First English Lutheran Church

Executive committee meeting summary

Jan. 14, 2008

After reviewing ministry team reports, the executive committee turned to a lengthy discussion of the end-of-year budget report. Trust fund transfers were far less than expected, and this resulted in a rather large, and unexpected, deficit. Staff agreed to work with the trust fund committee to determine whether more funds should be transferred and, if not, the executive committee authorized Brenda to withhold funds not yet distributed from the grants budget line in order to balance the end of year budget.

Pastor Detweiler then led a lengthy discussion on music staffing. He explained that the Worship Ministry Team has been discussing ways to limit music honoraria and to have better coordination oversight of the music program at the North Site. Ideas include hiring a part-time music director for the North Site and having the choirs lead music downtown more often than they do at present.

Finally, Pastor Detweiler suggested that the Council discuss the roles and responsibilities of the Council, executive committee and ministry team chairs, and perhaps charge a task force to examine the idea of shrinking the size of the Council and increasing the role of the ministry team chairs. The executive committee agreed this was a good idea to bring to the Council for discussion.

Peter Peregrine, Secretary