A meeting of the elders council of New Life Christian Ministries was held on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 7pm, at The Bridge, 102 Bay St., Penn Twp., Butler. 

Attendance:  Elders Jim Brown, Pat Fecich (ex officio), Chris Marshall, David Norris, Frank Relihan. 

The meeting was opened with prayer by Pastor Chris.  Devotions focused on New Life’s mission statement and Jesus’ Great Commission.  The elders looked at the key components of both statements and discussed the common components in each.  The action point for each elder was to discern what he or she will specifically do in 2008 to fulfill New Life’s mission and the Great Commission.

Personnel:  Ali Campbell, nursery coordinator, will have her review on March 1 to move her to permanent employment status.  Pat will conduct the review in consultation with nursery volunteers for their input. 

Compensation increases for the ministry staff will be considered at the end of the second quarter.

Corporate:  Per action of the elders board at its December 12, 2007 meeting, a letter was sent to covenanting disciples who did not sign the Discipleship Recommitment Sheet in January 2007.  The letter asked them to return an enclosed CD Recommitment card by December 31, 2007.  If that card was not received, they would be removed as a CD at New Life.  The following did not return cards:  Adam and Janeen Dickson and Shawn Mangol.  They were removed as covenanting disciples at New Life.

Carry-Over:  Permission was given to share information on the Angel Food Ministry (high quality food provided at low cost to anyone – no income guidelines) offered at CrossWay Church in Valencia and Christ@Calvary Church in Butler. 

127 Knoch Rd.:  It was decided to hold additional outdoor worship celebrations at the property this summer.  Dates will coincide with the scheduled activities/picnics:  June 1, July 20, August 17, September 14.  There will be a fall festival at the property on October 19 – but no worship there on that date.

Dave mentioned that the over night camping was a nice event in 2006 and would like to see it return.  Pat will advertise the event and see if anyone is willing to take leadership for it. 

Knoch:  While we are at the South Butler Primary School, we are saving $85 per Sunday on rent.  Multi-purpose room is $40 per Sunday vs auditorium at $100 per Sunday.  We are paying $25 for the nursery room (same as at high school) and we are not charged the $25 per Sunday for use of the hospitality space in the high school hallway.  Security and custodian fees are the same.  There are advantages to SBPS:  people are more engaged and can interact better due to closeness of the room.  The acoustics are better.  Some disadvantages:  lighting is poor and the seats are not comfortable; takes longer to set-up.

Calling of Elders/Deacons:  Elders for children’s nurture; fellowship; pastoral care; stewardship are to be called.  Deacons for nursery and childcare; building and grounds; set-up and transportation; welcome are to be called.  A fifth member of the elders council is to be called. 

CLUB:  Pastor Chris asked that – if feasible – the ditch be enclosed before the first event at 127 (June 1).  Dan Sowers and Pastor Chris did an elevation of the property.  The front of the building will need to face in the direction of Knoch High School.  A revised building design/prototype will be developed as soon as possible.

Attendance and Financial Reports:  The average attendance for 2007 was 171.37 (177.30 in 2006).  Balance in sharing fund, as of January 6, 2008, is $12,702.82 ($19,041.74 in 2007).  Balance in CLUB is $40,375.83 and $50,401.74 in CLUB savings. 

Pat distributed 2007 Balance Sheets and Profit and Loss Statements for the elders review as well as the Annual Report (will be distributed to the church family on January 20.)

Other:  Pastor Chris shared that Rick Carlton left a voice mail sharing that his battery in his motorized wheelchair (his only means of transportation) needs replaced.  It costs $318.00.  Pastor Chris will get the make and model number of the battery and Frank will see if he can get it a lower cost.  The council authorized up to $318.00 to be spent from Greatest Need Fund to replace the battery.

A Men’s Fraternity Group will meet at the former Transylvania Bible College on Saturday, 8am – 10am.  The group is inter-denominational and will meet for 18 weeks – taking a summer break.  All men are invited to participate.

Next Meeting:  The next meeting of the elders council will be on Wednesday, February 13, 8pm (following the elders board meeting at 7pm) at The Bridge.

The leadership retreat will be January 18-19, 2008 at the home of Fred and Pat Hust. 

There was no additional business and the meeting was adjourned with prayer by Jim.

Respectfully submitted,