Council President Wayne Christiansen called the meeting to order at 12:05 and opened with a prayer.  There were 50 individuals in attendance.  The minutes of the November 3, 2002 Annual Congregational Meeting were read by Barbara Paulins.

MOTION by Dan Landry, SECONDED by Pat Anderson:

TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 3, 2002 MEETING AS WRITTEN.

MOTION CARRIED.

Wayne asked for any other nominations from the floor for Church Council, in addition to those printed on the ballot.  None received.

MOTION by Orv Erickson, SECONDED by Donna Gibbons:

            TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS FOR 2004 COUNCIL POSITIONS.

MOTION CARRIED.

Council Member Ballots: 42 voters, 1 abstention.  All names on the ballot were approved unanimously.  Council members for 2004 are Teresa Barcy, Heath Buckley, Bob Carter, Matt Cermak, Jennifer Dodge, Orv Erickson, Dan Landry, Rick Merrifield, Greg Osburn, Barb Paulins, Bill Paulins, Mike Pitchford, Mike Proper, Britten Riggs and John VanHoesen

Larry Kruth, Management Chair, presented the proposed budget for 2004.  Larry reviewed the line items by committee.  Donna Gibbons from Health Ministry provided an overview of the proposed changes to the Health Ministry budget. 

Significant discussion ensued regarding the impact of this position on our budget as well as our ministries.  Several attendees provided their position on several issues surrounding this item, including their opinion regarding the cost of funding this position and the economic impact on our congregation, as well as the value of the health ministry team and parish nurse.   Larry provided details on the method used to determine the pay for this salaried position (comparison with other congregations, etc.).

Additionally, we briefly touched on the possibility for the development of a youth minister/assistant pastor position in the future.  We are not ruling that option out – rather, we are doing appropriate research to be certain we know what it is that we want, and can provide the support for the individual that may fill that role.

Other items of discussion included the notation that salary increases are approximately 3% across the board.

Further discussion included the status of the parsonage.  We were advised that the tax implication for using it for anything other than residential housing is prohibitive. 

Larry briefly reviewed the concept of “giving units,” and explained that we have approximately 150 giving units out of 240 households for 500+ members of our congregation.  The average annual income in Grand Ledge is approximately $68,000.  Based upon each giving unit, tithing 10% our total income should be around $900,000 annually, based on our giving units.  Please keep that in mind when considering our potential.

No other questions were presented on the budget, and votes were cast. 

It was again requested that for the next year we put actual spending on proposed budgets so we know what we’ve spent.

The current mortgage information was discussed.  Wayne advised that as of 10/1/03 we owe $391,000 approximately.  We refinanced from 7.75% to 5 7/8%.  The result is a reduction of $566 in monthly payment.  We will use this to build up our equity for the mortgage payment.

Ballots were then cast, and the results were: 48 ballots cast: 43 year, 5 no.  2004 Budget approved as presented.

Fred Koos provided an update on the Vision Committee.  After much studying and praying, the proposed vision statement (to be presented to various committees and the congregation in early 2004) is:

A spiritual community that nurtures a life-changing intimate relationship in our daily walk with Jesus, and invites participation through the sharing of our gifts with others.”

MOTION: Fred Koos, SECONDED by Jan Martinich:

THAT COUNCIL ESTABLISHES A TASK FORCE TO STUDY OUR NEEDS FOR THE PROPERTIES/BUILDINGS/FACILITIES AS IT RELATES TO OUR MISSION.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

It was agreed that we would commit council to completing this task within a reasonable amount of time.

Unanimously carried.

MOTION by Orv Erickson, SECONDED by Bob Kenworthy:

      TO ADJOURN THIS MEETING.

UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

We closed with the Lord’s Prayer @ 1:25 p.m.