MGLC Congregational Meeting Minutes
January 28, 2007
Call to Order - Steve Hanson started the meeting (after the potluck luncheon) by reviewing the agenda.
Opening Prayer - Pastor Durk opened in prayer.
Pastors’ Remarks –
Pastor Durk shared that he is coming up on 4 years of service to MGLC. He prayed for a challenge, with no idea what he would be stepping into – a good challenge. Highlights of the year – last year at this time middle of kicking off our capital fund appeal, good leadership – almost 1 million raised – very close to 1.2 million goal. Expect more dollars as we start breaking ground. Process of growing into the new organization – gaining clarity, increase participation and provide support from our teams. New members and baptisms – lots of non-members calling our church for baptism – great outreach opportunity for us. Some families from baptism have joined. Durk lifted up in terms of budget – feel good about ourselves – fully supporting our present staff on the general budget, in the past we have had special gifts supporting our staff. This is a big step for us as a congregation. Looking forward to a good year ahead with continued growth and more involvement. Pastor Durk asked if there were any questions for him – none.
Pastor Chris - in the building will share later.
President’s Remarks –
Steve Hanson shared that it is good to have a stable Pastoral staff in place. Thanked fellow members of council – thanked the org team that put the new structure in place. There are some bugs, but overall it is working well. It is a great time to be President of the council – making good progress. Very gratifying – members for 10 years – thank you all for being a part of the process.
Personnel Update –
Todd Treml – Chair of committee – gave an update.
Busy time for personnel – want to maintain continuity in council and leadership. On council and chair of Personnel committee there is a lot to work on. Todd Grover just completed his one-year anniversary. Ruth Blom has left and we are going to be in the process of rehiring this position – put a process in place to make this happen – but we want quality – this can take time. We want to reflect what we want from this position – children’s ministry will be involved in the process – goal is late spring. New faces – Sandy Hahn – Office Manager doing a wonderful job in the office. Jennifer Klutzke, our new Communications Coordinator working on the Messenger to helping write articles – web work coming. Two open positions – Worship Coordinator – Kathy Dom stepping down and a part time receptionist – Tanya Peplinski stepping down. Children’s – we are looking to fill that with an interim position for now until we hire permanently. Tanya Peplinski asked - Who is on Personnel Committee? Bonnie Marten, Sharon Spindler, Lori Schmidt, Todd Treml, and Pastor Durk attend all of our meetings. Clarification requested - understand that Bonnie and Sharon want to be off personnel – what is the process for replacing these positions? Need to recruit and reach out to the congregation to see who would be interested. Personnel Committee will help to find people – if people are interested in serving, Council would approve them as needed. Terry Henderson asked what are the thoughts on the part-time custodial position? Tim Brown is performing the cleaning service for us now, but is interested in stepping away – hopefully in the next few months. Steve Hanson asked if there is anyone interested in being on the personnel committee. Human Resource/Supervisor experience would be helpful. Pastor Durk also brought up a nursery coordinator position that is being looked into. Tanya asked if there is a written description of what personnel committee does? What is supervisory experience necessary? Steve Hanson answered that while it is helpful, it is not necessary. Committee is there as an advisory group – to help with hiring, performance reviews. We have a charter for Personnel, not sure that we have a written description. Sue Schwedler commented that we as a congregation need to see written description for every team and committee – so that a chairperson knows what the person does and what’s expected of them, so that people don’t come in blind or so that there are unwritten expectations that they aren’t aware of. We need to put this in place. Steve Hanson – good point – not to document everything, as some things are straight forward, but some expectations listed may be helpful. Mike Branch said in the by-laws there are some expectations listed – as things move around – it will be fine-tuned – leave it up to those groups to create their duties and have them approved by council. Sandy Hahn is working on a new chart for all the teams.
Steering Committee Update –
Greg Goeke shared the goal of the committee is to maximize the land sale. Price is the management of all financial issues – price per acre, closing costs, realtor fees. Terms – establishing closing date, etc.. survey, conditions – management of risk –title, disclosure. Any offers will require contingencies – buyer will do soil and environmental testing, secure financing, arrange for future tenants and purchasers after developed, government approvals – i.e. with the city – what are they going to build, zoning changes. Marketing to date – over 50 interested parties – six are real and viable, for example - great location for a gas station, but the city or school district wouldn’t ok that.
