FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

LEXNGTON, KENTUCKY

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MINUTES

September 26, 2005

At 7:06 p.m. Mary Lee Kerr, chair called to order the First United Methodist Church Administrative Council.	CONVENING THE BODY
Mary Lee Kerr shared with the assembled a story of a listening heart asking the questions: How often do you listen to respond and you don’t really listen. And, when you listen to God are you really hearing God? The meeting was opened with prayer.	DEVOTIONAL / PRAYER
Call to Order: Rev. Paul Brunstetter made a proposal that full funds be relinquished from the Nancy Roszell Endowment Funds for renovation expenses as memorial to Nancy Roszell. The original funds began with $120,000 and have grown to $156,000. Mary Lee Kerr called for the vote - Proposal approved, unanimous. Charge Conference adjourned.	CHARGE CONFERENCE
Motion was made by Howard Shelhaas to approved the Minutes as written, second by Roy Allison – Motion approved.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE MAY 23, 2005 MEETING
Rev. Paul Brunstetter was ready to make the following presentation to the Administrative Council and place a 3 service proposal on the table but after much prayer and thought he decided we are not ready to do that so that did not happen at this meeting. Rev. Brunstetter does not want to push us toward something we are not ready for but would rather 1^st UMC to arrive at a consensus in order to do what God would want us to do. The following is the outline version of the PowerPoint presentation Paul planned for his proposal:	PRESENTATION OF 3 SERVICES / PROPOSAL FOR TASK TEAM
Inspiring Worship: Fulfilling Our Mission · Adding a Third Sunday Morning Worship Service Administrative Council 9/26/05 Our Mission To equip and deploy faithful followers of Jesus Christ
Questions we must answer: · Do I believe in the mission of the church? · Do I believe First Church has something unique to offer: · Do I believe we have the potential to grow 10% each year? · Do I want to? (i.e. Am I willing to whatever it takes to bring seekers to a relationship with Jesus Christ and grow our church?) Theological Foundation · “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 80% Rule · Bottom line: Newcomers are being turned away · 10:50 a.m. Worship Service is full and has not grown in 3 - 4 years · 8:45 a.m. Worship Service is at 50% capacity and will stop growing within 2 - 3 years at our present growth rate · Sunday School space is “maxed out” Concept: 3-month pilot beginning March 1, 2006 1. Three Sunday morning worship services Ø8:15 a.m. Ø9:30 a.m. Ø11:00 a.m. (Suggested times may be adjusted for optimum flow) Three adult Sunday School hours 2. One Children’s Sunday School hour with expanded Children’s Worship opportunity · One Youth Sunday School hour · (Times to be determined) Advantages · Will immediately make room in the 11:00 a.m. worship service · Will immediately enable more Sunday School spaces and opportunities for growth · Will create the possibility of expanding our sanctuary instead of building a new building on our present parking lot Proposal	PRESENTATION OF 3 SERVICES / PROPOSAL FOR TASK TEAM continued…
Assemble an ad hoc team of 6 –8 persons now to resolve any details relating to logistics, timing of the services, internal and external traffic flow Charge this team with meeting during the next month to work through these issues Schedule a called Administrative Council meeting for October 24, 2005
Proposal (continued) Receive report from the ad hoc team at the called meeting Questions? There are many details yet to work out within our various teams. Communication lines are always open to ask questions and learn what information and input is needed and available.
Marsha Berry reviewed with the Administrative Council the make-up of the Lay Leadership Team and shared its goals, actions, and challenges. Marsha concluded her remarks with the following quote: “The point is not to get people to work, but to help them connect to the story of Jesus Christ. Our job is to develop a system of meaning and recognition that leads to a personal legacy.”	LAY LEADERSHIP TEAM
David Bratcher, chair reviewed a very long list of mission summer/fall mission projects: Youth went to St. Louis Jr. Hi went to Chattanooga 17 went to Estonia Back to School Bash at La Roca High Street Neighborhood Center #16 House for Lexington Habitat for Humanity Room in the Inn Fall/Winter program The following allocation have been made since May 23, 2005: · Additional Young Life Summer Camp Scholarship $ 300.00 · Estonia Mission project – tools $ 1,250.00 · LaRoca Back to School Bash $ 709.35 · Lexington Rescue Mission – Kitchen project $ 1,000.00 · High Street Neighborhood Center $ 3,000.00 · Lexington Habitat for Humanity $10,000.00 · Room in the Inn Fall/Winter program $ 1,000.00 Total…… $17,259.35 · Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund $40,291.22 o Health Kits 1,944.73 Total…… $38,346.49 David Bratcher presented a motion from the Mission Committee for the allocation from First UMC Endowment Foundation Mission Fund 75% of earnings through 12/31/04. Proposed to be allocated to Aldersgate Camp to assist in construction of the new lodge in the amount of $6,064.34. Motion accepted from the Committee, and seconded. Motion approved.	MISSIONS
Finance Roy Allison, chair reported the finances of the church are going along without any bumps in the road. Foster Ockerman, Jr., Scooter Leonard, and Ernie Stamper are planning to visit the bank to ask for an increase in our line of credit in order to complete things that need to be done.	REPORTS
Endowment Howard Shelhaas, chair reported the Endowment Committee has meet and agreed to plan for the development of a “heritage society” to assist in estate planning. Trustees Brenda Nally, chair reported the apartment houses have been painted, a new floor has been installed at Andover for the dance studio, and a new Upper Street sidewalk was installed. The new gathering area should be complete by October 16. Furniture has ordered and the chairs from Andover are to be used in the new worship area to see if we like that particular style. Children’s Ministry Rev. Paul Brunstetter reported for Todd Nelson the Andover Dance School has 165 students enrolled this year from last year’s 13 students. Andover Rev. Brunstetter reported for Todd Nelson, the LCC dialog ran into some obstacles and zoning issues that needed to be corrected. At the zoning meeting there was an individual who has a sizable tract of land he was willing to donate to LCA. Rev. Brunstetter believes that out of that process LCA got what they truly needed and God is doing a new thing at Andover. Patty Wilkins reported that Andover campus was used as a staging area where many people were able to pack and load health kits for hurricane victims. Other Mentions Patty Wilkins requested the assembled remember the people of Nathaniel Mission as the year cools down. Carolyn Purcell has assisted the Salvation Army with the Angel Program and in talking to the hurricane evacuees who have relocated here that most of those people are not planning to go back but plan to remain in the Lexington area through the winter.
Mary Lee Kerr thanked the Leadership Team, Choir, and all here for their willingness to serve. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. with prayer and benediction. Respectfully submitted, Joyce Miller Recording Secretary	ADJOURNMENT