September 8, 2002

Den Graeber called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m., and opened with devotions.

Pastor John Schleicher provided an overview of the results of the information gathered from our congregation since the initial “learning event” on June 22, 2002.

The overall impression that Pastor Schleicher and Pastor Marcy Miller have of our congregation after gathering all of this information is we anticipate clarity by January 2003, to determine what our goal(s) is/are, and work toward that goal, as we come together to pray and determine what it is that God has in mind for us.

Pastors Schleicher and Miller reviewed the 12 triggers of anxiety (some include money; old vs. new; staff resignation, etc.), and identified 10 of those triggers here in our congregation!  No wonder we are traumatized.  It is a time of profound change.

The meeting with the four elders helped to provide some of the dynamics from the beginning of time.  “The roots of the congregation were extremely conservative – Wisconsin Synod.”  This helps to explain some of our origination, and reminders that we don’t get rid of the past, but we need to understand it.

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED ACTION REPORT FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION.

Open Forum

Following a thorough review of the document, we had an “open forum” during which time we could address any issues.  These are the remarks:

·        I’m a new member without a family here.  What’s happening now is that this is still a family, but a different type.  We have to know that maybe some people move away, but there are still a lot of us who what to be part of a family of God. 

·        I wasn’t part of this feedback process, but a lot of these change issues (i.e. family, community, etc.) are being experienced in other areas.  I’m involved in a service organization, and membership is plummeting everywhere.  It’s not surprising that the nature of church and community functions have changed.  Our society in general has changed.  Maybe the positive is that we’re including people that perhaps we wouldn’t have before – we may be losing family, but gaining a community aspect to our church.  My kids move away, but I know somebody else’s kids.  Always a plus and a minus.

·        What struck me was the part about the youth – we’re so caught up in this.  I like your comment that maybe we need to rethink this.  That’s where our action plan will come into play, and it is a good jumping off point for us.  I want to see the youth as part of our community, not our focus.  (Pastor Schleicher indicated that, as discovered from the interviews, we might be too focused/obsessed on youth.  “There’s more than youth here.”

·        We’re always talking about OUR pastor, OUR leaders.  We need to remember that it is not OUR church, its GOD’s church, and we need to focus on God.

·        I grew up Catholic, and came to Immanuel because I wanted to experience less rigidity.  The first sermon I heard here from Pastor Rick related to today’s lifestyles, not as staunch as I was used to, but it combined both today & history.

·        If the congregation knew when the meetings were to take place during the next phase of this process, we could pray for them.  That’s important.

·        Suggestion for the groups:  I think it is important that people know who is going to be on the committee.  I believe we need diversity and different perspectives. 

·        I take objection to the statement that we need discontinue the use of the term “family.”  We need to redefine family.  You are my family!  To me, community means elected officials who raise your taxes.  I don’t want to give up the word “family,” because that’s why we are here!  Another topic: the work ahead is tough.  But, I learned more in June from our 20-minute sessions than I have in all the time we have been here.  Don’t be afraid of it, be challenged!

·        We’ve not been here all that long.  My wife has 7 siblings, and I have 2.  I believe that the terms “community” and/or “village” are the new buzzwords of our society.  We can define family however we want it.  My wife & I blended our kids.  When my wife lost one of her siblings 2 weeks ago, it was our Immanuel family who called her, sent cards, and cared for us.

·        You won’t take the “family” out of Immanuel!

We were once again asked for 16 volunteers to begin the next phase of the project.