To date we have had multiple offers – two clear frontrunners in this process – viable projects, terms and conditions that are close – price has separated them from other participants. Council has been kept updated – somewhat of a confidential process. Council authorized that we draft a purchase agreement – we have made progress, but no signed agreement in place. We have reached some agreements – still working on risk management and previous agreements. We have given them ok to begin conversations with the city. Some things at this time that can’t be public knowledge yet – many players and pieces – any deal can fall apart and not close. There will be contingencies that have to be met. We still a long ways to go – Greg will give regular updates to the council and update the congregation as appropriate. Land is not sold until we have cash in hand. There will be notices in the paper this week – allowing them to start discussions with the city.
Cliff Ott-Oldre asked if a price has been agreed upon – what is that range? We can’t say right now – price has meet and exceeded the requirements set out by the council – the price could be affected based on some of the risks. Council has been advised that when we get qualifying offers – when this is all done – we will be happy.
Paul Backer asked about timing – one party wanted much more time. We are paying interest in debt and some property taxes – holding costs continue. Current front runner – trigger point is signed contract – certain amounts of money, earnest money will come with certain milestones and after certain dates it will become hard money. Strongly negotiated hard money and timing. We would like to build in summer and try to avoid winter costs. Some of these are conditions that need to be tweaked a little. Pushing to have a closing so we can construct this summer. We are getting close.
Kurt Schwedler asked what are some of the risks? Excess soil – need to make sure that in the document – any excess soil is the responsibility of the buyer. Lots of language about to the buyer’s best knowledge – no pollution in the soil – since we have owned the property no new pollution – can’t guarantee that farmer didn’t dump oil in the same spot – items like this still have to be worked out – there is legal representation on both sides. It gets down to what is your concern and how do we handle this. Every land deal has these issues, if we can’t find agreement, then no deal.
Mike Benson asked what would the construction time line be? That’s more a part of the facility team update.
Facility Team Update –
Greg Goeke presented on behalf of the team
In December, requested from the council that we proceed to the design development phase. Council approved and they are putting detail to the design. What is our base project – what will we do later – is what we are completing. Goal of team is to complete design phase and be ready for bidding in April. Contractor is on board and working on details of that contract. Need to sale the land so that we can move forward. About a 10 month project from breaking ground – we would love to break ground in the spring – can’t promise that today. Need to close on the land and get cash in hand. We have been trying to make this an additive process. Council has given us a budget to work within. With our lending institute – they would like us to close on the land before we being an aggressive building project.
There will be visual representations in the next few weeks – perhaps putting a perspective on the wall that will lead to our new worship space. Some in between service presentations also.
Numbers before were in the 5 million range to build. More efficient to do more at once, the new number we are looking at now is 5.4 million to do this – sanctuary, renovating of current facility, furnishings, etc… That number is based on current assumptions – bank says it is within our range – a stretch, but do able. Council and congregation extended a huge thank you to Greg for his work.
2007 Budget and 2006 Financial Overview -
Treasurer Steve Wagner presented.
Looked at our Statement of Financial Position – All Funds, December 31, 2006.
Snapshot of our financial assets and liabilities as of 12/31/06
See chart – very excited that we are under 2 million on our mortgage debt. Still paying about $15,000 a month on our debt – about what comes in with our capital campaign each month.
MGLC ended up in the black $16,000 this year.
In the narrative – tight budget – cutting back on staffing last year, and cutting back in outreach/benevolence – largely because it was the biggest pool to draw from. We tried doing special appeals. This year the thought would be is to take our surplus amount and give ½ back to benevolence and the other ½ to set it aside for capital. Going forward we would like to move our mortgage payment from a capital appeal to an operational expense. This is a gesture toward getting our debt paid off as an operational expense.
Statement of Activities - $16,556 – ½ to benevolence and ½ to capital fund. Outreach is looking at restoring the cut to Jordan New Life $5,000 and some money to Light and Life Church in DR – both were cut last year. If we restore this funding how close does this put us back – this numbers gets us to 8-9%. We budgeted 6% this year – and the other 4% to get the total – if we give this back for 2006 – we are still in the 8-9%. 2007 budget we are budgeting 8-9% - thought is to get back to the 10% and how quickly can we do it.
Motion to allocate funds as stated by Ken Turnquist, Mike Branch second. Voice vote taken – all approved.
