and small groups could meet with ample parking. 

 

Dr. Gwinn reported the Andover cell tower revenue is approximately $800 to $1,000 per month and that amount will be available for debt service or other purposes.  He also added, we need to aim for Andover to be driven by programs and ministry rather than

investment.  Also, there is no current plan for the facility to be used as a secondary worship place.

 

Several suggestions followed:

·        The next Council meeting be scheduled out at the Andover facility. 

·        The facility could be turned into a Christian Living Center.

·        Used for VBS.

·        Church picnics.

 

FUTURE POSSIBILITIES WITH ANDOVR CHURCH

 

 

 

 

 

FUTURE POSSIBILITIES WITH ANDOVR CHURCH continued…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUTURE POSSIBILITIES WITH ANDOVR CHURCH continued…

 

 

 

Dates to Remember:

·        3/23           Youth Sunday

·        3/30           Musicale

·        4/2             Q & A time before or after Prayer Meeting

·        4/3             United Methodist Men

·        4/6             Time Change

·        4/14           ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETING

·        4/20           Easter

·        4/27           Heritage Sunday

·        5/4             Children’s Musical

·        5/5             ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETING

·        5/11           Mother’s Day

·        5/18           DG and Tiffany to preach

·        6/8-12        VBS

 

DATES TO REMEMBER

 

 

 

Dr. Gwinn extended a large thank you to Ken Klemme for handling the projector for the presentation tonight.  Thanks to Chuck Griffin for doing the Andover research work.  And, many thanks to Scooter Leonard for always taking care of the behind-the-scene projects.

 

WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

 

 

 

There being no further business Dr. Gwinn adjourned the meeting with prayer at 8:53 p.m.

 

CLOSING PRAYER

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Joyce Miller

Recording Secretary