FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

LEXNGTON, KENTUCKY

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MINUTES

May 23, 2005

 


At 7:04 p.m. Mary Lee Kerr, chair called to order the First United Methodist Church Administrative Council. 

 

CONVENING THE BODY

 

 

 

Mary Lee Kerr shared a little of her recent trip to Rome and how much of the historic decisions of old parallel much of what we do now and in future Administrative Council meetings for the on going of ministry of First United Methodist Church, Lexington, Kentucky.

 

DEVOTION / CENTERING TIME

 

 

 

Minutes of January 24, 2005 were distributed and reviewed by the assembled.  Paul Ferrell made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, second by Howard Shellhaas.  Motion approved. 

 

APPROVAL OF THE 1/24/05 MINUTES

 

 

 

Rev. Paul Brunstetter shared that through prayer and an earnest seeking to do God’s Will, in 2005-06 FUMC desires to reach these goals:

1.      Implement a simplified church structure that will:

·        Empower lay leadership;

·        Engage more our congregation in ministry;

·        Facilitate our 5 purposes

·        Create clear communication

2.      Establish a culture and implement an invitational process       that connects persons into the life of the church and enable       attendance to grow by 10% a year.

·        Follow-up plan for visitors and prospective members;

·        Clear invitation and material available in worship services and other settings;

·        New Member class;

·        Helping congregation to identify gifts and passions;

·        Placing interested in service or small group opportunities.

·        Develop long-range/ phased building plan that will accommodate:


·        Growing by 10% a year in worship attendance

·        A unique and excellent music program / worship experience

·        Fellowship needs

·        An exciting children’s and youth program

·        Adequate and convenient parking

·        A satellite congregation.

 

3.    Establish a First Church satellite and “Community Presence” at Andover that is Christ-centered and family friendly.

·        Establish a vision and clear mission for the use of the property.

·        Hire a staff person to oversee this family and community ministry

·        Build or convert present building to a community recreational facility

·         Grow age-level and recreational ministries for the church family

·         Explore the prospect of partnering with Lexington Christian Academy

·        Project and plan small groups, classes, and workshops

·        Invite the community to use the site

 

4.    Continue to grow a downtown presence that will target:

·        The professional and educational community;

·        The hurting humanity that are drawn to the city

·        The residential community

 

 

REVIEW OF 2005 CHURCH GOALS

 

 

 

Roy Allison, chair reported the actual giving is under the pledged amount with actual expenditures also under their budged amounts.  Report submitted, no second required – Approved.

 

FINANCE REPORT

 

 

 

Marsh Berry reported the first Vital Connections class is to finish up tomorrow evening, May 25, 2005.  The goal is to have every one participate in all of the Core Classes; from guests who are showing interest in our church, to those who regularly attend but have not joined, to all of our members, even lifelong Methodist.

 

CORE CLASSES / VITAL CONNECTIONS

 

 

 

Teddy Ray reported Offerings will continue to be a third worship service – different time, slightly different look, same mission. 

 

With the remodeling the plan is to have Offerings in a new “high tech” room upstairs.

 

OFFERINGS

 

 

OFFERINGS continued…

 

 

 

Bill Pabian reported work is ongoing with Greg Dunbar and Associates in trying improve the people flow from the sanctuary and accommodate the Offerings service.

 

RENOVATION UPDATE

 

 

 

Rev. Paul Brunstetter reviewed the building vision presented to him when he first came to First UMC.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

·      Proposed Building Phases

            PHILOSOPHICAL VALUES

1.      First UMC is “Downtown for Good”

2.      As disciples of the Great Commission, we should anticipate growing 10% every year.

3.      Making room for visitors/seekers is urgent.  The “80 percent rule” is real.

4.      Parking, Choir Space, Recreational Space/Program, Sunday School, Gathering Space, and Fellowship Hall space are all legitimate and urgent needs

5.      Satellite church at Andover is a wonderful opportunity,

but must not be bound by a building

            STEP ONE:

