January 16, 2025 | Deacon Meeting Minutes
Attendance: John Genskow, Erika Zank, James Martin, Aaron Libner, Denny Denk, Del Polzin, Adam Urberg, Mark Oldenberg, Chuck Falch, Bruce Winkler
Ex-Officio: Pastor Mark Schulz, Pastor David Forke, Pastor Ethan Luhman
Absent: Gail Graese
Recording Secretary: Sue Gumz
The meeting began at 6:30 pm.
James Martin led us in a devotion
Staff Presentation:
Caleb Haack, Children’s & Family Ministry
Provided a self-introduction to the board. A strength of his is events (Loves VBS, Brick-tacular family Lego event). He is running Sunday school, helping Marlee with DC, and has started weekly family newsletters. He’s a strategic planner. Caleb is currently looking for judges for the Brick-tacular event – Fri. Feb. 22, from 5-7:30 pm. The event is for families with 1-5th graders.
Stephen Ministry Program – Lynette
Started in 2015/2016 to have lay people come alongside the pastors when life is a struggle. 50 hours of training provided. Currently, we have 26 Stephan Ministers. We have 8 new ones from the fall 2024 class. Requests come in about 2x/month. Referrals are the best, but there is a spot on the website. SM will walk with others through grieving, divorce, health issues, recovery from addictions, relationship issues, and caregiving. This is very rewarding for the Stephen ministers and there have been great bonds made between ministers. The program sends out grief support books. There are 4 head Stephen leaders. Cancer resource books are available in the church office.
Prayer Path Fundraising – Lynette
Aaron Libner made a motion to approve fundraising for the prayer path. Denny Denk seconded. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Pastoral Report and minutes from the Nov. 21, 2024 meeting
Adam Urberg made a motion to accept the minutes from the Nov. 21 meeting and the pastoral report for activity in December. Chuck Falch second. Motion carried.
Financial Report
November 2024 report has been completed. December will be presented next time. A highlight is that giving over Christmas was higher than estimated. Financials are looking better than last month with income exceeding expenses. One Fund giving is still behind budget. Mark Oldenberg made a motion to approve the financials through Nov. 30, 2024. Adam Urberg seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Review Action Items
BOD team leaders to review charter and goals (3 max) – Due Nov. 2024
DC Plan by Sept. 2024 – Due Sept. 2024 – complete
James & Mark to settle on an electronic security plan and execute this FY – March 2024
Name tags for Deacons – March 2025 – complete
Single slide for each mission partner – Due March 2025
Deacons to share my faith journey on the web site – Due Nov. 2024
Congregational get together – need a lead
Get to know your Deacon. Contact Kristin
Follow up Items
Leadership Book Study – called LEAD: 12 biblical principles… (David Tripp) will start in March. One meeting a month. Pastors would send weekly reminders about the 3 chapters for discussion. Get back to Mark by mid-February if you are interested. Books will be available as soon as we know how many want to participate.
Review of proposed Policy Changes – Bruce
The board will be asked to review the constitution and bylaw changes. Policy Team includes Bill Westerlund, Bob Solberg, Jerry Geske, and Bruce Winker.
After a policy is written, it gets approved by the congregation chair and a retired lawyer. Any changes made then go to the Bd of Deacons for review. The policy then needs congregational approval by a formal congregational meeting. After approval the policy needs to be approved by the
North WI District. Once they have made changes and approval, it comes back to the board for approval at the next business meeting.
Input on sermon/teaching topics – pastors
Pastors will be meeting soon to discuss potential topics for sermon series in the next fiscal year. Suggested topics from the board include sexual sin, pornography, human trafficking; mental health issues (ie: depression, alcoholism, parenting); deep dive into a book of the Bible (ie: Malachi); Civility, kindness topics to help ground us again. The pastors are open to suggestions at any time during the year.
New Items
Maternity Leave policy is not ready for approval yet. – Denny Denk
Non-Disclosure Agreement policy – Bruce Winkler
The team included Tonya Ida, Denny Denk and Bruce Winkler. Aaron Libner made a motion to approve the NDA policy with the agreed upon changes. See attached. Erika Zank seconded. Motion carried.
District Convention – Pastor Mark
Peace sends a pastoral delegate and a lay delegate. Typically, the lay delegate is someone on the board. Anne Hartman would be open to being a lay delegate for the convention. The dates are June 1-2, 2025. Aaron Libner made a motion that Anne Hartman be our lay delegate. Erika Zank seconded. The motion carried.
Training -Servant Leadership – Chuck Falch
Discussed the handout describing the 10 principles of servant leadership.
