FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

LEXNGTON, KENTUCKY

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MINUTES

September 27, 2004

At 7:07 p.m. Foster Ockerman, Jr. chair, called to order the First United Methodist Church Administrative Council. Rev. Paul Brunstetter offered an opening prayer.	CONVENING THE BODY
Foster Ockerman, Jr. asked the assembled to review the minutes of the May 17, 2004 Administrative Council meeting. Sue Weant made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, second by Rev. Chuck Griffin. Motion approved.	APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Rev. Paul Brunstetter admonished the Administrative Council to hone our hearts, be sensitive. Mark 2:1-12 tells us the story of the paralytic. Jesus was becoming popular and when he returned to Capernaum the news went around that he was there and a crowd filled the house and street. While Jesus was talking four men came with their friend who was paralyzed and the friends couldn’t get him close to Jesus so they cut a hole in the roof. What kind of people could be so audacious to such a thing? At this point Rev. Brunstetter requested the Council to break into groups and discuss his question then come back together and share. The following is a list of what was shared: “What kind of people could be so audacious to such a thing?” · Care and concern for others. · Firmly believed Jesus could heal. · Impatient/impulsive because of their concern for the friend. · Desperation · Had seen other miracles before that gave them confidence. · Willing to accept the consequences for their actions. Rev. Brunstetter said a lot of what was listed were characteristics that pertain to servant leaders of the church. Jesus’ first response – “your sins are forgiven”, he new the man’s heart. Jesus used it as a teaching tool for the moment as something more important than the sickness or paralysis and to honor the faith of the four men. The four friends had the kind of faith that would knock holes in roofs. Rev. Brunstetter then shared a passage from Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybles of Willow Creek Community Church, “The local church is the hope of the world.” When we really care for people then we ourselves become like those four men to help people know the love of God and saving grace of Jesus Christ.	CENTERING TIME
Missions · David Bratcher, Chair reported the Missions Committee is presently winding down the Habitat projects and they experienced good participation. The most recent house was constructed at 915 Whitney Avenue and the dedication will be next Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The Room at the Inn Program will be starting the first Monday in November with seven churches participating through mid March depending on the weather. Other areas where we can be involved: º $4,000 for camper scholarships for Young Life Urban Ministry. º $2,000 for Teddy Ray or someone else to go to Young Life next summer. º $10,000 to the Asbury Theological Seminary Beeson Program, part of a four year program for international students. º $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity. º Estonia Church which now meets in a lady’s home. They could purchase a house for $10,000 to use for a United Methodist Church. The auction for the house was scheduled for today and if the house is purchased the committee hopes to take a team over next year to put on a new roof. The Missions Committee is requesting a total of $36,000. Foster Ockerman, Jr. asked for questions/comments. Ernie Stamper explained the requested money does not come from the budget but from Faith Promise money. Since the request is coming from committee no second is needed. Report approved. Dulaney Wood made the following motion: º The Missions Committee has the approval of the Administrative Council to issue checks from Faith Promise funds on hand for historically funded projects at the funding level previously approved for each such project without the need to obtain Council approval before doing so. Seconded by Ernie Stamper. Motion approved. Foster Ockerman, Jr., suggested to the Missions Committee that a better procedure might be to seek Council approval at the beginning of each year for funding those projects as funds become available, to which David Bratcher assented for the Committee. Finance Committee · Ernie Stamper, Chair reported the Finance Committee said we all need tangible proof. When the Finance Committee framed this budget we said let us look at all that’s going on. Who are we to say we can’t! We believe we put out a budget that God is going to be about so we instructed staff to fully load this budget so that things are appropriations. In general we are not spending all we have budgeted. The budget was generally larger due to the Andover Campus and transitional expenditures; when the Andover Campus right-of-way is sold it will help fund some of the transitional expenditures. Foster Ockerman, Jr. added, the amount of the sale of the right-of-way will be a little over $106,000 rather than $77,000. He added, the city