·        Renovate to give enlarged chapel and gathering space

      STEP TWO:

·        Partnership with Andover and Lexington Christian Academy

STEP THREE:

·        Andover Recreational Ministry Facility

STEP FOUR

·        Expanded Parking Options

STEP FIVE:

·        Move to three morning worship services plus Offerings

STEP SIX:

·        New Sanctuary

o       Expanded parking opportunities

o       Adequate choir space

o       Seating for 1200

STEP SEVEN:

·        New Worship Service At Andover

o       Enough members at FUMC who worship at Andover to fund new building

 

STEP EIGHT:

·        Fellowship Hall And Class Rooms

o       Ground Level Fellowship space

o       Improved youth and children’s space

STEP NINE:

·        New Satellite Sanctuary At Andover

STEP TEN:

·        New Staff to replace old, frazzled and worn-down existing staff

o       Live-in offices

o       Go cheap!

Rev. Brunstetter opened the time for Q and A.

·        Question:  What are we to do to reach UK and Transy?

o       Answer:  Offerings will be key to that.

 

Rev. Brunstetter presented an aggressive building timeline:

BUILDING TIMELINE:

·        Approval of LCA Concept                          June, ’05

·        Renovation of  “Gathering Area begins         June, ’05

·        Pre-School Begins                                       August ’05

·        Vote to Partner with LCA                            August ’05

·        New Sanctuary Schematics                          September ’05

·        Parking Plan and Shuttle Parking begin         September ’05

·        Open House for Offices / Renovation           September ’05

·        Enlistment of Fund-Raising Consultants        September ’05

·        Capital Funding Program Design                  October, ’05

·        Steering Committee Enlistment                     December, ’05

·        Decision to Build as funding is raised            December ’05

·        Third Morning Worship Service begins         March ’06

·        Advance Commitments                                March ’06

·        Celebration Sunday                                     April ’06

·        Andover Building begins                              March ’06

·        Sanctuary building begins                             With funding

·        Andover school (K-3) begins                       September ‘06

 

Rev. Brunstetter admonished the Council to be in prayer for what is coming.

 

BUILDING PLAN / VISION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUILDING PLAN / VISION continued…

 

 

 

Kathy Beach, chair reported that exciting events are planned:

1.      August 26-27, 2005 Alvin GanderGriend will be presenting Learning to Love to Pray.

2.      Service of Healing and Wholeness in June.

 

 

Kathy also informed the Council of the Annual conference Prayer Room to be filled by intercessors fro 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day of Annual Conference.

 

PRAYER TEAM

 

 

 

 

 

PRAYER TEAM continued…

 

 

 

Howard Shellhaas reported that according to the By Laws of the Board of Stewards they are to hire an attorney or a church chancellor.  For the consideration of the Staff Parish Committee the following resolution is being presented:

·        Be it Resolved;

Staff Parrish Committee be directed to consider the appointment or hiring a church chancellor.

 

Resolution approved to be sent to Staff Parish Committee.

 

The 1st UMC Endowment Foundation, Inc. Financial Summary report was submitted for record.

 

CHURCH CHANCELLOR

 

 

 

David Bratcher, chair reported there is a scheduled dinner on June 26 for the Estonia Team as a fundraiser.  Report received from committee.

 

MISSIONS REPORT

 

 

 

Scooter reported the following repairs:

1.      New roof on parsonage

2.      Repairs to Andover

3.      Plans to remodel the basement ladies restroom in this building

4.      Closets have been added

5.      Opening up some class rooms for adults

6.      Rokeby will be vacated and used by Missions. 

7.      The library is in the process of moving. 

8.      Linda is already moved and most offices have already been painted.

 

UPDATES / REPORTS

 

 

 

Rev. Paul Brunstetter closed the meeting with prayer at 9:20 p.m.

Meeting adjourned.

 

CLOSING PRAYER

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Joyce Miller

Recording Secretary