Pledged versus non-pledged – we won’t know that this year – as we aren’t looking at pledges. See Statement of Activities. We have budgeted a 3% increase over 06 actual. We are hoping that is conservative. Mike Reichert asked what is the reasoning, other than faith, why aren’t we checking what’s being pledged? Chad Thomas – from the Stewardship Committee perspective – move from being the group that ensures that enough money comes in from the budget to a team that helps your faith to grow. It’s a paradigm shift – it is a very large leap of faith – we are going to rely on each congregational member individually. We decided to take the long term perspective – manifest through our contributions – we trust you, what you will do and your commitment to the Lord – takes away that requirement of checking the pledges. Our budget process is so reactive – with this change – it gives the council a chance to communicate here is what we want to accomplish – here is where we feel God is leading us. Pastor Durk added that it’s based on historic giving – 3% increase on the giving this year – hopefully council will have the work of spending the surplus. What is pledged is between you and God. Sue Schwedler stated that this idea is not new, Pastor Wally shared that his church used to do this. Also, Prince of Peace in Burnsville did this and giving went up 13% the first year. For some it’s freedom, no one is watching me anymore – God and I are taking care of this. We are aware of what the congregation has told us in historic giving – but here are our priorities and how we want to spend. We have had good financial reporting and better communications, if we are behind – we want to communicate the good news and the not so good news. Steve put out an e-mail to committee chairs – just because you have an amount to spend, doesn’t mean you should spend it all – be good stewards with your budgets. Question was asked about the size of our membership this year versus last year? It is about the same about 1,500 baptized members. How many people contribute? Remember that giving is based on family, not per member. Tanya Peplinski said less than 50% pledge – many won’t pledge but will give. It is estimated that 60-70% give. 20% are supporting 80% of the activity.
Monthly report will go out each month to committee chairs – this is what was spent.
Back to the report - we made up for this in Outreach and Personnel – a little behind on contributions, but more than made up for it on expenses.
See the 2007 numbers for budget – working back toward 10% in benevolence. We did add a 3 ½ % salary increase for our staff.
Tanya Peplinski asked a 3 ½% increase from 06-07, but the number goes down? Will Children’s ministry position be a full time position? Yes, it is budgeted to begin full time in June. Interim basis it is budgeted about 10 hours a week during this time.
Need a motion to approve the 2007 budget – Kurt Schwedler moved, Carla Ott-Oldre second – all approved.
Congregation Voting Members to Synod Assembly –
Synod Assembly will be held May 31 – June 2 – allowed two males and two females to go to the assembly. Jen Martinson, Candy Burns-Anderson, Patrick Bloomfield and Rick Moulton are all interested. Motions will also be accepted from the floor – hearing none -
Motion from Suzanne Wimer, second from Chris Turnquist – all approved.
Open Council and Committee Positions – May 2007 –
Rick Moulton, chair of Nominating Committee stated that we need to consider positions that are open for next year. It is a great committee – Kathy Bruha, Patty Branch – outgoing council members, Sue Schwedler, Christy Stern – members at large. One open position to fill – Jane Larson was originally on the committee, if someone would like to join we can have a nomination from the floor. No nominations received. There are three council positions to fill – Vice President, Secretary, and one at large position to fill. Committee Chairs – Caring Ministry Committee and Operations Committee (Terry Henderson took over to complete a vacated term – considering a new term).
Motion to approve minutes as published – Mike Reichert, Tom Jones second –
Discussion - Turley needs to be added to the name of our broker on page 3 – should read Colliers Turley Martin and Tucker and New Worship Director and New Worship Coordinator on page one should simple read New Worship Coordinator, scratch the director.
All approved.
New Business –
None
Closing Prayer –
Pastor Chris shared her report by giving thank yous - I give thanks to Pastor Durk for the wonderful partnership in leading and serving this congregation. And to the staff – incredible staff, tough year with transitions. Thank you to the council – we need to be strong and unified in leadership – thanks to the people for serving and to the families for sharing you with us. Thanks Kathy Dom for her service and to Jeanne Gronholm (applause all around) for keeping things together. Thank you to new talented people – Sandy and Jennifer. Steering and Building committees – thank you for all the details and thank their families too and ask God’s blessings on them.
In change remember – The Lord is near, do not worry, do not have any anxiety but with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your prayers be known and the God of peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Pastor Chris closed the meeting in prayer.
Meeting adjourned at 2:20 pm.
74 members signed in.
Submitted In His Service,
Shelly Halverson
MGLC Council Secretary