has the money in hand and when the developer is finished the sale will be completed. There will then be a four lane divided road and they will reconstruct the Andover property driveway and an access road at the tower. Ernie continued, the Church’s income collected total is behind and spending is under. What are the fruits of our numbers? We have taken in more than we have spent. Ernie Stamper doesn’t believe there is a message of why people aren’t giving because there are a lot of people out in the pews. The Finance Committee isn’t ready to give up on this budget. Ernie admonished the Council to let the Finance Committee worry about the tangible things and you, the Administrative Council, take care of the abstracts. The parsonage fund was changed at the July 4, 2004 Charge Conference: “BE IT RESOLVED, that the general sentiment of the First Church Finance Committee, to wit, that the current bonds in the parsonage fund be sold and the proceeds invested in appreciating assets, be confirmed and that the First Church Endowment Foundation be and it is authorized and directed to sell said bonds and invest the proceeds in appreciating assets and, from time to time, such assets as the Board of Stewards in its discretion should determine.” Finance Committee report submitted, no second required. Report approved. Endowment Foundation · Howard Shellhaas, Chair reported the assessment of the foundation is good, probably a B or 3.5 on a scale of 4. The foundation portfolio grew 25% during 2002-03. The foundation Stewards are presenting two initiatives to the Administrative Council: 1. Award two $500 scholarships to two United Methodist members for the upcoming scholarship year. Applications are available and due December 1, 2004 and will be awarded in the first quarter of next year. 2. The Education Committee of the Board of Stewards plan to circulate four mailings the subject of which is wills (with a subliminal message to give to the Church). Beginning October 6 and every 5^th Wednesday the Board of Stewards will highlight a Planned Giving Program at 6:00 p.m. The first program will be a panel consisting of three attorneys – Foster Ockerman, Jr., Bob Flemming, and Missy Palmer and will be held in room 118. Endowment Foundation report submitted, no second required. Report approved. Athletics/Andover · Dulaney Wood, Chair reported a tailgate party was held out at the Andover Campus for the Louisville/UK football game with one misplaced U of L fan there. Channel 27 News was there and filmed an evening news spot. The Golf Scramble was a success and everyone had a good time. Delaney shared the Andover Campus is under used and sits empty way more than it should. Athletics/Andover report submitted, no second required. Report approved.	MINISTRY UPDATES & DECISIONS MINISTRY UPDATES & DECISIONS continued…
Prayer · Kathie Beach, Prayer Coordinator reported on a Month of Prayer. She also passed out a brochure entitled Our Prayer Ministries which contains the Prayer Ministry Mission Statement: º To provide opportunities for our people to grow in the discipline of prayer through study and ministry. The Prayer Ministry has tried to encourage the discipline of prayer and fasting through the recent Prayer and Fasting Saturday Breakfast programs. The first breakfast was for the Administrative Council, the second breakfast was for men and the third for women. Kathie also reported there are now two new classes on prayer and a group of people are seeking a small prayer group setting. There are more people who want to be involved in the Prayer Chain, Military Prayer and the National Day of Prayer. The best feed back has been the individuals who witnessed to the congregation during a recent worship service as to what prayer has meant to them. Trustees · Bill Pabian, Chair, reported the Trustees have secured an AED machine for the Church and is located near the men’s restroom on the main floor. Several individuals having been trained in its use. The Trustees have helped the choir by relocating two amplifiers. Scooter Leonard said several board members were responsible for this piece of equipment. Thanks to all.	OTHER REPORTS
10/6 Panel Discussion on Planned Estate Giving Various dates Neighborhood Groups	IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Dulaney Wood asked about the additional groups meeting on Sunday. Teddy Ray updated the Administration Council about the Intergenerational Worship on Sunday evenings. Between 120 and 130 attended the first Sunday. Cameron Mills was the kick off speaker and Teddy announced David Bratcher will be the lay-leader of the group.	WHAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE?
Rev. Paul Brunstetter shared with the Administrative Council how he was overwhelmed by First UMC’s graciousness. It has given him an appreciation and excitement of what’s to happen. Foster Ockerman, Jr. adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. followed by a closing prayer offered by Rev. Paul Brunstetter.	CLOSING REMARKS ADJOURNMENT and CLOSING PRAYER
Respectfully submitted, Joyce Miller Recording Secretary